FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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Is the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce a state agency?
No, we are not a government entity. The Delaware State Chamber is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit. We also have a 501(c)(3), the Delaware State Chamber Foundation, and a 501(c)(4), the Delaware Employers & Employees Education Fund. If I am a member of a local chamber of commerce, does that make me a member of the Delaware State Chamber? No it does not. There are 16 different chambers of commerce in Delaware, and each one serves the needs of specific geographies, communities, and types of businesses. We are all separate organizations with our own, unique missions and constituents. What is the difference between the Delaware State Chamber and other chambers in the state? As our name suggests, we represent businesses across the entire state (in addition to businesses domiciled outside Delaware) with a focus on statewide policy, legislation, economic competitiveness, and high-level networking. Local chambers are more focused on community-level economic development, networking, and business promotion.
What are the differences between the Delaware State Chamber and other state-level industry/trade-specific associations? Your company may be involved with an association specific to your industry. While we do similar work and often coordinate with each other, the Delaware State Chamber works on big issues that impact businesses in every industry. Our diverse membership allows us to act as the unified voice for business to lead the conversations that address Delaware’s biggest challenges with practical, inclusive, and forward-thinking solutions. I'm a small business. Why should I join the state chamber? Small businesses represent 98% of all businesses in Delaware and employ just over half of our workforce. They also make up roughly 85% of our membership. Having small business representation in the unified voice for business is vital to ensure big issues like workforce participation and pipelines, minimum wage, paid family and medical leave, and employment law compliance remain business-friendly. We know that running a business is time consuming, so we use member-driven advocacy to represent your interests in Dover—allowing you to focus on your work and employees. Are my membership dues tax deducitble? Yes, 80% of membership dues are tax deductible as a business expense. Please note, the staff at the Delaware State Chamber are not tax professionals. We recommend consulting with a CPA or tax advisor regarding how to report member dues and any other contributions on your tax return. When am I billed for my annual membership? Membership with the Delaware State Chamber follows the calendar year. New member dues are prorated throughout the year. For example, if your company joins at the $1,000 Stakeholder level in July, you will be billed for half of the year at $500. Renewal invoices are sent in November each year for the following fiscal year (January - December). View our membership levels and their associated benefits here. How can I get involved in policy development at the grassroots level? We have 15 policy committees and boards under our state chamber umbrella. Our indsutry-specific policy committees examine issues affecting employers and employees and work with policymakers to review proposals in the pipeline. Can the State Chamber help me secure funding? While the State Chamber does not directly provide or facilitate business funding, we do connect members with resources and partners that can. Our role is to advocate for a strong statewide business climate and point you toward organizations that specialize in financing and coordinating small business support—such as the Delaware Division of Small Business, local chambers, and community development programs. Can the State Chamber help me start my business? The State Chamber doesn’t directly assist with business formation or startup services. However, we can connect you with the right partners who do—such as the Delaware Division of Corporations, Delaware Division of Small Business, and the Delaware Small Business Development Center. Our focus is on supporting established organizations who are ready to take their business to the next level through advocacy, networking, and statewide policy efforts that help your company thrive once you’re up and running. Visit here on our website to find resources and partners to get started. |
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