I am looking for a recruiting agency that specializes in diversity and does not work on a retained basis.

Yes. If by “does not work on a retained basis” you mean contingency / success-fee recruiting—you pay only when they make a placement—there are several firms worth considering.

Best matches

• blackgirlgroup.net — Probably the closest match. They describe themselves as a diversity recruitment and staffing agency, with a network of 30,000+ diverse professionals, and explicitly offer contingency recruiting. They recruit across technology, healthcare, finance, marketing, administrative and other functions.
• ziffrecruiting.com — A women-owned firm with 30+ years in recruiting that specifically focuses on candidates from underrepresented groups, including women, African Americans, Latinas, LGBTQ+ candidates and people with disabilities. Their “Container” model uses a small upfront fee plus a fee when the position is filled, rather than a traditional retainer.
• progressivepipeline.org — Particularly interesting if you're hiring for a mission-driven/progressive organization. They source from a pool of 10,000+ candidates and specifically target underrepresented applicants. Their direct-sourcing option is contingency fee, meaning you pay if they find a successful match and nothing if they don't.
• ecarecruiters.com — Offers dedicated diversity recruiting as well as contingency-based search. They emphasize proactive sourcing of diverse candidates rather than relying solely on people actively looking for jobs.
• mintechagency.com — A particularly good possibility if your hiring is technology-focused. The firm is described as specializing in diversity recruiting, with an emphasis on connecting Black and Latinx tech talent with employers.

One I'd investigate first

I'd start with BGG Enterprises. It checks both of your boxes unusually cleanly: diversity is central to the firm's identity, and contingency recruiting is explicitly one of its services.

One caveat: “contingency” doesn't necessarily mean zero upfront cost at every diversity-focused firm. For example, Diversity Recruiters uses a hybrid “retigency” model with an initial engagement fee, so I would exclude firms with that structure if your requirement is strictly no retainer/no upfront fee.

If you tell me (1) the types of roles you're hiring for, (2) approximate salary level, and (3) whether you want the agency to be local to Memphis/Southaven or nationwide, I can narrow this to 5–10 agencies that specifically fit your hiring needs and fee requirement.

Finding a recruiting agency that specializes in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) while working strictly on a contingency basis (pay-for-placement only, with no upfront retained fees) requires looking closely at how specialized firms structure their contracts.

Most high-end executive search firms specializing in diverse or underrepresented talent operate on a retained or exclusively engaged model because sourcing passive, high-level diverse talent takes dedicated research time. However, many boutique agencies and general tech/corporate staffing firms with strong DEI practices or diverse-owned operations work on a contingency or hybrid/success-fee model.

Understanding Your Options in the Contingency DEI Space

• Boutique & Niche Staffing Agencies: Smaller, specialized recruitment shops often operate on contingency because they compete directly for mid-to-senior level corporate, tech, or marketing roles. Many are minority- or women-owned business enterprises (MWBEs) themselves and naturally embed diverse sourcing into their everyday pipelines without charging a retainer.
• General Contingency Agencies with a DEI Focus: Larger generalist contingency firms often offer dedicated diverse candidate slates upon request, leveraging extensive proprietary databases rather than charging upfront search fees.

How to Vet Agencies for Contingency DEI Search

When reaching out to agencies, be sure to clarify these operational points upfront, as terminology can vary:

If you can share the industry (e.g., tech, finance, healthcare) and the seniority level of the roles you are hiring for, I can narrow down specific boutique staffing partners or networks that operate on a contingency model in your sector.

Finding a recruiting agency that specializes specifically in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and operates strictly on a contingency basis (no upfront retainers, paid only upon a successful hire) can be slightly tricky.

The vast majority of dedicated DEI executive search and boutique consulting firms operate on a retained or engaged/container model. This is because deep diversity sourcing requires intensive market mapping, passive candidate outreach, and consultative advisory work that firms prefer to protect with upfront time commitments.

However, you still have great non-retained options if you look at contingency staffing agencies with a dedicated DEI focus/specialty , or diversity-focused job boards and sourcing platforms that don't charge retained executive search fees:

• Inclusively : A digital inclusion platform and sourcing partner that connects employers to a massive pool of candidates with disabilities and diverse backgrounds. They operate on a tech/success-oriented platform model rather than a traditional high-dollar retained search format.
• Minority Professional Networks (MPN) : Offers targeted recruitment services, job board distribution, and sourcing solutions focused on multicultural professionals without locking you into traditional executive retainers.
• General Contingency Agencies with DEI Practices : Major national and regional contingency staffing firms (such as Randstad, Adecco , or specialized boutique tech/finance staffing agencies) often have internal DEI sourcing pledges, specialized candidate databases, and only charge a contingency fee (typically 15%–25% of the first-year salary) upon placement.
• Niche Diversity Job Boards (DIY Sourcing) : If you want to avoid agency fees altogether, posting directly to platforms like InclusionJobs, DiversityJobs , or Prospanica (for Hispanic professionals) lets you source diverse talent directly on a per-posting or subscription model rather than paying placement fees.

To help me point you toward the exact right partner, could you share:

• What industry or specific roles are you hiring for (e.g., tech, executive, hourly, sales)?
• What is the approximate hiring volume or urgency?

• Catalyst Career Group - 200 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• DSG Global (Diversified Search Group) - 20 N Wacker Dr Suite 622, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Medellin & Associates Inc - 47 W Division St Ste 171, Chicago, IL 60610, United States
• TRANSEARCH International - 1165 N Clark St, Ste 502, Chicago, IL 60610
• Battalia Winston International - 150 S Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Professional Diversity Network - 55 E Monroe St Ste 2120, Chicago, IL 60603, United States
• Hanold Associates - 574 Earlston, Kenilworth, IL 60043
• Halo Consulting - Chicago, IL 60690
• Noetic Executive Search - 77 W Wacker Dr Ste 4500, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• V Elizabeth Talent Acquisition Solutions - Gary, IN 46402
• Talentfoot Executive Search & Recruiting Firm - 30 S Wacker Dr Ste 1260, Chicago, IL 60606, United States

Yes. I found a few agencies that look like strong matches, especially if by “does not work on a retained basis” you mean contingency / success-fee recruiting—no upfront retainer.

Best matches

• Go Talent Solutions — Chicago This is probably the first one I’d investigate. It is minority-owned and explicitly focused on inclusive, diversity-forward recruiting. Its services include diversity recruiting strategy and talent acquisition. I would confirm whether the specific search you have in mind is handled on a contingency basis rather than a retained/hybrid arrangement.
• Talent-Hue National Diversity Recruitment Services — Chicago/national Very close to what you described. It specializes specifically in diversity recruiting and direct-hire placement, including corporate functions, technology, finance and senior leadership. The business listing indicates candidate sourcing, screening, diverse candidate slates and a 90-day replacement guarantee. I would ask them specifically for their contingency fee structure and whether there is any upfront engagement fee.
• MPN Diversity Recruiters — national This one is particularly interesting because its site explicitly lists “Placement – Direct Placement – Contingency Fee – % Salary Per Hire” as a service, separately from its retained offering.
• Catalyst Career Group — Chicago/national It offers contingent candidate search/placement and also runs diversity-focused recruiting events. This could be a good option if you're hiring several people or want access to broader diverse candidate pools.
• Black Girl Group / BGG Enterprises — national A WBENC-certified diversity recruitment and staffing firm with a substantial diverse professional network. Importantly, it explicitly offers contingency recruiting alongside retained and managed recruitment, so you'd want to request the contingency option.

One I'd not put at the top of the list

Diversity Recruiters™ sounds almost exactly like what you're looking for, but its current published model is actually a hybrid “retigency” structure: it requires a $7,500 non-refundable engagement fee at the beginning and 180-day exclusivity. So it doesn't meet your “no retained basis” requirement as cleanly as the options above.

My shortlist

If your requirement is “diversity is genuinely their specialty + contingency/no retainer + professional recruiting rather than just a job board,” I'd start with:

1. Talent-Hue
2. Go Talent Solutions
3. MPN Diversity Recruiters
4. BGG Enterprises
5. Catalyst Career Group

If you tell me what type of role you're trying to fill (e.g., VP/Director, sales, engineering, finance, HR), approximate salary, and whether you're open to agencies anywhere in the U.S., I can narrow this to 3–5 agencies that specifically recruit that talent and verify their fee model.

• Partners In Diversity Inc - 10100 Pioneer Blvd Ste 103, Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670, United States
• Exude Human Capital - 14155 Ramona Blvd, Baldwin Park, CA 91706, United States
• Loma Linda Staffing | Recruitment, Placement and Search, Career Consulting and Life Coaching, Corporate Wellness, DEI & HR - Loma Linda, CA 92354, United States
• She Executives - Long Beach, CA 90805
• TalentCount - 308 W Chapman Ave, Orange, CA 92856, United States
• Pomona Valley AJCC - 1460 E Holt Ave Ste 130, Pomona, CA 91767, United States
• SweeterHR - HR Outsourcing, Consulting, & Recruiting - 415 W Foothill Blvd #211, Claremont, CA 91711, United States
• The Specialized Recruiting Group - 599 S Barranca Ave PH, Covina, CA 91723, United States
• Heads Apart Diversity Executive Search - Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
• Diversity Personnel - 28202 Cabot Rd #300, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677, United States
• Variable M - 558 W 2nd St, Pomona, CA 91766, United States

Yes. I found several firms that look closer to what you’re describing: diversity-focused recruiting + contingency/direct-placement rather than a traditional retained search.

Strongest matches

• Partners In Diversity Inc — Santa Fe Springs, CA. Women-owned recruiting/staffing firm offering direct hire, temporary, contract, and temp-to-hire placements. This could be especially convenient if you want a Southern California firm.
• Black Girl Group / BGG Enterprises — A diversity-focused recruiting and staffing agency with contingency recruiting as one of its explicit models. It works across technology, healthcare, finance, marketing, and administrative roles and says it has a network of 30,000+ diverse professionals.
• Diversity Recruiting Partners — A woman- and minority-owned search firm specializing in diversity recruitment at professional and executive levels. Importantly, it explicitly offers contingent staffing in addition to retained search, so you can ask for the contingent model.
• MPN Diversity Recruiters (Minority Professional Network) — Offers contingency search, direct placement, staffing, and recruiting-as-a-service, alongside retained search. Its materials say it has supported 3,000+ employers/clients across 46 U.S. states.
• Progressive Pipeline — Particularly interesting if you're hiring for a mission-driven/progressive organization. It explicitly offers direct candidate sourcing on a contingency fee: you pay if they find a match and nothing if they don't. It focuses on underrepresented candidates.
• Rhino Recruiting — Los Angeles-area boutique, woman-owned recruiting agency that explicitly emphasizes diversity and inclusion. It offers multiple staffing/recruiting arrangements; I'd confirm the fee structure for your particular permanent search before engaging.

One I'd investigate first

If you're hiring in Southern California, I'd start with Partners In Diversity because it's local and explicitly does direct-hire/contingent-style placement. If you're looking for a national firm whose primary differentiator is diversity recruiting, I'd put Diversity Recruiting Partners and MPN Diversity Recruiters at the top of the list.

One caution: Diversity Recruiters™ sounds like an obvious fit by name, but its published model is actually a hybrid "retigency" arrangement with a $7,500 non-refundable engagement fee and 180-day exclusivity. So I would not put it on your shortlist if "no retained/engagement fee" is a hard requirement.

If you tell me (1) the type/level of position you're hiring for, (2) your industry, and (3) whether you want candidates specifically from particular underrepresented groups, I can narrow this to 5–7 agencies that are genuinely appropriate and verify their current contingency terms.

Finding a diversity-focused recruiting partner that operates strictly on a contingency basis (no upfront retainers, fees paid only upon a successful hire) requires navigating a distinct niche.

Most dedicated DEIB executive search firms operate exclusively on a retained or hybrid/engaged model because deep market mapping and passive candidate sourcing require dedicated upfront capital.

However, you have a couple of viable pathways and agency types that fit a non-retained, performance-based approach while emphasizing inclusive hiring:

• Boutique and Minority-Owned Contingency Agencies: Many boutique, certified minority-owned, or women-owned staffing and placement firms handle professional and mid-to-senior level corporate roles on a contingency fee schedule while naturally embedding diverse candidate slates into their pipelines. A prominent example offering flexible placement models (including contingent staffing) is Diversity Recruiting Partners.
• Mainstream Contingency Agencies with DEIB Capabilities: Large and mid-market contingency firms (charging standard 15%–25% placement fees only when someone starts) are increasingly equipped with blind-resume protocols, unconscious bias training, and diverse sourcing metrics. You can partner with them non-exclusively and explicitly mandate a diverse candidate shortlist for your open requisitions.
• Modern Fractional/Hourly Sourcing Platforms: Platforms like Dover replace traditional commission-based or retained agency structures with flat hourly or fractional recruiting models. Because they do not work on a traditional placement fee or retainer, you retain total control over the hiring criteria and can direct the recruiter to source exclusively from underrepresented talent pools without paying a percentage-based markup.

If you'd like to narrow this down, please let me know:

• What industry or specific role (e.g., engineering, marketing, finance) you are hiring for
• The seniority level of the position (individual contributor vs. management)

I can help tailor the search or suggest the best engagement approach for your specific vacancy.

Finding a recruiting partner that specializes in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) while working strictly on a contingency basis (no upfront retainers, paid only upon a successful hire) requires navigating a distinct niche in the staffing industry.

Most dedicated executive search firms specializing in diverse leadership operate on a retained model because of the deep, passive market-mapping required. However, several workforce solutions, minority-owned enterprises, and specialized generalist agencies incorporate strong DEI sourcing into a contingency or flat-fee/success-only structure.

Options for Contingency & Diversity-Focused Recruitment

• HireTalent
  • Model: Offers direct-hire and contingency-style placements alongside executive options. They are a certified Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) and have been repeatedly recognized as a top diversity staffing firm by Staffing Industry Analysts.
  • Focus: Nationwide diverse talent acquisition and programmatic hiring support.
• Creative Alignments
  • Model: Operates on an innovative time-based/flat model rather than traditional high-commission or upfront retainers, aligning closely with inclusive and transparent hiring practices.
  • Focus: Deep commitment to DE+I principles, human-centric sourcing, and collaborative recruiting without traditional fee friction.
• Niche Diversity Job Boards with Recruiter Add-ons
  • Platforms like Inclusively or specialized regional Diversity Employment Day Career Fairs allow you to tap directly into pools of vetted candidates with disabilities, veterans, and people of color on a per-event or success transaction basis rather than locking into a retained executive contract.

Understanding the Trade-Offs

• The Retained vs. Contingency Reality: True specialized DEI executive search firms usually demand retainers because they map out entire industries to find passive diverse talent. Contingency recruiters operate on a "no placement, no fee" framework, which shifts financial risk away from you, but typically means they manage a high-volume, speed-oriented desk rather than an exclusive, exhaustive market study.
• Vetting the Agency: When talking to prospective contingency agencies, explicitly ask how they source diverse slates (e.g., do they rely purely on inbound applicants, or do they actively partner with organizations like NSBE, SHPE, Prospanica, or local urban leagues?).

To help narrow down the right partner, could you share:

• What industry and job level (entry, mid-management, or executive) are you hiring for?
• Are you looking for a one-off placement or support for multiple roles?

Yes. I found a few firms that look promising, but there’s an important distinction: “diversity-focused” and “non-retained/contingency” rarely appear together, especially for executive-level searches.

Best match: MPN Diversity Recruiters

MPN Diversity Recruiters looks like the strongest fit based on your criteria. They explicitly offer direct-placement recruiting on a contingency basis, meaning you pay a percentage of salary per successful hire, rather than paying a retainer. They also offer staffing and recruiting-as-a-service in addition to retained search.

Another possibility: Black Girl Group / BGG Enterprises

Black Girl Group is explicitly focused on building diverse workforces and says it has placed 500+ people. Importantly, it offers contingency, retained, and managed recruitment, so you could specifically ask for its contingency model.

If you're hiring in the Twin Cities

Inside Talent is worth investigating. It's Minnesota-based, women-owned, and its recruiting work includes measurable diversity-hiring results. It uses a flexible/fractional recruiting model rather than positioning itself solely as a traditional retained executive-search firm. The key question would be whether they'll take your particular search on a success-fee/contingency basis.

Empowers Staffing Inc. is another local option. It describes itself as minority-owned and diversity-forward and offers direct-hire recruiting, although it isn't exclusively a diversity recruiting firm.

One I'd rule out

Robinson-Robinson & Associates is very well aligned with the diversity requirement—it specifically specializes in recruiting women and people of color for senior management—but its own site describes it as a retained executive search firm, so it doesn't meet your no-retainer requirement.

My shortlist

If you tell me what position you're recruiting for (e.g., VP/CHRO, sales leader, engineer, nonprofit executive), approximate salary level, and whether the search is Minneapolis/Twin Cities or nationwide, I can narrow this to 3–5 agencies that specifically recruit that type of person and explicitly work contingency/non-retained.

Finding a recruiting partner that specializes in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) while operating on a contingency basis (pay-for-placement, non-retained) requires looking at specialized professional staffing and search firms rather than traditional executive-level retained search houses. Because traditional executive search for DEI leadership (like Chief Diversity Officers) often defaults to a retained model , mid-market and professional-level agencies offer the flexibility you need.

Here are a few options and categories of agencies that provide dedicated diversity recruitment services on a non-retained, contingency (or hybrid/flexible) structure:

• Diversity Recruitment Partners (DRP) : A woman- and minority-owned professional search firm that explicitly offers both contingent staffing and project-level placement alongside executive solutions. They specialize in aligning culturally diverse talent across corporate and tech functions.
• ECA Recruiters : Known for professional and growth-oriented recruitment, ECA features dedicated diversity recruiting practices tied to a performance-driven contingency model where fees are strictly paid upon a successful hire.
• Certified Diversity-Owned Staffing Agencies : Many agencies listed on directories like the Staffing Industry Analysts (SIA) Diversity-Owned Staffing Firms operate on standard contingency or contract-to-hire fee frameworks while naturally embedding inclusive sourcing into their core operations. Examples like HireTalent scale professional and corporate hiring without mandatory upfront retainers.

If you'd like to narrow this down, please let me know:

• What specific industry or job functions are you hiring for (e.g., tech, finance, sales, operations)?
• What seniority level are the open roles?

I can provide a more tailored list of agencies or alternative sourcing methods for your exact needs.

Yes. I found a few firms that appear to fit your two key criteria: meaningful diversity specialization and contingency/non-retained recruiting.

Best matches

1. Talent-Hue Diversity Recruitment Services — Probably the cleanest fit. It is a 100% minority-owned recruiting firm focused specifically on diversity hiring, serves entry-level through executive roles, and explicitly offers contingency-based recruitment and direct-hire placement. It also offers a 90-day replacement guarantee.

2. MPN Diversity Recruiters / Minority Professional Network — A particularly strong option if you want a firm with a long-standing diversity recruiting infrastructure. MPN is 100% minority-owned, NMSDC-certified, and explicitly offers contingency recruiting where the fee is payable upon hire. Its recruiting covers professional through executive levels and a broad range of underrepresented groups.

3. Diversity Recruiting Partners (DRP) — A woman- and minority-owned search firm specializing in diversity recruitment. Importantly, it offers contingent search as an alternative to retained search; its site says contingent search is paid in one installment on the candidate's start date.

One I'd put at the top of the list

Talent-Hue looks especially aligned with what you're asking for because diversity recruitment is its core business, rather than simply one service within a conventional executive-search firm, and it explicitly advertises contingency recruiting.

If you're looking for executive-level recruiting specifically (VP/C-suite), I would narrow this down further, because the best contingency firms for executives are somewhat different from those that primarily recruit professional/mid-level talent.

If you tell me the type of position(s), approximate salary level, and industry, I can find 5–10 agencies that specifically recruit those roles, are diversity-focused, and work contingency/no-retainer, including firms that serve San Antonio/Texas or work nationally.