South Shore Chamber of Commerce

What South Shore Chamber of Commerce does

The South Shore Chamber of Commerce is a nonprofit community and economic development organization headquartered at 1750 E. 71st Street in Chicago, Illinois, operating as the designated lead agency for economic development in the South Shore neighborhood. Founded in 1998 per firmographic data (with company history sources citing 2011 as the founding of the current programmatic mission), the Chamber serves small businesses, entrepreneurs, MWBE-certified firms, and community residents through a portfolio of interconnected programs including the Quality of Life Plan (funded by LISC), Special Service Area #42 enhanced corridor services, the Neighborhood Business Development Center, the Illinois Small Business Development Center, MWBE certification navigation, the Business Builders 12-week cohort, the Artisan Collective retail space, the Entrepreneur Cafe series, and the We The People Community Investment Vehicle for community-controlled real estate.

The Chamber operates with a small full-time team (approximately 6 employees led by Executive Director Tonya Trice plus Office Manager Ciera Whitaker) and a board representing real estate (Sterling Bay, MOT Development), finance (Providence Bank & Trust, Community Reinvestment Fund USA), legal (Dinsmore & Shohl), and corporate consulting (Accenture, Project Management Advisors). Its revenue model combines recurring annual membership dues (tiered $100-$1,000/year across residential, 1-5 employee, 6-10 employee, 11+ employee, and corporate tiers), grants and government program funding (LISC, City of Chicago BACP, Cook County, Tides Foundation), and administrative fees tied to SSA #42's localized property tax levy. It distributes that funding as pass-through grants and loans to member businesses — including $1.6 million deployed during the 2020 pandemic and civil unrest period — and coordinates over $600 million in broader South Shore development investment, including activity surrounding the Obama Presidential Center.

Name

South Shore Chamber of Commerce

Legal name

South Shore Chamber of Commerce

Website

https://southshorechamberinc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The South Shore Chamber of Commerce is a Chicago nonprofit community development organization serving as the designated lead agency for economic development in South Shore, supporting 105+ small businesses through training, technical assistance, corridor management (SSA #42), and grant/loan distribution.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Chamber of Commerce / Small Business Support Services

NAICS

Business Associations (81391)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Economic Development & Business Licensing (Local) (BPAIACAN)

Keywords

• Chamber of commerce services
• Small business support
• Economic development
• MWBE certification assistance
• Community business advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees based on business size tier. General membership ranges from $200-$400/year depending on number of employees (1-5, 6-10, 11+). Corporate membership at $1,000/year. Residential business owners pay $100/year.
2. Grants and Government Funding: The chamber serves as a fiscal agent and lead agency for economic development programs including SSA #42 service provider, NBDC (Neighborhood Business Development Center) site, and SBDC host. They have distributed grant and loan programs for small businesses.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

South Shore Chamber of Commerce is a nonprofit business association that supports small businesses and commercial corridors in Chicago's South Shore neighborhood through tiered memberships ($100–$1,000/year), training and technical assistance, MWBE certification navigation, networking mixers, capital-access workshops, and designated service-provider roles for SSA #42, NBDC, and the Illinois SBDC. It operates as the lead agency for economic development in the area and runs additional programs including the Quality of Life Plan, the Artisan Collective, the We The People Community Investment Vehicle, and the South Shore Business Directory.

Product overview

The South Shore Chamber of Commerce operates as a community and economic development organization offering a portfolio of interconnected programs and services. Core offerings include the Quality of Life Plan (QLP) for community planning, The Artisan Collective for artisan retail opportunities, Special Service Area #42 (SSA #42) for corridor services, and the We The People Community Investment Vehicle (CIV) for community real estate ownership. Business support services include MWBE certifications, the Business Builders 12-week cohort program, Neighborhood Business Development Center (NBDC), Illinois SBDC, and Entrepreneur Cafe networking events. The Chamber also maintains a South Shore Business Directory with 105 member businesses and offers annual membership with tiered benefits. Events include Small Business Mixer gatherings, Brunch & Business capital access workshops, Corridor Live! South Shore corridor development initiatives, and the annual South Shore Summer Festival. The Chamber serves as the lead agency for economic development in South Shore, coordinating with the City of Chicago, Cook County, and community partners.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Membership Program Tiered annual chamber membership offering South Shore small businesses marketing amplification, networking, educational workshops, business referrals, member-to-member discounts, an online directory listing, ribbon-cutting ceremonies, and member recognition across the Chamber's newsletters and events.
• MWBE Certifications Program that helps minority- and women-owned businesses complete MWBE certification paperwork and submit applications directly to the City of Chicago and Cook County, opening access to contracting opportunities with larger firms and government agencies.
• Business Builders 12-Week Cohort 12-week intensive cohort program providing structured business planning, management training, networking, and capital identification for South Shore entrepreneurs and early-stage business owners.
• Neighborhood Business Development Center (NBDC) Chamber-hosted NBDC site providing direct advisory on business plan development, site location, loan preparation, technical assistance, and City of Chicago licensing/permit navigation for local small businesses.
• Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Chamber-hosted Illinois Small Business Development Center providing day-to-day operations support, business advice, training, and resource access for South Shore small businesses.
• Entrepreneur Cafe Recurring networking and educational event series where South Shore entrepreneurs gather to learn about business resources, share expertise, and build professional relationships.
• Quality of Life Plan (QLP) LISC-funded, bottom-up comprehensive community planning effort through which South Shore community leaders and residents identify priorities across education, housing, jobs, public safety, economic opportunity, and personal finance.
• The Artisan Collective (TAC) Retail space opportunity for South Shore Chamber members to sell their products and services directly to the local South Shore community, designed to boost participating brands' awareness and growth.
• Special Service Area #42 (SSA #42) Special Service Area taxing district on 71st St. (Kimbark Ave. to South Shore Drive) and Stony Island Ave (67th-79th) that delivers enhanced corridor services including snow removal, litter abatement, landscaping, and security, with the South Shore Chamber serving as the contracted service provider.
• Corridor Live! South Shore Comprehensive corridor development strategy outlining a vision for a vibrant economic and cultural district along the 71st Street corridor, with components covering community wealth building, long-term real estate acquisition, short-term stabilization, façade enhancements, storefront signage, and corridor branding.
• We The People Community Investment Vehicle (CIV) Community-controlled real estate investment vehicle that lets South Shore residents pool financial resources to buy and control neighborhood real estate assets along the 71st Street corridor, operating as a community crowdfunding alternative to traditional development.
• South Shore Business Directory Publicly searchable online directory of 105+ South Shore member businesses organized across categories including Art, Auto, Beauty/Fashion/Health, Food/Restaurants, Professional Services, Real Estate, and Transportation, providing member businesses with online visibility.
• Small Business Mixer Events Monthly networking events bringing together South Shore small business owners, community leaders, and entrepreneurs to build relationships, explore opportunities, and celebrate local entrepreneurship.
• Brunch & Business Quarterly educational workshop series focused on helping South Shore businesses understand and access capital, featuring financial experts such as Huntington Bank and Allies for Community Business and connecting entrepreneurs to funding opportunities.
• South Shore Summer Festival Annual South Shore celebration featuring live performances, local artists, musicians, cultural performers, a vendor marketplace, local food vendors, and family activities.

Quantifiable outcome

• $1.6M in grants and loans distributed to the community in 2020 alone
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 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

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Allies for Community BusinessminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 March 2026Amanda Askew from Allies for Community Business spoke at Brunch & Business event on accessing capital for business growth, sharing knowledge on navigating funding options.
• Dr. Andre PerryminorOthers · 2 July 2025Keynote speaker at Juneteenth gathering on building generational wealth and community power through commercial real estate ownership. Researcher and author whose work reveals commercial corridors as gateways to Black communities where ownership builds lasting wealth.
• RiseKitminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 March 2021Job and resource portal partnership to help South Shore residents find employment opportunities and connect talented community members to local businesses looking to hire.
• Cook County Small Business SourcecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe chamber partners with The Source's network of experienced advisors to provide business advising services. Chamber members and local businesses can sign up for free advising sessions with Cook County's business advisors.
• SSA #42 (Special Service Area #42)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSSA #42 is a local business district that funds expanded services along 71st St. and Stony Island Ave through a localized property tax levy. The South Shore Chamber is the proud service provider. Boundaries: 71st from Kimbark Ave. to South Shore Drive; Stony Island 67th to 73rd (Eastside) and 67th to 79th (Westside).
• Neighborhood Network AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborating entity in the South Shore Quality of Life Plan initiative, working with community leaders and residents to identify priorities for better education, housing, jobs, safer streets, economic opportunities, and stronger personal finances.
• South Shore WorkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborating entity in the Quality of Life Plan, working to identify community priorities for South Shore revitalization and development.
• Sunshine EnterprisescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the South Shore Artisan Community Business Academy, a 12-week cohort program in business planning and management for creatives. Collaboration between South Shore Chamber and Sunshine Enterprises.
• Food Lab ChicagominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a program/initiated partner of the South Shore Chamber, supporting food and restaurant business development in the community.
• City of Chicago (BACP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrong business alliance with the City of Chicago and BACP (Business Affairs and Consumer Protection). Helps implement the City's Neighborhood Small Business Growth Strategy. Assists businesses with City licensing and permit requirements.
• Kirkland & Ellis LLPminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPro bono attorney Yates French of Kirkland & Ellis LLP represented the chamber, going to court three times over three years to prove the chamber did not improperly withhold $17,000 in government grants. A judge cleared their name in a final ruling.
• Community Desk ChicagocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the We The People Community Investment Vehicle (CIV). Provides CIV Playbook & Assessment Tool and education about community investment vehicles for neighborhood real estate asset control.
• Stoviink CreativesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with South Shore Chamber on Small Business Mixer June 2025. Partner in Pen & Paper creative collective. Presented 'Humans Under Experimentation' creativity and wellness demonstration.
• Business Leadership CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCory Thames serves as Chief Engagement Officer representing Business Leadership Council on the chamber's board of directors.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Greater Chicago Chamber of Commerce: The citywide chamber of commerce for Chicago — same product category (membership-based business association providing programming, advocacy, and networking) but operating at metropolitan scale rather than a single neighborhood.
• Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Chicago: The funder of South Shore's Quality of Life Plan and a national CDFI operating the same community-development, small-business, and corridor-revitalization programming at greater scale across Chicago.
• Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce: A statewide, ethnicity-focused chamber providing MWBE certifications, training, networking, and contract-access services — broader geographic scope but overlapping product offering and constituency model.

Direct peers

• Women's Business Development Center: Chicago nonprofit providing small-business training, certification support (WBE/MBE), and capital access programming — directly comparable in mission and member service mix to South Shore Chamber's entrepreneur offerings.
• Chicago Minority Business Development Council: Chicago-focused nonprofit that delivers MWBE certification, capacity-building, and contract-access services to minority-owned firms, mirroring the Chamber's MWBE Certification, NBDC, and SBDC support stack.
• Austin Chamber of Commerce (Chicago): Another Chicago neighborhood-scale chamber running parallel small-business development, corridor programming, and MWBE support for West Side businesses — structurally the closest function-for-function peer.
• Chatham Business Association (Chicago): A neighborhood-scale Chicago chamber serving Chatham and surrounding South Side communities with small-business development, MWBE support, and corridor programming — the closest structural and geographic comparable to South Shore Chamber.

Regional players

• Greater Southwest Development Corporation: A neighboring South Side economic-development agency delivering corridor revitalization, small-business technical assistance, and community planning in adjacent geographies — same operating model, different territory.

Others

• Cook County Small Business Source: County-funded small-business advisory network that the Chamber is a referral partner for; comparable provider of business advising, training, and capital-access referral services to SMBs in the same region.
• Community Desk Chicago: A partner organization that co-developed South Shore's We The People CIV playbook, providing resident-controlled real-estate tools used by CDCs and community chambers citywide.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/southshorechamberchicago
• Instagraminstagram.com/southshorechamberinc
• Xx.com/sschamberchi

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 South Shore Chamber of Commerce