named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Bethlehem Chamber Foundation
501(c)(3) foundation established in 2023 to support community and business development initiatives in Bethlehem
Government Affairs Initiative
Advocacy program that communicates legislative priorities, facilitates communication with elected officials, and promotes policies favorable to local businesses
Leads Groups
Monthly networking groups for business professionals, including closed non-competitive groups with one member per business category to generate referrals
Workforce Development Program
Initiative connecting local businesses with school districts to educate students on career opportunities and develop soft skills for employment
activities · 11 groups
What they do
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Member Business Referral & Discount Programs 2 activities
- Facilitates business growth through structured referral networkingOperates a closed networking group (Leads Group I) with one representative per professional category, meeting monthly to exchange referrals and support business development.
- Offers complimentary membership to regional partnersProvides complimentary Chamber membership to regional partners, including access to networking events and promotional support, to strengthen regional collaboration.
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Professional Association Capacity Building 2 activities
- Provides resources and expert advice to member organizationsOffers access to growth-oriented programs, expert guidance, and professional resources to support business development and strengthen the Bethlehem community.
- Supports educational and professional development for membersHosts a Brown Bag Lunch & Learn Series and other educational workshops on business strategies, laws, and regulations to support member capacity building.
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Business Community Advocacy 1 activity
- Advocates for member business interests in policy and community forumsRepresents member businesses through legislative advocacy, committee participation opportunities, and civic engagement initiatives to influence local economic policy and support business growth.
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Strategic Planning and Organizational Development 1 activity
- Conducts strategic planning for community and business developmentConducted a strategic planning retreat in 2021, including a membership survey, to guide community and business development initiatives.
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Regional Economic Development Initiatives 1 activity
- Distributes economic and community development informationProvides industrial, commercial, and civic statistics and information to support local economic planning and community development in Bethlehem and surrounding areas.
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Business Member Promotion Services 1 activity
- Enhances member visibility through marketing and promotional platformsFeatures member businesses on the Chamber’s website, social media, e-newsletters, and community publications; provides access to Marketspace for posting events, jobs, and deals; and produces video interviews to highlight member services.
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Community Foundation & United Way Support 1 activity
- Operates a foundation to support community and business developmentEstablished a 501(c)(3) Foundation in 2023 to support initiatives that advance community and business development in the Bethlehem area.
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Professional Networking Events 1 activity
- Organizes networking and community events for member businessesHosts a range of events including monthly Coffe-rsations, TEa Time gatherings, Women's Networking, golf outings, Fall Fest, and the Celebration of Excellence to foster professional relationships and community engagement among member businesses.
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Visitor & Business Guide Distribution 1 activity
- Produces and distributes a business and community directoryPrepares and distributes an annual business and community directory for 2025–2026, offering advertising opportunities for chamber members to support local economic development.
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Union and Association Benefit Funds 1 activity
- Provides health and dental insurance benefits to member businessesOffers small group and individual health and dental insurance plans through carriers including CDPHP, MVP, Guardian, and UHC, including Medicare Advantage options and off-exchange coverage for sole proprietors.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Organizes annual group travel opportunities for membersCoordinates annual travel trips for members in partnership with Plaza Travel Center, with past destinations including Ireland, Italy, and the American Southwest.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$318K
Contributions & grants$00%
Program service revenue$298K94%
Investment income$40%
Other revenue$20K
expenses
Total expenses$275K
Program expenses100%
Admin / overhead0%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$156K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$459K
Cash$185K
Investments$0
Liabilities$360K
Net assets$99K
Liquid reserves8.1 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +19.3%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 2
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| TERRI EGAN | PAST PRESIDE | 40 | $39K |
| TERESA A OLSEN-SPINA | CHAMBER PRES | 40 | $32K |
board members · 22
- BRIAN BAILEY — BOARD MEMBER
- CARL BECKER — BOARD MEMBER
- DOUG MCCLAINE — BOARD MEMBER
- GREG DEMARCO — SECRETARY
- GREG TURNER — HONORARY
- GUINEVERE GORMAN — BOARD MEMBER
- JAYNE MALONEY — BOARD MEMBER
- JEFF YOUNG — CHAIRMAN
- JESSICA RICHER — BOARD MEMBER
- JODY MONROE — BOARD MEMBER
- JOHN HOGAN — BOARD MEMBER
- JOHN MCINTYRE — VICE CHAIR
- JON PHILLIPS — BOARD MEMBER
- JONATHAN PHILLIPS — BOARD MEMBER
- JOSEPH GIACONE — BOARD MEMBER
- JUDI KEHOE — TREASURER
- JULIE SASSO — BOARD MEMBER
- PAUL STEWART — BOARD MEMBER
- ROBBY SAWYER — BOARD MEMBER
- SHOHAM PIORENTINO — PAST CHAIR/N
- TIMOTHY BLAKE — BOARD MEMBER
- VINCE CRISAFULLI — PAST CHAIR
relationships · 20
Who they work with
- Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce Inc Network — Leads Group I members must be current members of the Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce in good standing, indicating formal affiliation.
- Board of Directors Partner — Partnership with the Board of Directors in supporting relocation and community engagement efforts.
- Burt Anthony Associates Partner — Benefits administration and broker of record for the Chamber's health and dental insurance program.
- Burt Anthony Associates Partner — Welcome Center Sponsors and Chamber Health Insurance Broker
- CDPHP Partner — Insurance carrier offering small group and Medicare Advantage plans through the Chamber.
- Empire APEX Accelerator Partner — Lists Empire APEX Accelerator as a resource for MWBE certification support.
- Empire State Development Government — Collaborates with Empire State Development on the Women Entrepreneurs Rising initiative for MWBE certification support.
- Entrepreneurial Assistance Program Partner — Lists Entrepreneurial Assistance Program as a free business advisory service center for MWBE applicants.
- Guardian Partner — Insurance carrier offering dental plans through the Chamber.
- Leslie Horn Marketing, LLC Partner — Partner organization whose CEO provides a testimonial endorsing the Chamber's networking events.
- MVP Partner — Insurance carrier offering small group, individual, and dental plans through the Chamber.
- New York Small Business Development Center Partner — Lists New York Small Business Development Center as a free business advisory service center for MWBE applicants.
- Plaza Travel Center Partner — Collaborates with the Chamber to organize annual group travel trips for members.
- Plug Power Partner — Local business contributing to economic growth in Bethlehem with 1,600 new jobs.
- Port of Albany Partner — Regional economic partner bringing 700 new jobs to the Bethlehem area.
- Regional Experience Partners Partner — Collaborates with towns, resorts, and organizations to promote regional tourism through gift basket raffles and shared marketing.
- Samantha Bailey Photography Partner — Photography partner for the Celebration of Excellence event in 2025.
- UHC Partner — Insurance carrier participating in the Chamber's health insurance program.
- local school districts Partner — Collaborates with school districts to align workforce development and career education with local business needs.
- local, county, state, federal, and community organizational leaders Partner — Partners with local, county, state, federal, and community organizational leaders to advance economic development.
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Data-Informed Advocacy and Developmentmethodology: data_informed_community_developmentBy collecting and sharing civic and economic data, the Chamber informs stakeholder decisions and advances local interests, because evidence-based narratives strengthen advocacy efforts and guide effective community investment strategies.
- Member-Driven Collaborative Governancemethodology: member-driven_collaborationBy engaging members in committees and shared decision-making, the Chamber leverages local business leadership to drive community development and align advocacy with on-the-ground needs, because collective ownership increases buy-in, trust, and effectiveness of civic initiatives.
- Non-Competitive Networked Growth Modelmethodology: non-competitive_networkingBy limiting membership to one business per professional category and requiring qualified referrals, the Chamber fosters trust and accountability within a collaborative network, because removing direct competition enables open referral relationships that drive mutual business growth.
- Regional Collaboration for Economic Vitalitymethodology: regional_collaborationBy building inter-community partnerships and promoting regional destinations through events and joint initiatives, the Chamber strengthens economic development, because shared visibility and collaboration across jurisdictions amplify market reach and resilience beyond individual municipalities.