Denton Chamber of Commerce

Denton Chamber of Commerce Profile and History

Organized in 1909, the Denton Chamber serves as an alliance of local business and professional people united to promote and support quality economic growth and prosperity for the entire community (the Denton Chamber of Commerce succeeded the Denton Board of Trade formed in 1890). The Secretary of the State of Texas officially certified the Denton Chamber as a 501(c)6 non-profit corporation in 1960 . 501(c)6 non-profit corporations are mutual benefit organizations. They include business leagues, chambers of commerce, and boards of trade, among others. None of its earnings benefit private shareholders. 501(c)6 corporations can engage in some political activity as it relates to accomplishing the express purpose of the organizationhowever, the Denton Chamber does not engage in these activities. Accreditation by the United States Chamber of Commerce was originally achieved in 1975. Accreditation is an extensive internal and external review and evaluation process that must be reported every five years in order to retain the certification. The Denton Chamber has been an Accredited Chamber ever since. There are over 855 chambers that have participated in the accreditation program since 1964. Currently, 217 chambers carry this distinction. With approximately 7,000 chambers in the United States, Accreditation with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is a prestigious honor that distinguishes the high quality, expertise, and strong leadership displayed by Accredited state and local chambers of commerce. Even though it strives continually to promote the aesthetic, civic, and commercial well-being of the entire community, it is funded by and answers only to those members who invest annually in its program. The top policy-making body of the Chamber is a 20-person board of directors, made up of an elected cross-section of chamber members. The board approves an annual program and budget. It also formulates all policy and position statements on behalf of the organization.