WBENC PRIVACY POLICY

Last Updated: October 1, 2026

INTRODUCTION

The Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (“WBENC,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) is committed to protecting the privacy of your personal information. This Privacy Policy (“Policy”) describes how WBENC collects, uses, discloses, and protects personal information obtained through: (i) our website at www.wbenc.org and all related pages (our “Website”); (ii) WBENCLink 2.0, our member portal and certified-supplier database platform (“WBENCLink”); (iii) WBENC-hosted events, conferences, and programs (collectively, “Events”); and (iv) any other WBENC services or programs in which you participate (collectively with the Website, WBENCLink, and Events, our “Services”).

This Policy applies to all individuals who interact with WBENC through the Services, including: (i) website visitors; (ii) WBENC-Certified businesses (Women’s Business Enterprises, or “WBEs”) and individuals completing or maintaining certification; (iii) Corporate Members, Government Members, and their authorized users; (iv) and event attendees, speakers, sponsors, and exhibitors.

By using our Services, you acknowledge our collection, use, and disclosure of your personal information as described in this Policy. If you do not agree with this Policy, please do not provide your Personal Information to us or use our Services.

WHAT IS “PERSONAL INFORMATION”?

“Personal information” means information that would allow someone to identify or contact you, including, for example, your full name, postal address, telephone number, facsimile number, company name and/or title, Internet Protocol (“IP”) address, and email address. Personal information does not include publicly available information from government records, or deidentified or aggregated information that, by itself, does not permit the identification of any specific individual.

1. WHAT INFORMATION WE COLLECT

1.1 Information You Provide Directly

The type and extent of personal information we collect from you depends on how you use our Services. In general, you may browse the informational portions of our Website without providing personal information beyond what we collect automatically (see Section 1.2). However, if you request information or materials, register for or attend an Event, create an account, or otherwise engage with our Services, we may ask you to provide:

  • contact information, such as your name, email address, company name and title, postal address, and phone number;
  • financial account information, if a service or program requires payment;
  • account credentials, such as a username and password for WBENCLink or other WBENC platforms; and
  • any other information you choose to submit through forms, surveys, email, or other communications with WBENC.

1.2 Certification-Related Information

If you are applying for or maintaining WBENC certification, we may collect additional personal information required to verify eligibility and ownership. This may include:

  • government-issued identification documents, such as a passport, birth certificate, driver’s license, naturalization papers, or green card;
  • personal federal tax returns (if your business is less than three years old; you may redact all Social Security numbers and dependent names);
  • personal information contained in business debt instruments, equipment rental and purchase agreements, or real estate leases;
  • personal information relating to investment by business owners, which may include canceled checks;
  • personal information relating to employees, including name, title/position, hours worked, compensation, gross earnings, Social Security earnings, Medicare earnings, other income, and federal and state taxes withheld; and
  • personal information contained in agreements between the company and other individuals or third parties.

1.3 Event and Program Registration Information

When you register for a WBENC Event or program, we collect the information necessary to facilitate your participation. This may include your name, contact information, company affiliation, title, dietary or accessibility requirements, and payment information. We may use event registration information to build a profile to provide you with information about future events, programs, and services that may be of interest to you, and to send you marketing and promotional materials relating to WBENC’s mission and offerings.

Certain WBENC Events may use third-party registration, logistics, or event-management platforms. When you register for or interact with an event through such a platform, the third-party provider may independently collect personal information subject to its own terms of use and privacy policy. WBENC is not responsible for the privacy practices of any third-party event platform. We encourage you to review the applicable third-party privacy policy before submitting information through those platforms. Where WBENC receives personal information from a third-party event platform on your behalf, we will handle that information in accordance with this Policy.

1.4 Information Collected Through Third-Party Platforms.

In connection with our programs, services, and operations, WBENC may collect personal information through third-party platforms and tools that support WBENC’s program and service delivery, including survey tools, form builders, video conferencing platforms, learning management systems, and similar services. When you provide information through such a platform in connection with a WBENC program, service, or activity, the third-party platform provider may independently collect personal information subject to its own terms of use and privacy policy. We encourage you to review the applicable third-party privacy policy before submitting information through those platforms. To the extent WBENC receives personal information from or through a third-party platform acting on WBENC’s behalf, that information will be handled by WBENC in accordance with this Policy.

1.4 Subscription and Communications Information

If you subscribe to receive WBENC newsletters, updates, or other communications, we will collect your name, email address, company name, and any other information you provide on the subscription form, which may be compiled into a profile.

1.5 Text Messaging (SMS)

If you opt in to text messages, we collect your mobile telephone number and a record of your consent, including the date and time you opted in, the version of our Terms you agreed to, and the network address of the device you used. We also keep a log of messages sent to you, their delivery status, and any replies you send to our number, such as STOP or HELP.

We use your mobile number only to send account, security, and service notifications described in our Terms of Use, and to honor your opt-out. We do not use your mobile number for marketing or promotional text messages unless you separately and expressly consent to them.

To deliver text messages, we share your mobile number and message content with our platform service provider, ImpactHub (IGP US, LLC), and its messaging service provider, which act on our instructions and may not use this information for their own purposes. No mobile information will be shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes. Text-messaging originator opt-in data and consent will not be shared with any third parties, other than the service providers identified above solely for the purpose of delivering messages.
We keep your consent record and message log for as long as you have an account and for [X] years afterward, so that we can demonstrate that messages were sent with your consent. If you opt out, we keep your number on a suppression list so that we do not text it again.

You can opt out at any time by replying STOP to any message or by turning off text messages in your ImpactHub for WBENC profile. You can update your mobile number in your profile or by contacting us at wbenccustsvc@wbenc.org.

1.6 Employment Applications

If you apply for a position at WBENC, you may provide us with personal information when you contact us through our HR email address. Information collected in connection with your job application will be used solely to assess your qualifications for a position at WBENC.

1.7 Information We Collect Automatically
As you navigate and interact with our Website or WBENCLink, we may use automatic data-collection technologies to collect certain information about your device, browsing actions, and patterns. This may include:

  • device data, including your IP address and general location, operating system type and version, device manufacturer and model, browser type and version, screen resolution, unique identifiers (including identifiers used for advertising purposes), language settings, and network information;
  • online activity data, including the pages or screens you viewed, the time and date of your visit, how long you spent on a page or screen, the website you visited before browsing to our Services, navigation paths between pages or screens, and whether you have opened our marketing emails or clicked links within them;
  • access times and duration of access; and
  • other clickstream data and browsing habits.

We collect this information using cookies and similar tracking technologies, as described in Section 1.8 below. We also use third-party analytics services, such as Google Analytics, that may collect this information when you visit our Website.

1.8 Cookies and Tracking Technologies
We may use browser cookies, which are small pieces of information stored on your device, not on our servers, to identify you while you use our Website, enhance your experience, and support the registration system and other features. Cookies make your internet experience quicker and more convenient.

Managing cookies. Most browsers are initially set to accept cookies. If you prefer, you may set your browser to notify you when you receive a cookie, refuse cookies, delete cookies after visiting our site, or use your browser’s private/anonymous browsing mode. Please note that if you decline or delete cookies, some parts of our Website or Services may not function properly.

For specific browser instructions, consult your browser’s help file or technical support documentation.

2. HOW WE USE YOUR INFORMATION

We use personal information we collect through our Services for the following purposes:

  • Delivering our Services and programs. We use personal information to administer, operate, and improve our Services, including certifying and recertifying WBEs, managing member accounts on WBENCLink, facilitating Event registration and logistics, and fulfilling other program obligations.
  • Communications and marketing. We may use personal information to send you newsletters, updates, and information about WBENC programs, events, and services that may be of interest to you or your company, by email, postal mail, or telephone. If you have voluntarily participated in a survey to provide feedback on our Services, we will use that information solely for the purpose for which it was collected and will not use it for direct marketing or disclose it to third parties.
  • Analytics and improvement. We use personal information on an aggregated, deidentified basis for internal marketing research, site analytics, and management reporting, and to operate, evaluate, and improve our Website and Services. Aggregated information does not identify any specific individual.
  • Individual- Level Data Products. For certified businesses and WBEs, we may use your certification and business profile information, including data submitted through the WBENC Certification Application Process, to develop individual-company supplier intelligence products, including readiness scores, supplier ratings, and benchmarking insights (“Individual-Level Products”). These products reflect WBENC’s proprietary analysis of your submitted data and are intended to increase the visibility and competitiveness of certified businesses in AI-driven and data-enabled procurement environments. Individual-Level Products may be shared with Corporate Members, Government Members, and authorized partners as described in Section 4. They are commercial data products and do not constitute a determination of your certification eligibility, program qualification, or membership status.
  • Safety and legal compliance. We may use and disclose personal information to: (a) satisfy applicable laws, regulations, legal process, or valid governmental requests; (b) enforce the terms of use applicable to our Services; (c) detect, prevent, or mitigate fraud or security or technical issues; or (d) protect against imminent harm to the rights, property, or safety of WBENC, our members, or the public, as required or permitted by law.

3. USE OF AI TECHNOLOGIES

WBENC may utilize artificial intelligence and machine learning tools in connection with our Services that may process your personal information. We use these technologies to improve the quality, relevance, and delivery of our Services and to support effective outreach to our members and constituents. Specifically, AI tools may be used to:

  • enhance your experience with the Services, including determining the order of content and communications you see and summarizing information relevant to your membership or participation;
  • interact with you, respond to your inquiries, and assist you through automated messaging tools, chatbots, and virtual assistants;
  • personalize our outreach and communications based on your activity, preferences, and membership profile, including tailoring program and event recommendations; and
  • summarize, analyze, and aggregate data derived from your personal information for WBENC’s business purposes, including service improvement, trend analysis, member engagement reporting, and operational optimization.

No decisions regarding your eligibility for WBENC programs, certification, or membership are made solely by automated processes without human review and oversight. Any AI service providers that process your personal information on our behalf are bound by contractual obligations to maintain the confidentiality and security of such data and to process it only in accordance with our instructions and applicable laws. Separately, WBENC may use artificial intelligence and machine learning tools to develop Individual-Level Products derived from your certification and business profile data. These Individual-Level Products are commercial data products and are analytically and operationally distinct from eligibility determinations.

4. HOW WE SHARE YOUR INFORMATION

WBENC may share personal information in the following circumstances:

Service providers and vendors. We may share personal information with third-party partners, vendors, and service providers who assist us in delivering or administering our Services and programs. These parties are permitted to use personal information only in connection with the delivery or administration of those Services and programs on our behalf, and are contractually required to maintain appropriate security, privacy, confidentiality and data protection controls. Such providers are prohibited from using personal information for any purpose other than performing services on WBENC’s behalf and in accordance with WBENC’s instructions and applicable law.

Analytics and advertising partners. We may share information collected through automatic data-collection practices, such as your IP address and browsing data, with online analytics platforms such as Google Analytics to help us analyze traffic and improve the Services. WBENC may also disclose aggregated, deidentified, or anonymized information derived from user data for industry research, trend analysis, and benchmarking reporting purposes. Such aggregated information does not identify any specific individual or business.

Individual-Level WBENC Products. For certified businesses and WBEs, we may share Individual-Level Products with Corporate Members, Government Members, and authorized strategic partners for the purpose of supporting supplier engagement, procurement decision-making, and certified business visibility. Recipients of Individual-Level Products, including Individual-Level WBENC Outputs, are subject to data protection and use-restriction obligations imposed by WBENC through its Terms & Conditions and/or applicable written agreements. Individual-Level Products will not include raw personal identification documents, such as government-issued identification or personal tax returns, submitted during the certification process. Where applicable law requires notice, consent, or other procedural steps before sharing Individual-Level Products, WBENC will comply with those requirements.

Corporate transactions. We may share your information with another nonprofit organization in the event WBENC is transferred to another organization. Such sharing may occur prior to the consummation of any such transaction.

Legal compliance and safety. We may disclose personal information as described in Section 2 above when required by law or to protect WBENC or others.

Third-party links. This Policy applies only to our Services. If you visit or provide information on third-party websites or platforms accessible through links on our Website or WBENCLink, those sites’ own privacy policies govern. We encourage you to review the privacy policy of any third-party site before providing information. WBENC is not responsible for the privacy practices of any third-party sites.

5. YOUR CHOICES REGARDING YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION

5.1 Marketing Communications
If you do not wish to receive marketing materials or communications from WBENC, or do not want your contact information disclosed to third parties except as necessary to deliver or administer our Services, you may opt out by contacting us at wbenccustsvc@wbenc.org.

5.2 Text Message Choices
If you have opted in to text messages, you can opt out at any time by replying STOP to any message or by turning off text messages in your ImpactHub for WBENC profile. You can update your mobile number in your profile or by contacting us at wbenccustsvc@wbenc.org.

5.3 Correcting, Updating, and Deleting Your Information
You may request access to, correction of, or deletion of your personal information by contacting us at wbenccustsvc@wbenc.org. For verification and security purposes, we may ask you to provide certain information before we process your request.

Please note that:
if you request deletion of personal information, we will no longer use or disclose it in the ordinary course of business; however, it may remain stored in archival databases, and we will modify such databases in accordance with applicable law; and because we need certain personal information to deliver our Services, deleting that information may limit your ability to receive or participate in some Services or programs.

6. SECURITY
We have established, and work to maintain, reasonable administrative, technical, and physical security procedures designed to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and security of your personal information. Our measures include encryption of sensitive information in transit, Secure Socket Layer (SSL) technology, firewalls, and offline safeguards such as limiting employee access to personal information on a need-to-know basis and maintaining regular training on our security practices and privacy policies.

However, no method of transmission over the internet or method of electronic storage is completely secure. While we take steps to protect your information, we cannot guarantee the security of our Website, WBENCLink, or any information you provide to us.

Our Services are maintained in the United States of America. By using our Services, you authorize and agree that your personal information may be sent to and stored in the United States and used in accordance with this Policy.

7. CHANGES TO THIS POLICY
We may amend or update this Policy at any time. We will post any revisions to this Policy on our Website and, where applicable, on WBENCLink, so that all users are aware of the changes. The date this Policy was last revised is identified at the top of this document. Your continued use of our Services following the posting of changes constitutes your acceptance of the revised Policy. Where required by applicable data protection laws, we will also seek your consent to any material changes that affect how we use your personal information.
You are responsible for ensuring that we have a current, active, and deliverable email address for you, and for periodically visiting our Website and this Policy to check for any changes.

8. CONTACT US
We hope this Policy helps you understand how WBENC handles your personal information. If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us at:

WBENC – Privacy Inquiries
1120 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 200
Washington, DC 20036
Email: wbenccustsvc@wbenc.org