The Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1887 as the Grand Rapids Board of Trade. The name was changed to Grand Rapids Association of Commerce in 1911, and to Chamber of Commerce in 1943. The Chamber is composed of local businessmen from throughout the community and its funding base is local. The Chamber is loosely affiliated with the national and state organizations.

Since its founding, the organization has attempted both to improve Grand Rapids and to promote the advantages of the city to non-residents. Though the Chamber's primary interest has been improving business conditions, the Chamber has taken a very broad view about what makes a community desirable to business. Thus the records, photographs and publications show the Chamber involved in a whole series of activities, including education, public health, governmental organization and efficiency, transportation, housing, public welfare - literally everything from railroad freight rates to the statues placed in parks. The Chamber has included the most able of the community's business leaders from its inception, and has been a major force in the city's economic and social fabric. The Chamber continues in the tradition established by its early leaders.