Carolinas LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce

What Carolinas LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce does

The Carolinas LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce (CLGBTCC) is a nonprofit regional business membership organization founded in 1992 and headquartered at 2838 Queen City Dr., Suite A, Charlotte, NC. The Chamber serves LGBTQ+ and allied businesses and professionals across both North and South Carolina, operating seven regional networks spanning the Charleston, Charlotte, Columbia, Greensboro/High Point, Myrtle Beach, Western NC, and Winston-Salem metros. Its stated mission is to grow economic success, equity, and inclusion for the LGBTQ+ business community in the Carolinas.

CLGBTCC delivers a portfolio of community-based programs rather than technology products: an online searchable Member Directory spanning categories such as Travel/Lodging, Technology/Communications, Financial, Legal, Marketing/Printing, Real Estate, Restaurant/Hospitality, Professional Services, and Non-Profit; LGBTBE (LGBT Business Enterprise) certification that connects certified firms to corporate supplier diversity programs; networking programming; professional development offerings including a Lunch & Learn Series, Resource Connect-ERG/BRG, and Internship Programs; the TGXCarolinas signature event supporting transgender and gender non-conforming professionals; Rainbow Ribbon Cutting ceremonies for new LGBTQ+-owned or affirming businesses; and a tiered Corporate Partnership program. Technology is not a core differentiator — the organization is explicitly positioned as a community and membership body, with a web-based member portal, event calendar, and social channels (Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube) supporting rather than driving the offering.

Revenue flows through three streams: recurring annual membership dues (with auto-renewal and a seven-day cancellation notice), corporate partnership sponsorships at tiered engagement levels, and event sponsorships/registration fees. Pricing tiers are not publicly disclosed. Member acquisition is community-led via the website, online applications, ambassador referrals, and regional event programming. The Chamber serves hundreds of members across diverse industries, with named member spotlights including CLT Geek, Q Fitness and Wellness, and A Great Idea, and named corporate partner Shake Shack. The team is small (1–10 employees), with a public-facing Director of Communications (Zach Anderson) and a 2026 Board of Directors.

Name

Carolinas LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce

Legal name

Carolinas LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce

Website

https://clgbtcc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Carolinas LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce is a 1992-founded nonprofit headquartered in Charlotte, NC that supports LGBTQ+ and allied businesses and professionals across North and South Carolina through seven regional networks, delivering membership, LGBTBE certification, networking, professional development, and signature events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Business Association Services (Chamber of Commerce)

akta.pro primary industry

LGBTQ+ Rights & Advocacy Organizations (BPAGAFAE)

Keywords

• Chamber of commerce
• Business networking
• Professional development
• LGBTBE certification
• Supplier diversity

Headquarters

HQ city

Charlotte

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 dues for businesses and professionals seeking to join the Chamber. Fees are non-refundable and subject to auto-renewal with seven days notice prior to processing.
2. Corporate Partnership Programs: Corporate partners sponsor the Chamber at various levels, receiving visibility and recognition. Corporate partner spotlights feature partners like Shake Shack.
3. Event Sponsorships: Some Chamber events are exclusive to members or require additional registration fees. Event sponsorships are non-refundable unless explicitly stated in writing.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Carolinas LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce is a nonprofit business membership organization that supports LGBTQ+ and allied businesses and professionals across North and South Carolina through networking programs, professional development (Lunch & Learn, Resource Connect, Internship Programs), LGBTBE certification, member directory visibility, signature events such as TGXCarolinas, corporate partnership sponsorships, and policy advocacy for economic equity. It operates seven regional networks spanning Charlotte, Charleston, Columbia, Greensboro/High Point, Myrtle Beach, Western NC, and Winston-Salem, and serves hundreds of member businesses across multiple industry categories.

Product overview

The Carolinas LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce operates as a regional business membership organization rather than a technology product company. It offers a unified platform of programs and services including an online Member Directory, LGBTBE Certification, Networking Programs, Professional Development (Lunch & Learn Series, Internship Programs), signature events like TGXCarolinas, and various membership tiers including Corporate Partnership and Ambassador Programs. The Chamber serves the LGBTQ+ and allied business community across multiple regions in North and South Carolina through its Impact Center, economic development initiatives, and community programming.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Member Directory
• LGBTBE Certification Certification program for LGBTQ+ Business Enterprises that helps qualifying businesses gain recognition and access to corporate diversity procurement programs; intended for LGBTQ+ business owners seeking supplier-diversity credentials.
• Networking Programs Strategic networking programs including 'Networking as a Strategic Advantage' designed to help LGBTQ+ and allied businesses build professional connections across the Carolinas.
• Professional Development Career and professional development offerings including the Lunch & Learn Series, Resource Connect-ERG/BRG, and Internship Programs, targeted at LGBTQ+ professionals, employee resource groups, and emerging talent.
• TGXCarolinas Signature event series supporting transgender and gender non-conforming professionals and business owners across the Carolinas, delivered through the Chamber's regional networks.
• Rainbow Ribbon Cutting Ceremony program celebrating and showcasing newly opened LGBTQ+-owned or affirming businesses; intended for LGBTQ+ business owners launching a new location in the Carolinas.
• Corporate Partnership Program Tiered corporate partnership opportunity for organizations seeking to support LGBTQ+ businesses and demonstrate commitment to diversity and inclusion; targeted at companies pursuing supplier diversity, DEI, or community-engagement objectives.
• Events Calendar Comprehensive calendar of Chamber events, programming, and signature events across the Carolinas regions, accessible to members and the public via the Chamber's online portal.
• CLGBTCC Ambassador Program Ambassador program enabling existing members to represent and promote the Chamber within their professional networks; supports member acquisition and community engagement.
• Impact Center Central resource hub providing information on the Chamber's initiatives, programs, and community impact, serving as a reference point for members, partners, and stakeholders.
• Economic Development Initiatives Economic development programs for North and South Carolina LGBTQ+ and allied businesses, encompassing LGBTBE certification and Rainbow Ribbon Cuttings to advance economic equity and visibility.

Named customers4 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

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Atlanta Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce: Regional LGBTQ+ chamber serving the Atlanta metro with member networking, business development, and corporate partner programs. Direct peer with the same membership/revenue model in the Southeast U.S.
• New York City Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce: One of the oldest LGBTQ+ chambers in the U.S., serving NYC-area LGBTQ+ and allied businesses through networking, certification, and advocacy. Direct peer operating the same chamber-of-commerce model in a major metro.
• Greater Houston LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce: A regional LGBTQ+ chamber of commerce serving the Houston metro with networking, business certification, and corporate partner programs. It is a direct functional peer operating the same membership/chamber model in a different geography.
• Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce: Regional LGBTQ+ chamber serving Miami-Dade with member networking, advocacy, and corporate engagement programs. Direct peer operating the same chamber model in a different Southeast/Florida geography.
• San Francisco Bay Area LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce: Bay Area LGBTQ+ chamber offering networking events, LGBTBE certification, and corporate partnerships to LGBTQ+ and allied businesses. Direct functional peer with overlapping program mix in a different U.S. geography.

Others

• U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce: National umbrella for Hispanic business chambers, supporting minority-owned business certification, advocacy, and corporate procurement access. Analogous model (identity-based business chamber network with certification) rather than a direct competitor.
• National Black Chamber of Commerce: National organization supporting Black-owned businesses through advocacy, certification, and corporate engagement. Analogous minority-business chamber model relevant for benchmarking programming and partner activation.

Emerging players

• CenterLink: The Community of LGBT Centers: Network of LGBTQ+ community centers across North America providing programming, capacity-building, and advocacy support. Adjacent peer — supports LGBTQ+ economic empowerment and community-building but centers operate community-services rather than chamber models.
• Out & Equal Workplace Advocates: National LGBTQ+ workplace advocacy organization focused on corporate LGBTQ+ inclusion through training, summits, and ERG programming. Comparable mission (LGBTQ+ economic/ workplace advancement) but emphasizes corporate consulting rather than local chamber membership.

Broad incumbents

• NGLCC (National LGBT Chamber of Commerce): NGLCC is the national umbrella LGBTQ+ chamber of commerce that certifies LGBTBEs and supports a network of local affiliate chambers. It is the direct national analog to the Carolinas LGBT+ Chamber and the certifying body whose standards underpin the Chamber's local LGBTBE Certification program.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@clgbtcc
• Facebookfacebook.com/CarolinasLGBTChamber
• Instagraminstagram.com/carolinaslgbtchamber
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/carolinas-lgbt-chamber-of-commerce

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 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 Carolinas LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce