Supplier Diversity

The Supplier Diversity Program (SDP) of the Red Cross is designed to strengthen our organization and our communities by proactively seeking women, minorities, disabled veterans, veterans and other business enterprise suppliers (WMDVBE) who represent the communities we serve. By providing equitable opportunities for WMDVBE suppliers, the Red Cross derives multiple benefits. Not only do we contribute to the economic vitality of the communities we serve but also our organization benefits directly from a broader selection of competitively priced goods and services. 

Benefits of the Red Cross SDP include: 

• Advocacy - Internally, the Supplier Diversity team works to ensure that diverse suppliers gain visibility and have 100% inclusion in all sourcing, contracting, and procurement decisions made by SCM. 
• Outreach - Our team actively seeks to establish relationships with diverse suppliers through business networking, business fairs, matchmaker sessions, supplier diversity workshops, electronic and print communications, and participation in supplier events nationwide. 
• Certification Support - We encourage and direct suppliers to gain certification of their WMDVBE or small business status from National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), Women’s Business Enterprise Council (WBENC), National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), National Veterans Business Development Council (NVBDC), United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC), US Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce (USPAACC), and Disability:IN.
• Mentoring - The Supplier Diversity team advises and guides diverse suppliers to prepare and position their businesses for maximum access to bid and contract opportunities with the Red Cross. 
• Referral - Our team actively communicates with WMDVBE’s by referring relevant Requests for Proposal and other potential business leads.