1. Becoming a US Business Leadership Network Affiliate

2. What is a Business Leadership Network (BLN) Affiliate?
A BLN Affiliate of the USBLN is a local organization that is committed to advancing the mission of the USBLN and seeks to advance disability inclusion within workplaces, supply chains and marketplaces. A BLN Affiliate is a business-led, business-to-business educational organization, often led by a lead employer.

3. What is a BLN continued?
By participating in a business-to-business dialog, business leaders learn how to leverage their organizations for success. Being a part of the BLN sends a message to the community that the business is committed to including people with disabilities in the workforce, supply chain and marketplace

4. The Process of Affiliation
A formal Letter of Intent for Affiliation is required and must list 6 business partner representatives and be signed by your primary contact and one other business partner representative (not-service providers or disability organizations)
In response to your inquiry the Director of Affiliate Relations will provide the Letter of Intent for your completion
A non-refundable processing fee of $300, payable to USBLN, must accompany the Letter of Intent when submitted

5. Process of Affiliation (Cont.)
The Director of Affiliate Relations will review the Letter of Intent. If there are questions or concerns, the primary contact will be contacted for further clarification. If approved, the newly forming BLN Affiliate will receive a written notice of approval and will be considered an Affiliate in Development

6. Affiliate Application
With the written notice of approval of the Letter of Intent, the Affiliate in Development will receive an Affiliate Application, which includes the Application and details of what must be completed and submitted to the USBLN Director of Affiliate Relations within six months of the date on the written notice of approval of the Letter of Intent

7. The Affiliate application process will require decisions about the following:
Operational and Governance Structure (Select either A or B)
Operate and be governed as a Tax-Exempt Non-Profit Corporation/Organization (Preferred and recommended!)
Operate and be governed under a Fiscal Sponsorship arrangement with an existing, well-established tax-exempt non-profit corporation as a sponsor

8. Tax-Exempt Non-Profit Corporation/Organization (Preferred and recommended!)
*Name a founding Board of Directors to include 3 officers as required by the non-profit corporation application for your state
*Form a Non-Profit Corporation/Organization following the guidelines of the state in which the Affiliate’s main office is located. (For guidelines see the Secretary of State or other state government websites about forming a non-profit corporation or consult an attorney)

9. Tax-Exempt Non-Profit Corporation/Organization (Cont)
*Apply to be Tax-Exempt Corporation/Organization (501 c3) with the IRS following their requirements (see IRS.gov/501c3)
*To be tax-exempt within your state check and follow the guidelines of the State taxing authority (not required in all states

10. Fiscal Sponsorship:
An arrangement with an existing, well-established tax-exempt non-profit corporation as a sponsor
*The established tax-exempt non-profit corporation must agree to be the Fiscal Sponsor of the Affiliate in Development
*A written agreement (Memo Of Understanding-MOU or contract) detailing how the two organizations will operate together must be established, signed and dated
*A Steering Committee, made up of business members, must be established for the Affiliate in Development as their governing body. (This is not the Fiscal Sponsor’s Board of Directors.)

11. Application Process:
The Affiliate Application must be completed and signed providing the names and contact information for the newly formed governing body (Board of Directors or Steering Committee) and the primary contact
The USBLN Affiliate Agreement and Attachment A must be signed and the counties within the service area established. It is advisable to work with the Director of Affiliate Relations as the service area is established
Officers and Directors Liability insurance is advised but not required by the USBLN

12. Final Steps to Becoming an Affiliate:
Application is received, reviewed and found acceptable
Director of Affiliate Relations presents app to Affiliate Development Committee
If approved, it is then presented to the USBLN BOD for final approval at their next meeting- meet every other month

13. If an Affiliate is Approved:
Provisional Affiliate - used if the Affiliate in Development has met all requirements and has applied but is awaiting approval from the State of their status as a Non-Profit Corporation/Organization and also from the IRS regarding their tax-exempt status as a 501 c3.
Affiliate in Good Standing - all documents and requirements have been received and reviewed by USBLN and approval given by the Board of Directors.

14. For more information contact:
Lynn Trew Kirkbride, M.S.
Director of Affiliate Relations