Choose Your Partners Wisely: A Values-Aligned Vendor Guide
How to avoid partnerships that cost more than they give
Photo: Sarah Vombrack
As your organization grows, the vendors, platforms, and partners you bring on board will shape your culture as much as your operations. Choosing them with intention matters. The wrong fit can quietly lock you into relationships that chip away at your values over time.
This isn’t a rigid checklist. It’s a lens – something to help you and your team navigate high-impact or uncertain choices. Use what’s useful, adapt what isn’t, and remember: alignment is a practice, not a finish line.
Level 1: The One-Minute Scan
A quick gut check for lower-stakes or time-sensitive decisions.
- Local & Sovereign: Do they align with your sovereignty priorities (locally owned, hosted in-country, or respecting Indigenous data governance)?
- No Sketchy Lock-In: Do they offer a fair, transparent exit path?
- Transparency: Are they open about how they handle data and people?
- Values Fit: Does their culture feel aligned with yours? Would you trust them with something important?
Level 2: The Full Checklist
For core tools, client-facing platforms, or strategic partnerships, take more time to dig in.
Ownership & Incorporation
- Who are the major stakeholders and founders?
- Is ownership local or equity-deserving (e.g. women-led, Indigenous-owned)?
Data Stewardship
- Is data hosted locally or compliant with your sovereignty/data policies?
- Are privacy, consent, and access policies clear and verifiable?
Governance & Growth
- Is the company legally bound to a mission (B Corp, PBC, Co-op)?
- Is growth sustainable and long-term, or exit-driven and risky?
People & Culture
- Do they commit publicly to diversity, equity, inclusion, and ethical conduct?
- Do their practices (hiring pages, reviews, policies) back it up?
Contracts & Flexibility
- Are pricing and terms transparent?
- Are there fair exit clauses, or red flags in the fine print?
Ecosystem Fit
- Does this partnership reinforce your mission and ecosystem — or introduce risk?
Level 3: The Deep Dive (Optional)
For major infrastructure, long-term relationships, or when higher certifications are on the table.
- Environmental Responsibility: Do they disclose and act on emissions or resource use?
- Community & Civic Impact: Do they contribute to local economies, underserved communities, or resilient supply chains?
- JEDI Commitments: Do they publish demographic data, set equity goals, or show accountability?
- Feedback & Accountability: Do they invite oversight – boards, councils, audits, or impact reports?
Don’t Skip the Soft Signals
No checklist replaces human judgment. Pay attention to how engagement feels.
- Are power dynamics balanced or extractive?
- Do actions match words?
- How do they handle tough questions?
- Most importantly: does working with them feel energising, or like a compromise?
## The Point
Values-aligned choices aren’t about perfection. They’re about consistency and confidence. Every decision reshapes your ecosystem.
Each vendor, tool, and platform is a vote for the future you want to co-create. By choosing wisely, you’re not just buying tools – you’re reinforcing the culture you’re building.
Editor’s Note: This piece was drafted in April, 2025 and added here as part of my archives.