Small businesses that meet at least one of the sets of criteria outlined below qualify for participation in Penn State's Supplier Diversity Program.

Disadvantaged or Minority-Owned Business

For a privately owned business to qualify as a disadvantaged or minority-owned business, it must be at least 51 percent owned, controlled, and actively managed by one or more minority group members. Publicly owned businesses qualify if at least 51 percent of the business' stock is owned by one or more minority group members.

For the purposes of Penn State's Supplier Diversity Program, minority group members include African Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Native Americans.

Woman-Owned Business

For a privately owned business to qualify as a woman-owned business, it must be at least 51 percent owned, controlled, and actively managed by a woman or women. Publicly owned businesses qualify if at least 51 percent of the business' stock is owned by a woman or women.

HUBZone-Certified Business

A business qualifies for HUBZone certification if it is located in a Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) and at least 35 percent of its employees reside in a HUBZone.

Find out if your business is located in a HUBZone.

Veteran-Owned Business

To qualify as veteran-owned, a business must be at least 51 percent owned, controlled, and actively managed by a veteran or veterans.

Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business

To qualify as a service-disabled veteran-owned business, a business must be at least 51 percent owned, controlled, and actively managed by one or more service-disabled veterans.

HRDC Offers Supplier Diversity Seminar for Faculty and Staff
Penn State’s Human Resource Development Center (HRDC) offers a seminar entitled “Understanding Supplier Diversity Related to Purchasing Decisions.” Taught by Duane Bullock, manager of the Supplier Diversity Program, the seminar is open to Penn State faculty and staff. (more)