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Business & Social Enterprise Membership

This membership category is for US businesses or social enterprises committed to sustainable or fair trade practices that alleviate income inequality with an ongoing permanent presence in the Chicagoland area (stretching from southern WI to northern IN).

Within this category, there are two tiers of membership:

Globally Made Business • Locally Made Business

  • A business or social enterprise that works directly with makers in the US or abroad, or
  • A retail business that resells a majority of products from Fair Trade vendors

ANNUAL DUES: Starting at $120

Apply for Membership

CFT Ally

  • A business or social enterprise that provides a service to ethically-minded entrepreneurs, or
  • A retail business that resells some products from Fair Trade vendors

Note: Currently, Allied Members can not sell products at CFT pop-up events but can cross-promote their business in other ways

ANNUAL DUES: $100

Apply for Membership

Testimonials

Membership in CFT will be the best investment for your business – networks are critical [for beginning] businesses.

CFT is a local connector; it helps make personal connections that bring business.

Being a member of CFT helps generate a customer base.

When I first joined, I [would] ask other members the best way to do things all the time, and they were always so helpful.

Benefits

Expand your Network

Access to mentors

Happy hour socials

Networking opportunities

Peer collaboration

Professional development

Share best practices

Marketing & Branding

Increase consumer engagement with your brand

CFT’s logo or Ally badge on member product tags

Member website and events posted on CFT’s website

Shared media coverage / PR

Social media promotion to 12,500+ followers

Vetted membership for company credibility

Sales Opportunities

CFT Holiday Pop-Up Shop

Vending opportunities during CFT programming (e.g. WFTD)

Andersonville Galleria

Member events (e.g. congregational holiday fairs)

Annual Dues

Membership dues for Chicago Fair Trade are based on your business’ annual revenue. Your dues are renewed annually, and must be paid within 30 days of invoice.

Annual RevenueAnnual Dues
Less than $100,000$120
$100,000 to $299,999$200
$300,000 to $499,999$300
$500,000 to $999,999$500
$1M – $10M$750
Greater than $10M$1000

Application Deadlines 

Please note: Applications are reviewed quarterly. Decisions are made within 30 business days of each deadline.

  • March 15th – Deadline for participating in World Fair Trade Day events
  • June 15th
  • September 1st – Deadline for in participating in Holiday Pop-up Shop
  • December 15th

If you have any questions, please contact our membership committee at membership@chicagofairtrade.org.


Current Members

You can find information and payment details regarding your membership under My Account. Please note, you will need to be logged in to see this page. You should also receive an email with instructions.

To create or update your listing on the business member page, please contact our membership committee at membership@chicagofairtrade.org.

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