Georgia Women's Business Council

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National Certification as a Women's Business Enterprise

The Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) provides the most widely recognized and respected certification in the United States for Women's Business Enterprises (WBE). Through Georgia Women's Business Council (GWBC), a partner organization of WBENC, your business can apply for a certification that is accepted by over 700 major corporations, non-profit organizations, as well as many local, state, and federal government agencies. WBENC certification is an important marketing tool for expanding your company's visibility among and access to decision makers in supplier diversity and procurement offices. Many corporations require that you be WBENC certified before providing access to their supplier diversity programs.

Benefits of Certification
As a certified WBE, you will be entitled to:

List your business profile in WBENCLink, an internet database that is accessed by hundreds of corporations throughout the United States
Have access to a directory of corporations accepting WBENC certification
Use a special WBENC seal on your letterhead, business cards, and other marketing materials
Participate in networking events, matchmaker meetings and trade shows with other WBEs, corporate and government buyers
Become a member of the local Forum, which advocates on behalf of WBEs and facilitates corporate business opportunities

Additionally, WBENC has several excusive initiatives for WBEs including WEBuy@wbenc.org, an electronic marketplace utilized by corporate members, government agencies and other WBEs to post RFPs and RFIs, scholarships for executive management programs including the TUCK/WBENC Executive management Program and the nation's largest conference and business fair for WBEs.

Certification Criteria

At least fifty-one percent ownership by a woman or women
Proof of effective management and control of the business
Documented evidence of contribution of capital and/or expertise
U.S. Citizenship or Legal Resident Alien status

GWBC maintains a stringent screening process under the guidelines of WBENC's Standards & Procedures, which ensures that all firms are legitimately owned, managed and controlled by women. All applicants are encouraged to read WBENC's Standards & Procedures.

The Application Process
You may review WBENC's certification criteria, application instructions and apply online by visiting www.wbenclink.org. Once your completed application has been submitted online, you will receive electronic notification from the website and from GWBC, instructing you where to mail your supporting documentation and non-refundable processing fee. The process takes approximately 60-90 days once the application and all documentation have been received. The certification is valid for a period of one year, at which time you must submit a recertification application and affidavit to ensure the continuity of your certified status. An on-site visit is conducted initially and every other year, at a minimum.

Please mail all documents and non refundable $500 processing fee to:

Georgia Women's Business Council
1201 Peachtree Street NE
400 Colony Square, Suite 200
Atlanta, GA 30361

CLICK HERE for Instruction and Application

Re-Certification
To remain a certified Women Business Enterprise of WBENC, annual re-certification is a requirement. This will ensure continuity of your certified status. A site visit to your business will be conducted every three (3) years as part of the re-certification process.

A re-certification application must be completed and mailed in to the GWBC office with required documents. The re-certification application is now an online process. CLICK HERE Please submit all information no later than the third Friday of the month prior to your expiration.

Required Attachments for Recertification:

Documentation on the ownership, management or business structure of your company if there have been any changes since you were last certified or recertified (i.e. new or canceled stock certificates, etc.)
Previous year federal tax return completed and filed with the IRS, (no state) together with all schedules and attachments as submitted to the IRS or evidence of extension.
Most recent financial statements (Balance Sheet and Profit & Loss Statement). Financial statement should match information and dates of last tax return.
W2's for all owners, directors or officers for the prior year
Most recent board of director's meeting minutes (applies to all corporations
Most recent shareholders' meeting minutes or member meeting minutes. (applies to all corporations and LLC)
Any amendments to the corporate bylaws, LLC or partnership agreement
New business licenses (if applicable)
Resumes for any new owners or officers
Copy of current lease agreement (if renewed since last certificate was issued)

Please mail all documents and non refundable $300 processing fee to:
Georgia Women's Business Council
1201 Peachtree Street NE
400 Colony Square, Suite 200
Atlanta, GA 30361
Click Here for Instructions and Application

Any documentation listed above, not submitted, needs to have written explanation as to why.

CLICK HERE for Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)