Wisconsin Lgbt Chamber Of Commerce, Inc.

What Wisconsin Lgbt Chamber Of Commerce, Inc. does

The Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce, Inc. is a Milwaukee-based non-profit chamber of commerce founded in 2012, serving as the state's exclusive affiliate of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC). It supports a membership of 740+ Wisconsin businesses, with services spanning LGBTBE (LGBT Business Enterprise) certification, supplier diversity matchmaking, advocacy, professional development, and member-to-member networking. The organization won NGLCC's National Chamber of the Year award in 2015 and has since expanded programming to include BIPOC-owned, Trans-owned, and broader supplier diversity cohorts.

The organization operates on the GrowthZone association management platform, which handles member directories, event registration, and dues processing — a conventional SaaS stack typical of mid-size chambers rather than custom-built technology. Service delivery is event-driven (signature mixers, annual business awards, corporate partner spotlights) and certification-driven, with corporate partners such as BMO, Molson Coors, and CIBC sponsoring both events and program-specific initiatives.

Revenue is generated through three primary streams: tiered membership dues (individual, small business, and corporate partner levels), event ticket sales and corporate event sponsorships, and LGBTBE certification fees. Supplemental income derives from state grant programs, which in 2023-2024 funded additional staff hires. The customer base is split between a large long-tail of small business members and a concentrated set of corporate partners whose sponsorship commitments anchor event and program revenue. The organization's statewide geographic focus on Wisconsin, combined with its exclusive NGLCC certification authority, defines its competitive perimeter.

Name

Wisconsin Lgbt Chamber Of Commerce, Inc.

Legal name

Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce

Website

https://wislgbtchamber.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce is a Milwaukee-based non-profit founded in 2012, serving as the state's exclusive NGLCC affiliate. It supports 740+ Wisconsin businesses through LGBTBE certification, supplier diversity matchmaking, advocacy, and networking events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Chamber of Commerce / Business Association Services

NAICS

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGAFAE

LGBTQ+ Rights & Advocacy Organizations

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Civil Rights, Advocacy & Public Policy Organizations

SECONDARYCRAEADAI

Specialty Membership Clubs (Category-Focused)

Consumer Products & Retail/Discount, Club & Value Retail/Warehouse Clubs & Membership-Based Retail

Keywords

• LGBTQ business networking
• Chamber of commerce services
• LGBTBE certification
• Supplier diversity programs
• Entrepreneur education

Headquarters

HQ city

Milwaukee

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 membership fees from LGBTQ+ owned businesses and allied businesses, with tiered membership levels including regular corporate, gold, platinum, and founding member tiers offering increasing benefits and engagement opportunities.
2. Event Tickets and Sponsorships: Revenue generated from event admissions including OUT in the Kitchen ($45-60 per ticket), Eggs & Economics Breakfast ($65-85 per ticket), and sponsorship packages for signature events.
3. LGBTBE Certification: The Chamber offers LGBT Business Enterprise (LGBTBE) certification through partnership with NGLCC, providing certification services to help businesses access supplier diversity opportunities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

The Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce is a membership-based nonprofit that sells tiered chamber memberships to LGBTQ+ owned and allied businesses, providing members with access to an online business directory, an LGBT Business Enterprise (LGBTBE) certification pathway via NGLCC, a job board, networking events, and educational programs such as the LGBTQ+ Entrepreneur Bootcamp, Business Leadership Academy, L.E.A.D. Series, and Culture Elevation Series. It also packages corporate sponsorship opportunities for signature events and applies for and administers grants on behalf of member businesses.

Product overview

The Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce operates as a membership-based organization offering a suite of interconnected programs and services for LGBTQ+-owned and allied businesses. The core offerings include a Business Directory for member discovery, LGBTBE Certification for supplier diversity, and a Job Board for employment connections. Educational programs include the LGBTQ+ Entrepreneur Bootcamp, Business Leadership Academy, Culture Elevation Series, and L.E.A.D. Series. The Chamber also provides member benefits such as a Prescription Drug Card, Pride Toolkit, Network Health Discount, and banking partnerships. Additional programs include the Ambassador Program for volunteer leadership, Membership Awards for recognition, and the LGBTQ Workplace Alliance for corporate resource group networking.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• LGBTQ+ Entrepreneur Bootcamp: Program helping new entrepreneurs get tools to build and sustain successful businesses
• LGBTQ Workplace Alliance
• Business Leadership Academy
• Culture Elevation Series
• L.E.A.D. Series
• Pride Toolkit
• Ambassador Program
• Wisconsin LGBT Chamber Foundation

Products and services

• Chamber Membership (tiered: regular corporate, gold, platinum, founding member) Tiered annual membership for LGBTQ+ owned and allied businesses in Wisconsin, with increasing benefits at regular corporate, gold, platinum, and founding member levels including networking event access, directory listing, LGBTBE certification assistance, and corporate visibility.
• LGBTBE Certification Certification pathway that helps businesses become officially recognized as LGBT Business Enterprises, unlocking access to corporate supplier diversity programs and contracts.
• Business Directory Searchable online directory of Chamber members across industries from catering services to medical care, providing visibility to consumers and corporate buyers seeking LGBTQ+ owned and allied businesses in Wisconsin.
• Job Board Online employment board connecting job seekers with member organizations committed to LGBTQ+ inclusion and diversity, featuring postings from inclusive employers such as Epic and Northeast Wisconsin Technical College.
• LGBTQ+ Entrepreneur Bootcamp Training program providing LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs with foundational tools, mentorship, and resources to build and sustain successful businesses.
• Business Leadership Academy Educational program for Chamber members providing leadership development tools and resources for business success.
• L.E.A.D. Series Virtual webinar series for Chamber members providing educational content on topics such as business compliance, SEO, and professional development.
• Culture Elevation Series Workshop series delivered in partnership with humanworks8 covering workplace culture improvements, people-first hiring processes, and talent discovery for member organizations.
• LGBTQ Workplace Alliance Network program bringing together employee resource groups (ERGs) and business resource groups (BRGs) from member organizations to share best practices for LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion.
• Ambassador Program Volunteer leadership opportunity for members to represent the Chamber, welcome new members, and promote engagement across Wisconsin regions.
• Membership Awards Annual awards program recognizing outstanding businesses, leaders, and advocates advancing diversity and inclusion across categories such as Corporate Partner of the Year, LGBTQ Business of the Year, and Business Resource Group of the Year.
• Prescription Drug Discount Card Free prescription drug discount card providing members and their families with savings up to 80% at over 68,000 national and regional pharmacies.
• Elavon & U.S. Bank Partnership Preferred banking and payment processing services offered to Chamber members through a partnership with Elavon and U.S. Bank.
• Network Health Discount Health insurance discount program available to Chamber members in partnership with Network Health.
• Wisconsin LGBTQ Travel Guide Travel guide resource for LGBTQ+ travelers visiting or living in Wisconsin, distributed as part of the Chamber's LGBTQ Guides product line.

Quantifiable outcome

• $170,000 in grants distributed to 19 Wisconsin businesses in 2022 through NGLCC/Grubhub partnership
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• CIBCflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 September 2024CIBC joined as the newest Platinum Founding Member in September 2024, bringing the Chamber's membership to over 740 businesses. CIBC is a leading North American financial institution with 14 million clients, focusing on social and economic opportunities for underrepresented people. CIBC is a supporting sponsor of the LGBTQ+ Entrepreneur Bootcamp.
• National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 February 2023NGLCC is the business voice of the LGBTQ community and the exclusive certification body for LGBT-owned businesses (LGBTBE). The Wisconsin Chamber is an NGLCC Affiliate Chamber and participates in the NGLCC Community Impact Grant Program with Grubhub, having distributed $170,000 to 19 Wisconsin businesses in 2022. The partnership provides LGBTBE certification pipeline and access to national grant programs totaling $1.5 million.
• GrubhubcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 February 2023Grubhub partners with NGLCC and its affiliate chambers including the Wisconsin LGBT Chamber to provide grants to LGBTQ+-owned restaurants and bars. The $1.5 million grant program allows the Chamber to support local food establishments through the Community Impact Grant Program, with funds used for equipment, marketing, staff training, and infrastructure updates.
• BMOflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerBMO is a Diamond Founding Member and presents major Chamber events including the Business Awards & Showcase. BMO Harris Bank provides sponsorship and support for Chamber programming, demonstrating commitment to LGBTQ+ business community in Wisconsin.
• Molson Coors BeverageflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerMolson Coors Beverage is a Diamond Founding Member with active L.A.G.E.R. (LGBTQ+ and Allies Group Employee Resources) Business Resource Group that was recognized as Business Resource Group of the Year in 2023. The company actively supports Chamber events and LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion.
• Enterprise MobilitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnterprise Mobility is a Platinum Founding Member supporting the Chamber's mission to build an inclusive business community in Wisconsin.
• Forward Madison FCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerForward Madison FC joined as Platinum Partner in January 2024. The soccer team is a USL League One charter member committed to fostering community engagement and creating an inclusive environment. This partnership promotes diversity and collaboration between the business community and sports industry.
• Froedtert & Medical College of WisconsincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFroedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin is a Platinum Founding Member with an active LGBTQA Business Resource Group that was recognized as Business Resource Group of the Year in 2022, focusing on healthcare disparities impacting LGBTQ+ populations.
• Michael Best & Friedrich LLPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMichael Best is a Platinum Founding Member that joined in 2016 and has received a perfect 100% score on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's Corporate Equality Index for six consecutive years. The firm has participated in the Business Leadership Academy, Leadership Advisory Council, and presented on business legal structures for the LGBTQ Entrepreneurial Bootcamp.
• KohlercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKohler Co. is a Platinum Founding Member recognized as Corporate Partner of the Year in 2023. The company's PROUD Business Resource Group creates programming to help employees understand LGBTQIA+ challenges and engages customers through targeted events. Kohler includes LGBTQIA+ owned businesses in their corporate supply chain.
• MilliporeSigmacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMilliporeSigma (Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany) became a Gold Member in 2022 and holds a perfect 100 score on the Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index. The company has over 26,000 employees and is committed to mirroring the diversity of customers and communities.
• Milwaukee BuckscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMilwaukee Bucks is a Platinum Founding Member supporting the Chamber's inclusive business community initiatives.
• UW Credit UnioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUW Credit Union is a Platinum Founding Member supporting financial services access and community development for LGBTQ+ and allied businesses in Wisconsin.
• Wisconsin Department of Financial InstitutionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions partners with the Chamber for the L.E.A.D. Series, providing practical overviews of Wisconsin business entity requirements including business names, registered agents, annual reports, and steps to maintain business good standing.
• humanworks8coreStrategic or Co-development Partnerhumanworks8 partners with the Chamber for the Culture Elevation Series, delivering workshops on people-first hiring processes, organizational culture development, and talent discovery that help member organizations build thriving teams.
• Discovery WorldminorOthersDiscovery World in Milwaukee serves as the venue for the Chamber's OUT in the Kitchen annual culinary networking event, hosting 10th annual event in 2026.
• Baird CenterminorOthersBaird Center in Milwaukee serves as the venue for the Chamber's Eggs & Economics Breakfast 2027, with the North Building offering state-of-the-art meeting facilities for the signature economic forecasting event.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Out & Equal Workplace Advocates: National LGBTQ+ workplace equality organization focused on employee resource groups and corporate inclusion. Directly comparable to the Chamber's LGBTQ Workplace Alliance program and Business Resource Group of the Year awards.
• StartOut: National LGBTQ+ entrepreneur network that supports LGBTQ+ founders through mentorship, programming, and community. Directly comparable to the Wisconsin LGBT Chamber's LGBTQ+ Entrepreneur Bootcamp and serves a similar LGBTQ+ business-owner audience.
• National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC): National umbrella organization that certifies LGBTBEs and affiliates with state chambers including the Wisconsin LGBT Chamber. Wisconsin is explicitly an NGLCC Affiliate Chamber, making NGLCC the closest direct peer in mission, business model, and certification offering.

Emerging players

• CenterLink: Network of more than 250 LGBTQ+ community centers across the U.S. Adjacent to the Wisconsin LGBT Chamber's role as a community hub for LGBTQ+ businesses, with overlap in programming and member services.
• Reaching Out MBA: Nonprofit building LGBTQ+ visibility in business education and professional development. Comparable to the Chamber's Business Leadership Academy and L.E.A.D. Series programming for LGBTQ+ professional development.

Broad incumbents

• National Black Chamber of Commerce: National organization promoting Black-owned businesses through chamber networks, advocacy, and supplier diversity. Operates a similar chamber-of-commerce model for an underrepresented business community.
• U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce: National umbrella organization representing Hispanic-owned businesses through a network of local and regional chambers. Closely comparable business model as a minority-focused business advocacy and chamber organization at greater scale.
• Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship (National ACE): National chamber advancing AAPI-owned businesses through local chamber affiliates, advocacy, and certification pipelines. Same minority-focused chamber-of-commerce model as the Wisconsin LGBT Chamber.

Others

• Equality Federation: Network of state-based LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations. Thematically related through shared mission of advancing LGBTQ+ equality, though focused on policy advocacy rather than business networking.

Regional players

• Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC): General-purpose regional business chamber in the same Milwaukee geography as the Wisconsin LGBT Chamber. Operates a comparable chamber-of-commerce model for a non-niche business audience in the same region.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/WiLGBTChamber
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wisconsin-lgbt-chamber-of-commerce
• Instagraminstagram.com/wislgbtchamber
• Xx.com/WiLGBTChamber

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 Wisconsin Lgbt Chamber Of Commerce, Inc.