What We Do
The Foundation Builds Scholars, Leaders and Communities by bringing business resources and community opportunities together. We advocate the need for scholarships, mentorships, and leadership to help our business community meet workforce challenges.
The Foundation supports its mission of “preparing tomorrow’s employees” with the Career Investment Initiative. This initiative includes two components:
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Dollars for Scholars Career Investment Scholarships™--$40,000 is distributed each year to area high school seniors through $1,000 scholarships
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E-Mentoring program -- matches first-year scholarship and business contacts through an online curriculum.
The Foundation supports the second half of its mission to “grow strong leaders” through its flagship program, Leadership Saint Paul (LSP). Approximately 1,400 participants have completed this program over the last 29 years, learning about the issues and trends facing our community.
Today, many LSP graduates are serving in leadership roles within local community organizations, corporations and non-profit boards.
We raise money to support our leadership programs, college scholarships and e-Mentoring initiative. Our largest annual fundraisers are the Really Big Time Raffle and The Annual Foundation Luncheon.
Foundation goals for 2010
• Provide a minimum of 40, $1,000 scholarships to area high school students who are most underserved (minority economically challenged students) and encourage business support for college scholarships.
• Communicate the Chamber’s support for a prepared workforce by encouraging students to complete at least two years of post secondary education.
• Provide an opportunity for business to e-mentor a scholarship recipient through the first year of college in order to support the goal of completing a post-secondary education.
• Inspire the spirit of leadership that fosters every great city by enrolling 50 participants in Leadership Saint Paul and recognize member accomplishments through our annual H.E.R.B.I.E award.
Click here for more information on the H.E.R.B.I.E. and to download a nomination form.