When the Tennessee Multicultural Chamber of Commerce lost half of its funding from the city of Chattanooga, it had to cut staff and limit mailings, but officials say it has no intention of closing.
Instead, the organization is launching a three-year fundraising campaign to fuel its primary mission of assisting minority-owned, women-owned and disadvantaged businesses.
“We’ve just got to help them,” said founding board member John Taylor. “During this tough economic time, we need our small businesses to grow to make a positive difference in the economy and the community.”
The Chamber is asking its individual members to give a minimum of $25 a month for three years. The goal is to raise $75,000 a year for the next three years.
Since 1999, when the Chamber began, the city has given it $150,000 a year.