Nonprofit organizations exist to serve a public purpose, and receive some special treatment under the law. This usually allows them to offer services free of charge or at low cost. San Francisco has a number of nonprofits that were created to assist the business community.

Similar to a chamber of commerce, a merchants association is a business network. Members include businesses or property owners based in a particular location, from a single street to an entire neighborhood.

A chamber of commerce is a business network that connects its members with ideas, resources, and each other. Additionally, while a chamber of commerce does not create laws and regulations, it does lobby on behalf of businesses to get laws passed that are favorable to its members.