5 Ways to Support Your Chamber Community Nonprofits

Nonprofits do a lot for the community. So does the chamber. The two organizations can work very well together. The only problem occurs when your chamber community has dozens and dozens of nonprofits and there’s only one chamber. Everyone wants you to help them from a resources and time perspective.

So what do you do?

How can you help without alienating other groups?

Here are a few suggestions that are working for chamber groups around the country.

5 Ways to Support Your Nonprofits

1. Allow them to co-host Business After Hours events. The Barrie Chamber of Commerce partners with a charity/ nonprofit at their BAH events. They display their logo along with the chamber’s prior to the event and allow them to bring promo materials. The group has a few minutes to speak about their services to members. According to Business Development Executive Christine Puma, these events “give them a little awareness in the business community that would be hard for them to do otherwise.”
2. Promote their events. The chamber often has a large social media audience so helping nonprofits publicize their events is a nice gesture. Plus, the chamber needs content as well as this further helps them be a resource for the community.
3. Give them a wider audience. In addition to social media, the chamber can distribute materials for nonprofits from the chamber office and allow them to use the chamber calendar of events portal or website.
4. Invite them to applicable meetings. If you have chamber committees that may be helpful for certain types of nonprofits, extend the invitation to attend. These groups could include education and tourism.
5. Be a resource. The Rocky Mount Chamber of Commerce plans to offer free educational and informational workshops or a half-day conference on topics such as grant writing, securing donors, corporate relationship building, social media, and other marketing assistance.

How do you work with the nonprofits in your community? Join the conversation here.

By: Christina R. Green

Get more information about the benefits you get when you join the local chamber of commerce.