2025 Annual Report
Celebrating our progress. Strengthening our connections. Building what’s next.
Benefits & Savings
A Letter From the Board Chair
As I reflect on 2025, what I am most proud of is not any single accomplishment, but the strength of the Board itself. We have built a remarkably cohesive group of people who respect one another, engage in robust conversations about our impact, and remain committed to the mission of the Yellow Springs Chamber of Commerce: encouraging a vibrant business environment that drives the success of our members while enhancing the quality of life in our community.
Over the past year, we have continued to strengthen the way we govern. Our processes are clearer, our subcommittees are functioning and contributing meaningful work, and our Board conversations increasingly focus not simply on what we are doing, but on whether that work is making a difference. We do not always approach an issue from the same perspective—and I don’t believe we should—but there is a level of mutual respect and shared purpose on this Board that allows us to disagree constructively and move forward together.
That matters because Yellow Springs is changing. We face demographic shifts, an aging population, rising housing costs, changes in the nature of our local economy, and too few well-paying jobs located within the village. At the same time, I believe Yellow Springs has tremendous opportunity. We can sometimes become so focused on what is going wrong, or on relatively small differences in how we see an issue, that we overlook what is going right and what could go right in the years ahead.
“I want the Chamber to be a source of that optimism.”
Our role is to be a strong voice for the businesses that call Yellow Springs home, to create opportunities for our members to connect and access resources, to develop relationships with employers and organizations throughout our region, and to help bring new opportunities into our community. We should work collaboratively with other organizations and community leaders, recognizing that we will not agree on everything but that our areas of common interest are far greater than our differences.
As Chair, I believe in surrounding myself with smart, capable people and creating an environment where they feel empowered, supported, and energized to contribute. I also believe strongly in focus. The Chamber does not need to be everything to everyone. We will accomplish more by identifying where we can have meaningful impact and doing those things exceptionally well.
That same discipline applies to our finances. A strong Chamber must also be a financially sustainable Chamber. Looking ahead, we need to continue growing membership and sponsorship support, strengthening our financial reserves, and creating the capacity to invest in strong professional leadership. We also have an opportunity to strengthen our identity as a leading voice in Yellow Springs while working more closely with regional employers to understand the challenges and opportunities facing our broader economy.
Ultimately, my goal as Chair is a simple one: to leave this organization better than I found it. I am grateful for the dedication and investment of our Board, staff, members, and partners throughout 2025. Their engagement, support, and belief in the Chamber are what make this work possible. Because of that collective commitment, I am confident we are moving in the right direction—and I am optimistic about what comes next.
Ryan Carpe, CFP
Board Chair
2025: Our Year of Impact
From the Executive Director
2025 was a year of meaningful progress for the Yellow Springs business community. We saw businesses grow, new investment take shape, relationships strengthen, and new opportunities emerge. Together, these moments reflect a community committed to a strong and vibrant local economy.
The Chamber’s impact is measured not only by the events and programs we provide, but by what they make possible. In 2025, we connected businesses to resources and one another, welcomed new investments, increased visibility for our members, and strengthened partnerships across the community.
Together, let’s explore the work, milestones, and impact that shaped 2025. I am proud of what we accomplished together and grateful to everyone who continues to invest their time, ideas, and energy in the Yellow Springs business community.
2025 at a Glance
Strengthening Our Business Community
2025 was a year of connection, growth, and meaningful progress for the Yellow Springs business community. The Chamber worked to increase visibility for local businesses, connect members with resources and one another, and create meaningful ways to celebrate and support their success. Through strong partnerships across the community, we strengthened the relationships, engagement, and investment that help Yellow Springs remain a vibrant place to do business.
Building Partnerships: The Chamber connected members with local decision-makers, regional leaders, and key partners, strengthening relationships that support business growth, broaden our reach, and create new possibilities for our members and the broader community.
The amplified exposure was made possible through the financial support and partnership of the Yellow Springs Chamber of Commerce, the Village of Yellow Springs, and the Yellow Springs Community Foundation.
Growing Our Business Community: The Chamber welcomed new businesses, championed local entrepreneurs, and recognized the businesses helping shape the future of our downtown—strengthening our local economy while preserving the unique character that makes Yellow Springs a vibrant place to do business.
Strengthening Our Voice: The Chamber strengthened its role as a voice for the business community, fostering dialogue with local leaders, elevating business perspectives, and advocating for a strong environment where businesses can grow and succeed.
Driving the Economy: The Yellow Springs Street Fair welcomed 25,000+ visitors to experience our vibrant downtown including shops, eateries, breweries and visiting vendors. An updated footprint increased visibility for local businesses while elevating the attendee experience, creating greater opportunity for connection and commerce. As the Chamber’s premier fundraiser, and one of Greene County’s largest festivals, Street Fair’s success directly fuels our work to strengthen local businesses and the economy.
Thank you to our Street Fair major sponsors…
A Vibrant Tradition: The Yellow Springs 4th of July Celebration & Fireworks brought the community together to honor tradition, celebrate our alumni, and showcase historic Gaunt Park. Made possible through the Yellow Springs Chamber and the generosity of our sponsors and community partners, the celebration created a shared experience for generations to reconnect, remember, and celebrate the vibrant community we call home.
Thank you to our 4th of July Celebration major sponsors…
Financial Overview
A comparison of 2023–2025 reflects a financially steady organization, with year-to-year changes in revenue and expenses largely influenced by grant acquisition, program activity, and other operating variables. While these fluctuations are a natural part of the Chamber’s financial picture, the organization has maintained a stable financial position and strengthened its capacity to invest in the future.
With the Executive Director position added to the budget in 2024, responsible cost management and operational efficiencies created additional capacity to expand staffing. These investments have strengthened the Chamber’s ability to serve members, advance its mission, and support the continued growth of the Yellow Springs business community.
Revenue by Category
The 2025 revenue mix shows how the Chamber is supported throughout the year. Membership, sponsorships, events, grants, and other revenue sources help sustain our work and inform decisions that strengthen financial stability and create greater value for our members.
Expenses by Category
The 2025 expense mix shows where the Chamber’s resources are invested to support members and carry out its work. Understanding these costs helps inform budgeting priorities, direct resources toward meaningful impact, and ensure responsible stewardship of the Chamber’s finances.
2025 Chamber Sponsors & Partners
Recognizing the organizations whose investment strengthens the Chamber’s work, supports local businesses, builds meaningful connections, and advances a vibrant local economy, beyond events and throughout the year.
Platinum Sponsor
Bronze Sponsor
Looking ahead
The progress made in 2025 created more than a successful year for the Yellow Springs Chamber—it strengthened the relationships, partnerships, and momentum that continue to shape our work. We move forward with renewed focus and a clear understanding of the role the Chamber plays in supporting our members, championing local businesses, and contributing to a vibrant local economy.
Building on that foundation, we are focused on creating meaningful opportunities for connection and collaboration, increasing the value of Chamber membership, supporting business growth, and bringing our business community together around the opportunities and challenges that matter most.
The strength of Yellow Springs has always been rooted in its people, its businesses, and the willingness to work together. That spirit continues to guide us. We will build upon the trust established, the partnerships strengthened, and the successes achieved in 2025 while remaining responsive to the needs and opportunities ahead.
The future of our business community will be shaped by what we choose to build together. The Chamber is committed to being a strong partner in that work—advancing opportunity, strengthening connection, and helping move Yellow Springs forward.
