irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $111KMEMBER BENEFITS PROVIDES INFORMATION AND SERVICES TO THE GENERAL MEMEBERSHIP TO ASSIST IN THE PROMOTION AND DEVELOPMENT OF THEIR INDIVIDUAL BUSINESSES.
named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Coffee & Connections
Monthly educational event series for members covering topics such as marketing, financial literacy, and human resources to support business growth.
Community Cash
Local gift certificate program that supports member businesses by encouraging consumers to spend locally; certificates are redeemable at participating Chamber members.
Jefferson Leadership Institute
Twelve-month leadership development program for community and business leaders featuring monthly sessions on local issues including government, healthcare, education, and economic development.
Young Professionals Network
Program for professionals under 40 that fosters relationship-building, leadership development, and community engagement; available to employees of Thrive-level members.
activities · 7 groups
What they do
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Professional Networking Events 2 activities
- Hosts networking and educational events for business leadersOrganizes monthly evening networking events, Chamber Chats, Coffee & Connections gatherings, Business After Hours events, and a monthly event series covering topics such as marketing, sales, human resources, financial literacy, and market access, including training on QuickBooks Online and correcting marketing myths.
- Supports young professionals through dedicated networkOperates the Young Professionals Network for individuals under 40, offering opportunities to build relationships, learn about the local business community, and increase civic engagement, with up to five employees from Thrive-level member businesses granted access.
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Member Business Referral & Discount Programs 1 activity
- Administers a gift certificate program to promote local spendingOperates a redeemable gift certificate program accepted at participating Chamber member businesses, designed to connect consumers with local businesses and encourage economic activity within the Greater Watertown–North Country region.
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Strategic Planning and Organizational Development 1 activity
- Conducts strategic planning with member inputHosts a membership-exclusive kickoff event to gather input from business and community leaders for the development of the organization’s 2026–2028 Strategic Plan.
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MWBE Certification and Contract Access Support 1 activity
- Facilitates government funding access for local businesses through PTACOperates a Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) program that helps local businesses secure government grants, contracts, and funding opportunities.
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Leadership Development Programs 1 activity
- Operates a leadership development program for community and business leadersRuns a 12-month project-based leadership program with monthly in-person sessions focused on Jefferson County community issues, requiring participants to complete and present a SOAR analysis on a local organization or initiative.
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Professional Membership and Association Benefits 1 activity
- Provides membership services and business support to local businessesOffers a membership application process, business consultations, customized tools and resources, and exclusive benefits such as discounted event rates, digital badges, inclusion in an online business directory, eNewsletter enrollment, bulk mailing permit access, and savings programs to support member business growth in the Greater Watertown–North Country region.
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Industry and Community Recognition Awards 1 activity
- Recognizes community leadership through annual citizenship awardOrganizes and hosts the annual Israel A. Shapiro Citizenship Award ceremony, recognizing individuals who demonstrate outstanding community leadership and strengthen Jefferson County through service, with the 72nd event scheduled for March 26, 2026 in Watertown, NY.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$329K
Contributions & grants$68K21%
Program service revenue$259K79%
Investment income$1450%
Other revenue$1K
expenses
Total expenses$385K
Program expenses70%
Admin / overhead30%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$195K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$310K
Cash$20K
Investments$0
Liabilities$580K
Net assets$-270K
Liquid reserves0.6 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +23.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KAYLA JAMIESON | PRESIDENT & CEO | 40 | $80K |
board members · 18
- ALLISON CARLOS — IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR
- AMY HORTON — DIRECTOR
- DREW BOULTER — DIRECTOR
- JENNIFER VOSS — CHAIR OF THE BOARD
- LAURIE PODVIN — DIRECTOR
- MARK THOMPSON — DIRECTOR
- MARSHALL WEIR — TREASURER
- MAX DELSIGNORE — VICE CHAIR
- MCKENZEE FISK-KAMIDE — SECRETARY
- MEGAN STADLER — DIRECTOR
- REBECCA SIMSER — DIRECTOR
- SHANE SIMSER — DIRECTOR
- SONJA DRAUGHT — DIRECTOR
- STEPHANIE SUTTON — DIRECTOR
- STEVE BRADLEY — DIRECTOR
- SUZIE RENZI-FALGE — DIRECTOR
- TOM CARMAN — DIRECTOR
- TRISHA HOWELL — DIRECTOR
relationships · 17
Who they work with
- CCE Jefferson County Partner — Board member representation from CCE Jefferson County indicates a partnership with the cooperative extension.
- Focus Consulting Partner — Facilitates the "Blueprint for Success" strategic planning initiative led by Brittany Davis, owner of Focus Consulting.
- Fort Drum Partner — Hosts a dedicated session as part of the Jefferson Leadership Institute curriculum.
- GYMO Architecture, Engineering, Land Surveying and Construction Management Partner — Sponsors the "Blueprint for Success" strategic planning initiative, aligning its support with principles of strategic execution.
- Greater Watertown North Country Chamber of Commerce Network — Administers the Community Cash program for its member businesses in Jefferson County.
- Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce Network — Organization operates as a chamber of commerce network supporting local businesses.
- Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce Inc Partner — Provides business consultation services to member organizations.
- Greater-Watertown North Country Chamber Network — Organization listing members within the chamber network
- Hilton Garden Inn Watertown Partner — Host venue for the Israel A. Shapiro Citizenship Award ceremony.
- Jefferson County Economic Development Partner — Board Chair represents Jefferson County Economic Development, indicating a leadership-level partnership.
- Nate Matteson Partner — Featured speaker and marketing expert leading a Coffee & Connections session on identifying and correcting marketing myths.
- Northern New York Community Foundation Partner — Immediate Past Chair represents Northern New York Community Foundation, indicating ongoing partnership.
- SUNY Jefferson Partner — Board member representation from SUNY Jefferson indicates an educational partnership.
- Samaritan Medical Center Partner — Board member representation from Samaritan Medical Center indicates institutional partnership.
- Thrive Members Partner — Collaborates with Thrive Member employers to nominate employees for the Young Professionals Network.
- USAG Fort Drum Government — Board member representation from USAG Fort Drum indicates a government affiliation.
- Young Professionals Network Partner — Collaborates to provide networking and professional development opportunities for young professionals.
strategies · 3
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.
- Leadership Development Through Community Engagementmethodology: experiential-leadership-developmentBy combining experiential learning with direct engagement in community networks, the chamber builds leadership capacity and systems-level understanding, because hands-on involvement with local leaders fosters talent development, workforce connectivity, and long-term civic investment.
- Network-Based Business Support Drives Regional Growthmethodology: network-based business supportBy connecting entrepreneurs and existing businesses to community networks, the chamber fosters business growth and strengthens regional economic development, because peer connections and access to local expertise increase collaboration, visibility, and opportunity-sharing.
- Stakeholder-Driven Planning for Regional Impactmethodology: stakeholder_driven_planningBy aligning strategic planning with stakeholder input and member needs, the chamber ensures programming delivers regional impact, because inclusive priority-setting increases relevance, resource efficiency, and organizational responsiveness to community and business challenges.