Trade Association or Membership Organization

Sometimes membership organizations are not sure whether the more specific rules for trade associations apply to them. While all trade associations are membership organizations under FEC rules, not all membership organizations are trade associations. For example, chambers of commerce fit into the broader definition of membership organization, but do not fit into the definition of a trade association. An organization is a trade association under FEC regulations if all the members of the organization are in the same industry and if the organization promotes and tries to improve the business conditions of its membership.