Blog 6 Savvy Ways to Build a Successful Program
Let’s talk about activities and initiatives that will get your program off to a good start, leveraging both internal and external resources.
Are you trying to get your supplier diversity program funded? Not sure how to hit your goals without a big budget? You’re not alone.
In the 2026 State of Supplier Diversity report, 41 percent of leaders named limited budget or resources as a top-three challenge. Forty-three percent of programs will operate on less than $250,000 next year, and one in five had a budget reduced in the past 12 months.
The good news: the supplier diversity program best practices that matter most don’t depend on a big budget. They depend on good data, clear goals, and a business case your leadership already cares about.
Here are six practices to build a strong foundation with the resources you have.
1. Start with a pilot
If your company is new to supplier diversity, a pilot is a low-stakes way to test the waters. Host a small networking event with a local business council, or invite a few buyers to meet suppliers in one category. Networking events are still the top way programs find suppliers (59 percent), so it’s a proven place to start.
Keep the scope small, track what you learn, and use the results to make the case for more.
2. Use what you already have
Do you know how many diverse, small, and local suppliers are already in your supply chain? That information is the foundation for everything that follows, but it takes time to confirm by hand. Only 45 percent of leaders feel confident in the accuracy of their supplier data, and 57 percent say it’s incomplete or inaccurate.
Third-party data can close that gap quickly. Supplier.io’s Supplier Explorer, for example, helps you identify and verify the suppliers you already work with. Among 2026 respondents, third-party data services are the most common way to verify certifications (51 percent).
Once you know who’s in your supply chain, look for ways to grow those relationships. Ask buyers to include proven suppliers in upcoming RFPs or expand their current contracts. It’s one of the fastest ways to build momentum at little or no cost.
3. Build strategic partnerships
Supplier diversity has been evolving for decades, so plenty of organizations can help. Advocacy groups support both diverse businesses and the companies that want to work with them. Explore the national and regional affiliates of the National Minority Supplier Development Council, Women’s Business Enterprise National Council, NGLCC, and Disability:IN.
Council membership held flat in 2026, with 62 percent of programs belonging to at least one. If a full membership isn’t in the budget, attending events or working with a regional affiliate can still open doors.
The U.S. Small Business Administration and SCORE, the nation’s largest network of volunteer business mentors, are also worth a look, especially if mentoring is part of your plan.
4. Find new suppliers
A strong program keeps widening its pool of qualified suppliers. Peers, advocacy organizations, and trade shows are good sources, and word of mouth still goes a long way.
A third-party database can automate discovery. In 2026, 53 percent of programs use third-party supplier data to find suppliers, and AI is starting to play a role: 54 percent of leaders report using AI in their supplier program, and 60 percent of those use it for supplier discovery and sourcing recommendations. You don’t need an AI project to benefit. Many data providers now build it into their search tools.
Supplier Explorer’s AI Search, for example, helps you find the right supplier faster, with search that understands what you need, not just the keywords you type. Describe your need in plain language and get ranked, relevant suppliers instantly. Every result comes with a match score and an explanation, so you know why a supplier made the list. Then refine in real time by continuing the conversation, with no need to start your search over. For a deeper look, read The ultimate guide to AI for supplier discovery.
5. Track your spend
Diverse spend is still the most common metric. Eighty-nine percent of programs track it. The sooner you start, the sooner you have a baseline.
If your procurement is decentralized, with each department buying on its own, tracking can feel out of reach. It isn’t. The biggest data barriers in 2026 are disconnected sources (46 percent) and a lack of staff to maintain data (43 percent), and 39 percent of leaders lack a centralized system. You can start with a spreadsheet or a third-party tool. What matters is getting buyers to report to one central source, which takes training. Treat that as a chance to raise your program’s profile and build buy-in.
Procurement or supply chain teams maintain supplier data in 45 percent of organizations, versus 27 percent for supplier diversity teams. Partner with them early.
6. Set SMART goals tied to the business
Tracking spend alone isn’t enough. Use the spend and supplier counts from steps 2 and 5 to set benchmarks, then write goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.
Next, tie those goals to what your organization already values. This is where the field has shifted most. In 2026, 76 percent of leaders say supply chain resilience and competitiveness is the top reason their program exists, up from 65 percent last year. Procurement intelligence, compliance and risk management, and community impact each describe the program’s value for roughly a quarter of leaders. Frame your goals around those outcomes, such as supplier risk, continuity, and regional economic impact.
Go beyond spend where you can. Fifty-five percent of leaders name economic impact in their communities as a top goal, but only 42 percent measure it. Programs that do tend to report the strongest executive support.
Your program may also go by another name, such as supplier inclusion, small business advancement, local sourcing, or responsible sourcing. The practices above work under any of them.
Build the proof, then ask for more
You can build a successful program without a big budget. Use what you have, build partnerships, and set goals you can measure. Soon you’ll have a track record that makes the next funding conversation easy.
