The NMSDC + Lowe’s Certification Reimbursement Initiative
T H E I N I T I A T I V E
Committed to supporting economic development in the diverse communities they serve, Lowe’s Companies, Inc., knows that when they help underrepresented businesses succeed, they also generate local jobs, income, and tax revenue. Through its partnership with the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), they are creating a pipeline for wealth creation by supporting the certification of minority business enterprises (MBEs) who can then take advantage of the NMSDC programs that will help them develop the strategies, capacity, and network to access potential procurement and partnership opportunities.
“Lowe’s recognizes the overwhelming need to support diverse businesses across the country and we recognize that being certified as a minority-owned business creates opportunities,” said Tabatha Watson, Supplier Diversity Manager. “Certification gives minority-owned businesses greater opportunities to build relationships with corporations and gain greater visibility to bid opportunities.”
R E I M B U R S E M E N T
E L I G I B I L I T Y
Eligibility to participate in Lowe’s recruitment and retention certification reimbursement program requires that you and your company meet the following requirements:
Revenue under $3M.
Retail business (preferred but not exclusive).
1st priority will be Lowe’s potential, current or expired suppliers.
Must be United States citizens.
Must be at least 51% minority owned, managed, and controlled.
Must be an independent for-profit enterprise and physically located in the U.S. or its trust territories.
Management and daily operations must be exercised by the minority ownership member(s).
This program will reimburse 2 years of certification fees.
W H Y N M S D C
C E R T I F I C A T I O N
M A T T E R S
Being certified by NMSDC means that you’ve been recognized as one of the more than 15,000 high-performing companies across the United States that have completed what’s widely considered to be the most rigorous MBE qualifying process. That matters because more than 1,700 local and national corporate members depend on certified MBEs and the integrity of NMSDC’s certification.
Corporate members count on the national organization and affiliate regional councils to be their trusted partners in helping to develop and connect MBEs with them to advance their companies’ commitment to economic equity, strengthen communities, and create employment opportunities for people of color while also furthering corporate diversity and inclusion initiatives and optimizing supply chain resilience.
A B O U T N M S D C
For the last 50 years, the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) has been advocating for the inclusion of ethnic minority business enterprises (MBEs). That’s because we believe every business deserves an unbiased chance. And it’s why our goal of ensuring representation and economic equity for minority-owned businesses of all sizes is at the heart of everything we do.
Our strength is in our network of 15,000+ certified MBEs, 1,700+ national and local corporate members, 23 regional affiliate councils, and 5 international affiliates that, together, serve as the growth engine for Asian-Indian, Asian-Pacific, Black, Hispanic, and Native American MBEs. That same network also serves as the engine for the impact that activates the commitment of our corporate members nationwide through development, engagement, and connection opportunities with NMSDC and its regional affiliates.
R E I M B U R S E M E N T
P R O C E S S
After completing and submitting the form below, you will receive an email confirmation that your reimbursement request has been received and is being reviewed.
NMSDC will follow up shortly thereafter with another email notifying you of one of the following outcomes:
You are eligible for the reimbursement program and are being connected to the appropriate regional affiliate council to begin the certification process.
You are eligible for a different reimbursement program for which NMSDC determined you qualify and are being connected to the appropriate regional affiliate council to begin the certification process.
You can move forward with certification but are not eligible for certification reimbursement.
You are not eligible for reimbursement or certification.
Once your certification is approved with the regional affiliate council and you receive your certification, you will then be provided with a link to the NMSDC form you will need to submit for your reimbursement.
S U B M I S S I O N F O R M