El Cerrito Chamber of Commerce

What El Cerrito Chamber of Commerce does

The El Cerrito Chamber of Commerce is an independent 501(c)(6) non-profit membership organization serving local businesses in El Cerrito, California. It functions as the recognized voice of local business, delivering tiered membership (eight employee-count tiers from $149 Associate to $700 for 100+ employees, billed annually with auto-renewal), event programming (mixers, Lunch & Learns, Mega Mixers with neighboring chambers), the Best of El Cerrito annual awards program with formal sponsorship tiers of $500–$3,500, the quarterly Insider newsletter in print and digital flipbook formats, and curated directories including Women Owned and Black Owned listings. Operational infrastructure runs on Wild Apricot membership management software, which powers the member directory, event registration, and email communications; monthly outreach reaches roughly 15,000 community members across email, web, and Instagram. Revenue is generated through membership dues, event sponsorships, and newsletter advertising, and the Chamber maintains formal ties with the City of El Cerrito as a Partner Sponsor and with El Cerrito Honda and East Bay Sanitary Co. as primary commercial sponsors, while the 2026 Farmers Market at El Cerrito Plaza is operated by the Regional Farmers' Market Association under partnership.

The Chamber's go-to-market is community- and event-led: members are acquired through word-of-mouth referrals, monthly Ambassador meetings at FatApple's Bakery, ribbon cuttings, and visibility from community events including the July 4th festival. A 5-person staff supports a member base of approximately 140 businesses (2025), governed by a volunteer Board of Directors whose 2026 composition includes Kevin O'Neal (President), Detra Harris (Vice President), Mark Figone (Treasurer), Aissia Ashoori (Secretary), and directors Kathleen Mascarenhas, Dr. AnnMarie Baines, Sheriff Demetri, Joel Roster, and Kyle Ashcraft. Programs target three segments: local SMBs (sole proprietors through 100+ employee firms), Associate Members without a place of business, and nonprofit organizations aligned with shop-local initiatives.

Name

El Cerrito Chamber of Commerce

Legal name

El Cerrito Chamber of Commerce

Website

https://elcerritochamber.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The El Cerrito Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit membership organization serving approximately 140 local businesses in El Cerrito, California, via tiered dues, the Best of El Cerrito awards program, the Insider newsletter, networking events, advocacy with the City, and a Farmers Market partnership.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Chamber of Commerce / Business Association Services

NAICS

Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Association & Society Conference Management (Nonprofit, Professional Bodies) (THAHACAA)

Keywords

• Chamber of commerce
• Business membership association
• Local business advocacy
• Networking events
• Community marketing

Headquarters

HQ city

El Cerrito

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: The Chamber generates primary revenue through tiered membership dues based on employee count. Membership tiers range from 1-5 employees at $247/year to over 100 employees at $700/year, plus an Associate Membership at $149/year for supporters without a place of business.
2. Advertising and Promotional Opportunities: Revenue is generated through advertising in the Insider newsletter (print and digital), website listings, social media promotion, and email newsletters reaching 15K+ community members monthly.
3. Event Sponsorships: Best of El Cerrito program and other Chamber events are supported by sponsor revenue at multiple tiers: Premier ($3,500), Partner ($2,000), Associate ($1,000), and Supporter ($500).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The El Cerrito Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit membership organization that provides local businesses with networking, advocacy, marketing, education, and community partnership programs. Core offerings include tiered membership benefits, the annual Best of El Cerrito awards program, the quarterly Insider newsletter, the Ambassadors networking program, a member directory, the Shop Local platform, and a community calendar, all delivered to approximately 140 member businesses in El Cerrito, California.

Product overview

The El Cerrito Chamber of Commerce is a membership-based organization (not a software product company) offering a portfolio of programs and services to support local businesses. Its core offerings include a tiered Membership Benefits Program, an annual Best of El Cerrito awards program, The Insider quarterly newsletter, Chamber Ambassadors Program, and the El Cerrito Farmers Market. Supporting services include a Member Directory, Shop Local platform, Community Calendar for member event promotion, and specialized directories for women-owned and Black-owned businesses. The Chamber also organizes regular networking events including mixers, Lunch & Learns, and Mega Mixers with neighboring chambers. All programs are managed through the Wild Apricot membership management platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Best of El Cerrito: Annual program celebrating businesses of all sizes that make El Cerrito special, encouraging community members to nominate and vote for their favorite local businesses.
• The Insider

Products and services

• Membership Benefits Program Tiered membership program for local businesses and supporters, offering networking events, advocacy, referrals, marketing through the Insider newsletter, ribbon-cutting ceremonies, professional development, and a membership logo for public image. Member tiers range from 1-5 employees ($247/year) up to Over 100 employees ($700/year), plus an Associate Membership ($149/year) for non-business supporters.
• Best of El Cerrito Awards Program Annual community nominations and voting program that celebrates local businesses across categories, with winners announced at the WorldOne July 4th Festival and an awards ceremony hosted by El Cerrito Honda in September. Sponsored at Premier ($3,500), Partner ($2,000), Associate ($1,000), and Supporter ($500) tiers.
• The Insider Newsletter Quarterly print and digital flipbook newsletter featuring member news, Chamber updates, community stories, and business spotlights. Free printed copies are distributed to City Hall and member businesses; digital flipbook is available on the website. Advertising space is sold to members and sponsors.
• Member Directory Online searchable directory of Chamber members organized by categories including Animal Services, Civic Services, Food & Drink, Health & Beauty Services, Household & General Services, Kids, Lifestyle & Leisure, Professional Services, Retail Stores, and Non-Profit.
• Shop Local Platform Promotional platform encouraging community support for local businesses, featuring curated categories such as Restaurants/Bars/Cafes, Home & Real Estate, Retail/Beauty & Wellness, Professional Services, Family & Community, Arts & Entertainment, and Automotive.
• Community Calendar Online calendar platform where Chamber members can promote their own events to the broader community, accessible through the membership login system.
• Chamber Ambassadors Program Monthly networking and mentorship initiative where Ambassadors welcome new members, support events, and foster community connections. The program meets the first Wednesday of each month at FatApple's Bakery.
• El Cerrito Farmers Market Certified Farmers' Market operating Tuesdays and Saturdays from 9 AM to 1 PM at El Cerrito Plaza, featuring local certified growers, packaged foods, hot foods, and artisans. Since May 2025, operated by the Regional Farmers' Market Association with booth space opportunities for Chamber members and community groups.
• Chamber Networking Events (Mixers & Lunch & Learns) Regular networking events including evening mixers, Lunch & Learns, Mega Mixers with neighboring chambers, and specialized events such as the Classic Car Show and Golf Tournament.
• Women Owned (& Led) Businesses Directory Curated list of women-owned and women-led businesses in El Cerrito and surrounding areas, compiled by the Chamber to help consumers find and support these businesses.
• Black Owned (& Led) Businesses Directory Curated list of Black-owned and Black-led businesses in El Cerrito and surrounding areas, compiled by the Chamber to help consumers find and support these businesses.

Quantifiable outcome

• Membership grew to nearly 140 members in 2025
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 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

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and premier.

• Regional Farmers' Market AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2025As of May 2025, the Regional Farmers' Market Association took over operations of the El Cerrito Farmers' Market at El Cerrito Plaza. The Association operates the certified market on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 9 AM to 1 PM, working with local certified growers, food producers, and artisans. The partnership provides booth space opportunities for Chamber Members and community groups.
• City of El CerritocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Chamber works closely with city leaders to promote a thriving local business environment. The City is a Partner Sponsor of Best of El Cerrito 2026 and provides support for Chamber initiatives including the annual 4th of July festival.
• East Bay Sanitary Co., Inc.coreGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor long-standing sponsor of Chamber activities, including being thanked as a key supporter on the homepage. Mark Figone, President of East Bay Sanitary, serves as Chamber Treasurer and has been on the board since 2002.
• El Cerrito HondapremierGTM or Marketing PartnerPremier Sponsor of Best of El Cerrito 2026. Sheriff Demetri, General Manager, serves on the Chamber Board of Directors. Hosts the annual Awards Ceremony in September.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Regional players

• Berkeley Chamber of Commerce: Chamber of Commerce serving Berkeley, CA, the adjacent East Bay city to El Cerrito. Directly comparable in operating model (membership dues, networking events, advocacy), with a larger membership base and broader regional footprint.
• Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce: Larger East Bay chamber serving Oakland businesses. Comparable in core mission (advocacy, networking, member marketing) but operates at significantly greater scale with more corporate and institutional members.
• Richmond Chamber of Commerce: Chamber of Commerce serving neighboring Richmond, CA. Closest geographic peer with similar small-city, SMB-dominated membership composition and tiered dues structure.
• Albany Chamber of Commerce: Small East Bay city chamber adjacent to El Cerrito. Nearly identical operating model—membership dues, mixers, local advocacy—serving a similarly small demographic footprint.

Broad incumbents

• Contra Costa Chamber of Commerce: County-level chamber serving all of Contra Costa County, including El Cerrito. Comparable mission and programs but operates at broader regional scale with larger member organizations.
• U.S. Chamber of Commerce: The national umbrella chamber. Shares the broad mission of business advocacy and member services but operates as a federal-policy and large-enterprise organization, not a local community hub.
• California Chamber of Commerce: Statewide chamber of commerce. Same fundamental membership-organization model but operates at vastly greater scale, focused on state-level legislative advocacy and policy rather than local networking.

Others

• SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives): National nonprofit providing free mentorship, workshops, and resources to small businesses. Complementary rather than competitive; both organizations serve SMB community needs through education and advocacy.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/elcerritochamber
• Instagraminstagram.com/elcerrito_chamber
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/el-cerrito-chamber-of-commerce

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 El Cerrito Chamber of Commerce