Iowa LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce

In 2024, the Iowa LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce created a series of member and public events including business mixers, coffee connections, regional launches and roundtables. The Chamber and its members also co-hosted, sponsored, and participated in Pride events across the state, regional community festivals, sport events, education summits, and partner fundraisers.

The Iowa LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce is proud to represent 137 members from across all of Iowa. Our members include LGBTQ- and Ally-owned businesses, individuals, community partners, and corporate partners. Our business members range from sole proprietors to large businesses (51+ full-time employees) and represent over 40 industries.

In 2024 the Iowa LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce helped 10 small businesses in Iowa become nationally certified as LGBT Business Enterprises and Diverse Suppliers (LGBTBE). Certification as an LGBTBE gives businesses the opportunity to compete for sourcing contracts with corporations and state and local governments and eligibility to participate in mentorship programs, leadership training, and scholarship opportunities presented by NGLCC’s corporate partners.

The Iowa LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce’s business members represent over 40 industries including accounting, business coaching, entertainment, construction management, retail, fitness, floral, marketing, interior design, pharmacy, real estate, restaurants and bars, law, insurance, communications, and home health care just to name a few.

On June 11, 2024, the Iowa LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce signed a Strategic Alliance Memorandum with the SBA Iowa District Office. This strategic alliance with the SBA will help address the challenges of providing training and support services to small businesses in local workforce areas by increasing awareness and helping them better understand what SBA resources are available to them.

🎉 In 2024, the Iowa LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Grubhub , the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), and PFund Foundation helped to bring $65,000 in grants ranging from $2,500 to $10,000 to 14 small businesses in Iowa. The PFund Equity Fund grant program helps to support BIPOC LGBTQ+ small businesses in Minnesota, North and South Dakota, Iowa, and Wisconsin. The GrubHub+NGLCC Community Impact grant program provides funding to LGBTQ- and Ally-owned restaurants and establishments serving food across the United States. Congratulations to all of the grantees and thank you to our partners. 🎉

How awesome is this?! More updates to come on what businesses were awarded the grant!

This holiday season, let’s make a difference by choosing to shop local and support businesses owned by our Iowa LGBTQ Chamber members and allies. Every purchase helps strengthen our community, grow and sustain businesses, and celebrate the vibrant entrepreneurial spirit of Iowa. By investing in your fellow Chamber members, we reinforce a network that champions diversity and fosters inclusivity. Explore some of these unique local shops, services, and experiences that are perfect for holiday gifting and other everyday needs. Together, we can build a thriving, connected community—this season and beyond! Aaron Murphy Interiors Palmer House Stable AllSpice Central Iowa Vapors Plus Spring City Pharmacy, LLC Cutting Edge Caring Hands & More Adel Family Fun Center Corkery & Corkery Cirque Wonderland Two Geezers and a Pooch, LLC Mobile Barbering Co. Grow Cool Plants LLC No Escape Iowa Leash on Life Iowa IV East Village Spa Pride Fitness DSM Mucky Duck Pub Pie Bird Pies Betty's Mercantile Five Monkeys Tumbleweed Diversions Games & Cafe Blazing Saddle No Coast Candle Soothe ALTER Haus of Hue The Rook Room Bing's Her Homes & Rentals

We’re thrilled to announce that two exceptional businesses in our community have been awarded Equity Fund grants from the PFund Foundation! We’d like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Pfund Foundation for their ongoing support of LGBTQ+ individuals and businesses across the Midwest, fostering empowerment, growth, and resilience. Congratulations to: 📸 Jovisuals: Founded by Jo Allen (they/he), this photography business captures and celebrates diversity, especially for LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities. Jovisuals is more than just photos; it’s a community hub with events like Pride & Soul Skate Night and the Black & Queer Art Market. 🌈 Bubble’s Boba Tea - Jen Hart (she/her) started her boba tea shop to create a safe space for cultural exchange and community connection. A fourth-generation Mexican-American and bisexual woman, Jen’s mission is to foster inclusivity and unity through the joys of boba tea, celebrating "equali-tea" and "diversi-tea." #EquityFund #SmallBusiness #LGBTQEntrepreneurs #PFundFoundation

Join us for the Varsity Pride LGBTQ+ movie series, a partnership between The Varsity Cinema Varsity Cinema and the Iowa LGBTQ Chamber. Don’t miss this chance to celebrate and explore LGBTQ+ stories on the big screen! Learn more via the Varsity Cinema website: https://lnkd.in/g4jhMtFs. The next screening in the series, Tangerine, is Tuesday December 17th! Run Time: 87 min. It’s Christmas Eve in Tinseltown and Sin-Dee is back on the block. Upon hearing that her pimp boyfriend hasn’t been faithful during the 28 days she was locked up, the working girl and her best friend, Alexandra, embark on a mission to get to the bottom of the scandalous rumor. Their rip-roaring odyssey leads them through various subcultures of Los Angeles, including an Armenian family dealing with their own repercussions of infidelity.