At WRCT, we are committed to creating opportunities for rural farmers, artisans, youth, and women entrepreneurs. Your donations will help fund projects that provide training, market access, and resources for sustainable growth.

Introduction

The Chamber is not an agency of any government. It’s a collection of businesses that come together to form an association that fights for their interests. Because of this, the government does not offer the Chamber any kind of funding, which would be the case if this organization were its agency. Additionally, it’s worth mentioning that the Chamber exists as a non-profit organization. Consequently, it mostly depends on the following for funding

Private donations

WRCT has no qualms about receiving private donations. It receives such funds from private donors. The donations enable it to undertake numerous programmes that benefit its members. In some cases, the donors wish to make their donations or contributions known to all which is fine. However, there are moments when donors would rather keep their contributions a private matter between them and the Chamber. Nevertheless, the Chamber is not limited in terms of the amount of money it can raise through these donations

Membership dues

Members and business owners pay membership fees to join the WRCT. Primarily, this remains the Chamber’s most likely source of funding although it barely covers the admin costs. Anyone who desires to join the Chamber as a member has to pay the necessary subscription fees. The Chamber has different membership packages. For this reason, the fees are never the same for all members. You pay what you should according to your preferred membership plan. These fees are not sufficient for supporting all the work the Chamber plans to do for the next year or so.

Anyone who pays membership fees is entitled to the following benefits out of the box:

  • Discounts
  • Credibility
  • Marketing opportunities
  • Advocacy
  • Networking
  • Professional development

Fundraising

Many times, the Chamber will organize specific fundraising events. From the onset, anyone who shows up at such events understands that they are purposely for raising funds to keep the Chamber running its operations smoothly. The law allows the chambers to organize as many events for raising as much funds as they deem necessary. Members are also open to this idea. In this regard, the Chamber might organize wide-ranging events though the most common ones are:

  • Trade fairs
  • Exhibitions
  • Dinners
  • Lunch and learn
  • Networking events
  • Community-wide events

Charging entry and participation fees to its events

Additionally, it’s worth noting that the Chamber is perfectly in order to make money by charging entry or participation fees to anyone who desires to show up at its events. As shown above, the Chamber organizes trade fairs several times in a year. Businesses that would like to attend such events to promote their products and services are required to pay fees. The moment they do that, the Chamber makes money. What is more, the fees are not standard since they depend on several factors.

Essentially, the Chamber of Commerce does not exist to make money. Instead, its existence is firmly founded on the need for representing members’ interests. Its members are local business owners. Nevertheless, the Chamber has to find ways of staying afloat. For this to happen, it has to make money. Despite charging membership fees more funds are required to achieve its objectives.  It also makes money through charging entry and admission fees to those interested in attending its events. Moreover, it organizes fundraising events and receives donations from private entities.