Lowcountry Local First

What Lowcountry Local First does

Lowcountry Local First is a Charleston, South Carolina-based nonprofit membership organization founded in 2007 that cultivates a local economy anchored in locally-owned businesses across the Charleston, Dorchester, and Berkeley Counties (Tri-County) region. It pursues this mission through three pillars — Advocacy, Affinity (member resources and programming), and Awareness (consumer education campaigns) — executed via four seasonal awareness campaigns (Do Good Season, Eat Drink Local Season, Invest Local Season, Buy Local Season), each anchored by a signature event (Good Business Summit, Chef's Potluck, Buy Local Block Party, Move Your Money Week).

The organization's product and service portfolio centers on five interlocking programs: (1) company-based Business Memberships tiered across Champion, Catalyst, and Convener levels, providing B2B savings, healthcare solutions, workforce resources, the Local Expertise Exchange, and networking; (2) the Localist Card, a consumer membership card offered in physical ($25), digital, wholesale ($20), and bulk ($15) formats giving discounts at 100+ participating local businesses; (3) Local Works Coworking at 1859 Summerville Avenue, Suite 800, with tiered seats from day passes ($20-$45) to large private offices ($1,595/mo, currently sold out), plus conference room rentals; (4) the Community Business Academy, a 13-week course on business planning and management with a food-entrepreneurship track hosted at the Culinary Institute of Charleston; and (5) the Lowcountry Kiva Hub, providing access to 0% interest microloans through Kiva's global platform. Other offerings include Commercial Space Advising, Marketing Momentum Small Business Grants, and an AI Implementation Bootcamp delivered with partner GCM.

Revenue mechanics span recurring membership dues, recurring coworking subscriptions, transactional Localist Card sales, event sponsorships (with event sponsorships ranging up to $7,500 for premium placements such as live music at Chef's Potluck), and tax-deductible donations from $10 to $2,500. The organization operates with 1-10 employees under Executive Director Jacquie Berger (MBA, Yale School of Management; over 20 years of nonprofit management) and a board chaired by Terri Herubin, with Capital Access Manager Javier Jimenez Pereira leading the Spanish-language Community Business Academy track. No proprietary technology platform is disclosed; payment processing relies on Stripe and Authorize.net, and the website is built on Novi AMS.

Name

Lowcountry Local First

Legal name

Lowcountry Local First

Website

https://lowcountrylocalfirst.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Lowcountry Local First is a Charleston, SC-based nonprofit founded in 2007 that strengthens the Tri-County regional economy by convening hundreds of local-independent business members, running seasonal awareness campaigns and signature events, and operating the Localist Card, Local Works coworking space, Community Business Academy, and Lowcountry Kiva Hub microloan program.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Charleston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Company-based memberships providing access to resources, B2B savings programs, networking, mentorship, and member-only benefits including healthcare solutions, workforce resources, and the Local Expertise Exchange.
2. Coworking and Workspace Rentals: Local Works coworking space offering day passes, community seating, dedicated desks, semi-private pods, private offices, and conference room rentals at various price points.
3. Localist Card Sales: Annual consumer card providing access to exclusive perks and discounts at participating local businesses. Available in physical ($25) and digital formats, with wholesale ($20 per card) and bulk order ($15 per card) options.
4. Event Sponsorships and Registration: Revenue from signature events including Good Business Summit, Chef's Potluck, Buy Local Block Party, and various seasonal campaign sponsorship packages with varying visibility tiers.
5. Donations: Tax-deductible donations supporting LLF's mission to cultivate a local economy anchored in local ownership. Suggested donation amounts range from $10 to $2,500.
6. Branded Event Merchandise Sponsorships: Sponsorship opportunities for event branding including napkins, koozies, wristbands, tote bags, photo booth experiences, and other branded materials at signature events.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Lowcountry Local First is a nonprofit membership organization that advances local economic prosperity by providing membership services to local-independent businesses, operating the Local Works coworking space, selling the Localist Card consumer discount program, facilitating 0% interest microloans through the Lowcountry Kiva Hub, delivering business education via the Community Business Academy, and running four seasonal awareness campaigns with signature events.

Product overview

Lowcountry Local First is a nonprofit membership organization advancing economic prosperity through local ownership. Its product portfolio centers on a dual offering: (1) The Localist Card program, available in physical ($25), digital, wholesale ($20), and bulk ($15) formats, providing exclusive perks at participating local businesses; and (2) Local Works Coworking Space offering tiered memberships from day passes ($20-$45) to dedicated desks ($335.75-$395/mo), semi-private pods ($595/mo), and private offices ($895-$1,595/mo), plus conference room rentals. The organization also runs four seasonal awareness campaigns—Do Good Season, Eat Drink Local Season, Invest Local Season, and Buy Local Season—each with signature events and sponsorship packages, plus the year-round Lowcountry Kiva Hub for 0% interest microloans and the Community Business Academy 13-week business course. Membership enables access to the B2B savings program, member directory, and resources.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Local Works Coworking: Coworking space operated by Lowcountry Local First offering community seats, dedicated desks, private offices, and conference room rentals.
• Localist Card
• Lowcountry Kiva Hub
• Community Business Academy
• Invest Local Season

Products and services

• Local Works Coworking Space A coworking space at Lowcountry Local First's Charleston headquarters offering tiered memberships including day passes ($20-$45), community seating ($85-$185/month), dedicated desks ($335.75-$395/month), semi-private pods ($595/month), private offices ($895-$1,595/month), virtual address plans, and conference room rentals. Serves small businesses, freelancers, and remote workers.
• Localist Card A membership card program providing exclusive perks and discounts at participating local businesses throughout the Lowcountry. Available in physical ($25), digital, wholesale ($20/card), and bulk order ($15/card) formats. Valid November 2025 - December 2026 (14 months).
• Community Business Academy A 13-week business course offering hands-on training in business planning and management fundamentals, with focus on food-based entrepreneurship. Hosted at the Culinary Institute of Charleston at Trident Technical College for Fall 2026 cohort. Serves aspiring entrepreneurs seeking to launch or grow successful businesses.
• Lowcountry Kiva Hub A Kiva Hub for the Tri-County region helping local businesses access 0% interest loans through Kiva's global microloan platform. Provides capital access for inventory, equipment, marketing, or labor needs for emerging entrepreneurs and startups in the Charleston, Dorchester, and Berkeley Counties area.

Quantifiable outcome

• Newsletter reaches 7,000+ subscribers with ~40% open rate

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered convener & catalyst, program partner, event partner and convener.

• RR Multiservices LLCconvener & catalystGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Property maintenance and cleaning services company. Convener & Catalyst partner supporting LLF's mission and campaigns. Community Business Academy graduate (Spring 2026). Hispanic-owned business.
• High Wire Distilling Co.convener & catalystGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Premium small batch spirits distillery in Charleston. Convener & Catalyst partner supporting LLF campaigns and events.
• Charleston Magazineconvener & catalystGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Local lifestyle publication, 'The City Magazine since 1975'. Convener & Catalyst partner providing media visibility.
• South Carolina Federal Credit Unionconvener & catalystGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Not-for-profit financial institution. Convener & Catalyst partner supporting Invest Local Season and financial literacy initiatives.
• Steen Enterprisesconvener & catalystGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Kubota tractor dealer in Adams Run, SC. Member since 2017. Convener & Catalyst partner.
• Indigo Road Hospitality Groupconvener & catalystGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Restaurant group operating 20+ restaurants across Charleston, Atlanta, Nashville, DC, Raleigh, and Charlotte. Convener & Catalyst partner.
• The Local Palateconvener & catalystGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Southern food culture magazine covering local foodways and culinary region. Member since 2023. Convener & Catalyst partner.
• Grassroots Wineconvener & catalystGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Wine producer emphasizing 'Farms, not Factories' with focus on independent farmers. Member since 2016. Convener & Catalyst partner.
• Greystarconvener & catalystGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Global leader in rental housing with expertise in multifamily, corporate, and senior housing. Convener & Catalyst partner.
• Floyd Lee Locumsconvener & catalystGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Healthcare staffing organization providing elite concierge locum tenens experience. Convener & Catalyst partner.
• REV Federal Credit Unionconvener & catalystGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Not-for-profit financial institution serving members since 1955. Convener & Catalyst partner supporting Invest Local initiatives.
• Coastal Cattle Company LLCconvener & catalystGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Pasture-raised beef producer, farm to table style in Summerville, SC. Family owned and operated. Convener & Catalyst partner.
• Anchor Heating and Air LLCconvener & catalystGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Residential HVAC services in Charleston and Daniel Island. Locally owned by native Charlestonians. Convener & Catalyst partner.
• Charleston City Paperconvener & catalystGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Alternative weekly newspaper founded in 1997. Tens of thousands of weekly print readers, hundreds of thousands online audience. Convener & Catalyst partner.
• Charleston Music Hallconvener & catalystGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Versatile event venue on Upper King Street in Historic Downtown Charleston. Convener & Catalyst partner.
• Sonitrol Security Systemsconvener & catalystGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Residential and commercial electronic security systems provider in SC since 1978. Member since 2013. Convener & Catalyst partner.
• SMHaconvener & catalystGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Architecture firm specializing in sustainable and resilient design for coastal region. Certified small woman-owned business (SWBE). 19-person firm with 14 registered architects. Member since 2022. Convener & Catalyst partner.
• Culinary Institute of Charlestonprogram partnerStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Host venue for Fall 2026 Community Business Academy cohort. Located at Trident Technical College's Thornley Campus, Building 920, 7000 Rivers Ave, North Charleston, SC.
• Berkeley Electric Cooperativeevent partnerStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Host venue for AI Implementation Bootcamp for Small Business Owners on August 29, 2026. Located in Goose Creek, SC.
• GCMprogram partnerStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Partner organization providing AI Implementation Bootcamp for Small Business Owners. Led by Zach Giglio (CEO) with COO Emma Giglio. Has worked with organizations in 31 states, supported 50+ clients, trained thousands on AI tools.
• Lowcountry RoastersconvenerGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Family-owned coffee roaster in Summerville serving bakeries, cafes, restaurants, businesses, and retail. Women-owned business founded in 1984. Convener partner providing coffee to Local Works coworking.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Institute for Local Self-Reliance: National nonprofit researching and advocating for local economic development, including 'buy local' movements. Comparable mission but operating at policy/research level rather than direct member service provision.
• American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA): National umbrella organization for independent business alliances and 'buy local' movements. AMIBA provides the structural framework that local chapters like LLF operate within, making it the closest broad incumbent peer for LLF's advocacy and network model.
• Independent We Stand: National grassroots movement promoting independently owned businesses, similar in mission to LLF but operating at national scale with consumer-facing marketing. Directly comparable in advocacy and awareness-campaign approach.
• BALLE (Business Alliance for Local Living Economies): National network of local economy organizations focused on community wealth building through local business support. Comparable in mission and integrated programming (capital, education, advocacy) though operating at network rather than single-region level.
• SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives): National nonprofit providing mentorship and business education to small business owners. Comparable to LLF's Community Business Academy and Local Expertise Exchange programs, though SCORE focuses exclusively on mentorship without the local-economy advocacy layer.
• WeWork / Industrious (national coworking operators): National coworking space operators serving SMBs with similar product tiers (dedicated desks, private offices, conference rooms). Local Works competes with these for the same Charleston SMB market, though at much smaller scale and with a local-economy differentiator.
• Chamber of Commerce (Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce): Regional business association serving the Charleston area with member services, networking, and advocacy. Overlaps with LLF on B2B membership and networking but is broader in scope (includes large employers and chains) rather than exclusively local-independent.

Others

• Kiva (microloan platform): Global 0% interest microloan platform for which LLF operates a regional Kiva Hub. Kiva is an enabling partner/infrastructure provider rather than a direct competitor, but the relationship defines LLF's capital access programming.

Direct peers

• Buy Local Alliance / Boulder Independent Business Alliance: Independent business alliances operating the same member-directory and consumer-awareness model as LLF. Directly comparable in seasonal campaigns, member directory, and community convening function at the local level.
• Local First (various independent chapters): Independent Local First chapters across the US (e.g., Local First Arizona, Local First Vermont, Local First Chicago) operate the same member-based local business advocacy model as LLF. These are direct peer organizations with comparable programming.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/lowcountrylocalfirst
• Xx.com/lowcountrylocal

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Lowcountry Local First