Charleston Chamber Foundation

What it reported doing in 2024

Community advancement: leadership | talent | de&ipeople are core to our region's prosperity. The chamber's community advancement team cultivates leaders to step into our community's greatest challenges and works alongside our region's employers and educators to build and develop our workforce. Our efforts are all centered around ensuring economic mobility for all.our region is filled with bright leaders who want to create change and make our region the best it can be. Through our diversity, equity and inclusion work, leadership development, informative programs and talent initiatives, we are fueling leaders with the information, access and resources they need to advance our region. We use a regional and inclusive approach, because we are better and stronger together. Leadership developmentfor our community and businesses to prosper, we need empowered leaders to drive solutions and create change. We cultivate and equip leaders with the skills and knowledge to make meaningful impacts on our community. The chamber offers leadership development opportunities for any stage of your career. Whether you are a young professional or seasoned executive, our programs will provide you with the information and resources to take your career to the next level.through community awareness, education and hands-on experience, our leadership programs aim to provide the region with an ongoing source of leaders that are prepared and committed to serve as catalysts of positive change in our region.charleston young professionalswhere emerging leaders connectcharleston young professionals (cyp) was created as an arm of the chamber to attract, retain and develop young professionals in the charleston region. Cyp is a 1000+ member-strong organization that is widely recognized as an action-oriented powerhouse of the region's up and coming young leaders.talentgrowing our region's talent pipelinea region thrives when its people have the workforce skills that match the needs of its employers. The chamber's talent team serves as a regional convener, creating business and education partnerships through collaborative and equitable initiatives. Employer-led needs assessments guide our efforts to cultivate relationships, educate on best practices and develop our current and future employees. Our country is currently facing a talent crisis and employers need to know how they are going to both recruit and retain their workforce. The chamber serves as a thought leader in bringing our members the latest trends, resources and data to inform your talent decisions.diversity, equity & inclusioncreating equitable opportunities for allthe chamber is committed to creating a region where everyone has the opportunity to live, learn and earn. Diverse and inclusive workforces thrive, fostering creativity, innovation and loyalty. Addressing disparities and building equitable opportunities will lift up our entire region. We are challenged to have courageous conversations, to listen and learn, welcome differences while exploring similarities and create a sense of belonging for all, not just some. While we continue to weave diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives within our organization, we are also proud to serve as a catalyst and convener for regional businesses, providing the tools, resources and information you need to drive your own de&i initiatives.government relations: advocating for a thriving communitythriving communities don't just happen. Rather, they are the result of smart planning, collaboration and dedication to driving solutions. The chamber's government relations team works tirelessly to inform the community and our members about current issues, give access to elected leaders in our community and advocate for our region's business community - all so the collective voice of regional businesses are heard. Our team advocates at the local, state and federal levels and takes a proactive and collaborative approach to tackling our region's greatest challenges. Housing

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 94.6%; rating input score 95
• Program expense ratio: 97.9%; rating input score 98
• Fundraising efficiency: $122.43 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 88; 88th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 3 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 50
  • Compensation committee: Pass
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Missing
  • Written employment contract: Pass
  • Compensation survey or study: Missing
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: 100%; rating input score 100; 72nd percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 75%; rating input score 75; 13th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 8 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 100
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Other executive compensation review process: Pass
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 3.4%; rating input score 46; 46th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.28; rating input score 9; 9th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.69; rating input score 13; 13th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 0.8%; rating input score 81; 81st percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 22.1% per year; rating input score 100; 87th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 27.1% per year; rating input score 100; 93rd percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 19.4% per year; rating input score 100; 83rd percentile among comparable filings