Chestnut Hill Community Association

What Chestnut Hill Community Association does

The Chestnut Hill Community Association (CHCA) is a nonprofit civic membership organization founded in 1947 in the Chestnut Hill neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (19118 zip code). It serves approximately 10,000 area residents through a base of 1,600+ member households and operates as the longest-standing Registered Community Organization (RCO) in Chestnut Hill, with statutory authority over the local development review and zoning variance process. The CHCA bundles a $110 annual household membership with a weekly community newspaper (Chestnut Hill Local, est. 1958), the Passport to the Chestnut Hill Experience discount booklet covering 45-70 local businesses, members-only events, voting rights, and community garden plot eligibility.

The CHCA's product surface spans community advocacy services, signature events (Pastorius Park Summer Concert Series — the longest-running free outdoor concert series in Philadelphia; Movies Under the Stars; Holiday House Tour; Hoops Madness Basketball Tournament; Circle of Trees Celebration), and the Chestnut Hill Local newspaper. Technology is non-proprietary: operations run on MemberLeap SaaS for membership management, event registration, website CMS, and email communications. The organization maintains a volunteer Board of Directors with appointed institutional seats for John S. Jenks School, Chestnut Hill College, Temple Health-Chestnut Hill Hospital, and Woodmere Art Museum.

Revenue is generated from five streams: recurring membership dues ($110/household), event sponsorships (Temple Health, Independence Blue Cross, Bowman Properties, and others), event revenue (ticketed fundraisers like the Holiday House Tour), annual appeal fundraising, and Chestnut Hill Local advertising. The organization operates from a four-person staff housed at 8434 Germantown Avenue and maintains the Chestnut Hill Community Fund endowment for preservation purposes.

Name

Chestnut Hill Community Association

Legal name

Chestnut Hill Community Association

Website

https://chestnuthill.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1947

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Chestnut Hill Community Association is a 1947-founded nonprofit civic membership organization serving 10,000+ residents of Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia through 1,600+ member households, operating as the coordinating Registered Community Organization for zoning and development review and producing the community newspaper and signature events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Association Services

NAICS

Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192), Historical Sites (71212)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Association Compliance, Governance & Board Support Services (BPAJAHAN)

akta.pro secondary industry

Mixed-Use Community Association Management (BPAJAHAF)

Keywords

• Community association services
• Civic membership programs
• Community development review
• Local newspaper publishing
• Cultural event programming

Headquarters

HQ city

Philadelphia

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual household membership dues at $110 generate the primary recurring revenue stream. The dues include a subscription to Chestnut Hill Local (valued at $55), with the remainder being tax-deductible.
2. Event Sponsorships: Local businesses and organizations sponsor CHCA events including Pastorius Park Summer Concerts, Movies Under the Stars, Hoops Madness, Holiday Parade, Holiday House Tour, and others. Sponsors receive visibility with the community.
3. Event Revenue: Revenue generated from ticketed or discounted events such as the Holiday House Tour, Fall Frolic, and Hoops Madness basketball tournament. These events serve as fundraisers for the association.
4. Annual Appeal / Fundraising: Annual fundraising campaign (Annual Appeal) supplemented by the Development Review Committee and other fundraising initiatives. The Chestnut Hill Community Fund (endowment) also supports operations.
5. Chestnut Hill Local Newspaper: The Chestnut Hill Local, owned by CHCA, generates revenue through advertising. The Local covers Chestnut Hill, Mt Airy, Wyndmoor, Flourtown, Erdenheim, and surrounding communities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The CHCA sells an annual household membership ($110/year) that bundles a subscription to the Chestnut Hill Local newspaper, the Passport to the Chestnut Hill Experience discount booklet, members-only events, voting rights, and community garden eligibility. It also organizes signature community events (Pastorius Park Summer Concerts, Movies Under the Stars, Holiday House Tour, Hoops Madness) and provides Registered Community Organization (RCO) development review and zoning advocacy services for the Chestnut Hill area.

Product overview

The Chestnut Hill Community Association operates as a membership-based community organization rather than a technology product company. Its core offering is the CHCA Membership Program ($110/year), which bundles together multiple member benefits: the Chestnut Hill Local weekly newspaper, the Passport to the Chestnut Hill Experience discount booklet (offering $1,000+ in local business discounts), members-only events, event discounts, and voting rights. The organization also organizes signature community events including the Pastorius Park Summer Concert Series (the longest-running free outdoor concert series in Philadelphia), Movies Under the Stars outdoor films, the Holiday House Tour, and the Hoops Madness Basketball Tournament. Additionally, CHCA provides community development review and advocacy services through its Physical Division, reviewing development and zoning matters as a Registered Community Organization (RCO).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CHCA Membership Program Annual household membership at $110 per year providing access to the Chestnut Hill Local newspaper subscription, Passport to the Chestnut Hill Experience discount booklet, members-only events, event discounts, voting rights in CHCA elections, and eligibility for Morris Arboretum Community Garden plots.
• Chestnut Hill Local Weekly community newspaper covering Chestnut Hill, Mt Airy, Wyndmoor, Flourtown, Erdenheim, and surrounding communities. Delivered to CHCA members as part of membership benefits. Recipient of multiple Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association awards.
• Passport to the Chestnut Hill Experience Annual discount booklet providing over $1,000 in savings at 45-70 local businesses, restaurants, and services in Chestnut Hill. Included as a member benefit.
• Pastorius Park Summer Concert Series Annual free outdoor concert series held mid-June through July at Pastorius Park, featuring diverse musical genres including classical, jazz, rock, and folk over seven weeks. Draws 500-700 attendees per concert.
• Movies Under the Stars Outdoor movie series held Friday evenings in August at Water Tower Recreation Center, featuring family films projected on a 26-foot screen with food trucks. Attracts 200-250 participants per movie night.
• Holiday House Tour Philadelphia's longest-running holiday home tour featuring historic Chestnut Hill homes decorated for the holidays. Major annual fundraiser for CHCA attracting 700-1,000 attendees annually.
• Hoops Madness Basketball Tournament Annual youth and adult 3-on-3 basketball tournament held in March during March Madness, open to children ages 5-18 and adults.
• Community Development Review Services Technical advisory and review services for development, land use planning, and zoning matters in Chestnut Hill. The CHCA serves as the coordinating Registered Community Organization (RCO) for the area and conducts reviews through the Development Review Committee, Land Use Planning and Zoning committee, and Historic District Advisory Committee.
• Monthly E-Newsletter Members-only monthly electronic newsletter delivered to inboxes highlighting current events, resources, upcoming meetings, and community news.

Quantifiable outcome

• 10,000+ area residents served; 1,600+ member households
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Chestnut Hill Business District (CHBD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe CHBD organizes business-oriented events (Spring Home & Garden Festival, Fall for the Arts Festival) and collaborates with CHCA on shared community goals. Both organizations work together on zoning, development review, and business district stewardship. The CHBD also participates in the Passport to the Chestnut Hill Experience program.
• Chestnut Hill ConservancycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Conservancy partners with CHCA on land use planning, zoning review, and preservation advocacy. The CHCA Board includes Conservancy participation, and the two organizations jointly commissioned the 2017 Chestnut Hill Residential Conservation, Preservation, and Development Study. The Conservancy's Historic District Advisory Committee (HDAC) participates in CHCA's development review process.
• Friends of the Wissahickon (FOW)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFOW participates in CHCA's Development Review Committee as part of the RCO coordination. FOW works with CHCA on environmental and green space matters affecting the Wissahickon Watershed.
• Morris ArboretumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMorris Arboretum participates in the Green Space Initiative consortium and provides community garden plot access for CHCA members. The arboretum contributes to green space planning and environmental stewardship efforts.
• Temple Health - Chestnut Hill HospitalcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor event sponsor for multiple CHCA events including Pastorius Park Summer Concert Series, Movies Under the Stars, Holiday House Tour, and Hoops Madness Basketball Tournament. Tausha Saunders serves as the hospital's institutional representative on the CHCA Board.
• Woodmere Art MuseumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWoodmere Art Museum co-presents the Circle of Trees Celebration with CHCA, Chestnut Hill Business Association, and Conservancy. Anne Standish serves as the museum's institutional representative on the CHCA Board. Woodmere also hosts members-only docent tours for CHCA members.
• 45-70 Local Businesses (Passport Program)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal stores, restaurants, and businesses participate in the Passport to the Chestnut Hill Experience program, offering over $1,000 in discounts to CHCA members. Partners include Baker Street Bread, Chestnut Hill Brewing Company, Night Kitchen Bakery, Hilltop Books, McNally's, and many others. Business participation is voluntary and renewable annually.
• Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPHS supports the Chestnut Hill Tree Tenders program, supplying bareroot trees twice yearly for community planting. PHS administers the tree request application process and city approval for tree planting locations. Over 200 trees have been planted through this partnership in the past decade.
• Nolan PaintingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of the Pastorius Park Summer Concert Series (specifically the Runa Irish Super Group concert on June 24, 2026).
• Independence Blue CrossminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of the Pastorius Park Summer Concert Series (specifically the Gestalt Quartet concert on July 15, 2026).
• Harp-WeaverminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of the Pastorius Park Summer Concert Series (specifically the Michael Allman concert on July 8, 2026).
• Bowman PropertiesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMain sponsor of the Hoops Madness Basketball Tournament. Provides financial support for the annual youth and adult basketball tournament.
• Elfant Wissahickon Realtors (Kathy Krebs & Rachel Reilly)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsors of the Pastorius Park Summer Concert Series (specifically the children's concert featuring The Plants on June 17, 2026) and of Movies Under the Stars events.
• Kathy Krebs & Rachel Reilly with Elfant Wissahickon RealtorsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-sponsors of Movies Under the Stars outdoor movie series at Water Tower Recreation Center.
• Chestnut Hill Business District (Concert Series Sponsor)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of the Pastorius Park Summer Concert Series (specifically the Jazz 4 Nothin' concert on July 1, 2026).
• MemberLeapcoreTechnology or IntegrationMemberLeap provides the membership management software platform powering the CHCA website, event calendar, email communications, and member portal. All membership enrollment, renewal, event registration, and member communications are facilitated through the MemberLeap platform.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Regional players

• Chestnut Hill Business District: Business Improvement District-style organization serving Chestnut Hill merchants; co-presents community events with CHCA but is funded by commercial assessments rather than household dues — a complementary rather than competing model.
• Chestnut Hill Conservancy: Preservation-focused nonprofit operating in the same Chestnut Hill geography as CHCA; collaborates on zoning and historic district review but specializes in conservation rather than broader civic programming and membership dues.

Broad incumbents

• University City District: Larger Philadelphia district management organization combining BID services, public-space stewardship, and community programming at greater scale than CHCA; provides a benchmark for what a mature community-services district can grow into.

Direct peers

• East Falls Development Corporation: Philadelphia neighborhood development corporation serving East Falls, combining civic advocacy, events, and member services. Comparable to CHCA's mix of community representation, programming, and member-funded operations.
• Society Hill Civic Association: Philadelphia neighborhood civic association providing membership-based community advocacy, zoning/development review, and event programming for Society Hill residents — operates a near-identical model to CHCA in a different Philadelphia neighborhood.
• Mt. Airy USA: Philadelphia neighborhood-based nonprofit serving the Mt. Airy area adjacent to Chestnut Hill; provides community development, real-estate, and civic engagement programs funded by member support and institutional partners, directly comparable in mission and geography.
• Center City Residents' Association: Philadelphia downtown neighborhood association providing membership-supported civic advocacy, development review, and community programming; functionally parallel to CHCA's operating model in a denser urban context.
• Northern Liberties Neighbors Association: Philadelphia civic membership organization representing Northern Liberties residents on zoning, development, and community programming; mirrors CHCA's RCO-aligned neighborhood association model in a denser urban submarket.
• Old City Civic Association: Philadelphia civic association representing Old City residents on land use, zoning, and historic preservation; provides a comparable neighborhood-scale membership and advocacy model to CHCA.
• Manayunk Development Corporation: Manayunk's community development and events organization, providing neighborhood advocacy, festivals, and business district stewardship. Operates a structurally similar civic/economic-development hybrid model to CHCA.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CHCA_CHCF
• Facebookfacebook.com/ChestnutHillCommunityAssociation
• Instagraminstagram.com/chestnuthillcommunity
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/chestnut-hill-community-association

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles24 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 Chestnut Hill Community Association