MEETING THE MOMENT

The Foundation provides a solution to cultivate our region’s talent and small businesses. The Foundation builds on the Chamber’s connections and convening power to lead the way forward by championing every person and community.

Our Focus

Our Commitment

The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Foundation will transform the lives of current and future residents by leveraging the Commonwealth’s untapped talent, championing small businesses, and creating tomorrow’s leaders in support of a 21st century economy.

The Commonwealth’s talent across all industries has always been our competitive advantage. Now, we must nurture and invest in every person and community to ensure a successful future.

The impact of the Foundation will be transformative for people and employers, resulting in economic security for residents and making our region’s workforce the most representative and most skilled in the U.S.

Connect with us.

Jim Rooney Headshot
James E. Rooney

President

Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Foundation

In Massachusetts, retaining families, workers, entrepreneurs, and employers is a challenge.

This moment calls for action.

Hiring is harder than ever
Hiring is harder than ever

Downtown Boston is struggling
Downtown Boston is struggling

Population shift threatens the region amidst a high cost of living
Population shift threatens the region amidst a high cost of living

Economic inequities are persistent
Economic inequities are persistent

Our Programming

  • Massachusetts Apprentice Network

    The Massachusetts Apprentice Network convenes employers, training providers, and talent sources interested in developing and implementing apprenticeship programs in occupations across industries and statewide in fields such as tech, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, financial services, and more. The Massachusetts Apprentice Network will collectively hire 1,000 apprentices by 2027.

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  • Partnership with Boston Public Schools

    A well-designed partnership between the Boston business community and the school system – one that provides for experiential learning opportunities, curriculum coordination, and financial and human resources – is a critical element for educating Boston’s children. The Foundation seeks to establish a formal business-school district partnership for the first time.

  • Pacesetters

    Pacesetters are large and mid-sized companies and anchor institutions committed to using their purchasing power to close the racial wealth gap by intentionally increasing spend with minority business enterprises (MBEs).

    Buyers strive to achieve 10% spend with MBEs in the Commonwealth in five years and increase the amount of dollars spent with MBEs year over year.

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  • Small Business Strong

    Small Business Strong, a leading technical assistance initiative, revitalizes and fortifies small businesses, especially women and minority owned enterprises, through expedited, pro-bono resources. Small Business Strong has served more than 3,150 businesses, preserved nearly 10,000 jobs, and bolstered the health of the region’s small businesses to create an inclusive, dynamic economy. The program meets small business needs at crucial moments.

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  • City Awake

    City Awake centers 20-30-year-olds, including students, seeking to welcome and retain them in Greater Boston with an intentional strategy of cross-sector collaboration to increase their social capital. Its programming is designed to promote civic engagement; connect them to personal and professional networks across industries and communities; and strengthen the region’s inclusivity efforts while highlighting its cultural vibrancy.

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Latest from the Foundation

Press Release
City Awake Young Residents Survey

Chamber Foundation’s Young Residents Survey Highlights Importance of Housing & Jobs to Retention of 20 – 30 Year-Olds

The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Foundation (the “Chamber Foundation”) and City Awake, a program of the Chamber Foundation, commissioned a survey from HIT Strategies to understand the personal and professional challenges and opportunities of 20 to 30-year-old residents living and working in Greater Boston.
City Awake
City Awake: Awakening the Next Generation of Leaders

City Awake: Awakening the Next Generation of Leaders Oct 2024

Oct 01, 202411:30am1:00pmGreater Boston Chamber of Commerce

This is your chance to create new, lasting connections with some of our City Awake Advisory Board and The Chamber staff.
Fierce Urgency of Now Festival
Fierce Urgency of Now Festival

2024 Fierce Urgency of Now Festival

Sep 14, 2024 – Sep 17, 2024Suffolk University – Sargent Hall

The Fierce Urgency of Now Festival brings Boston’s diverse young professionals together with business leaders, organizations, and their peers to build connection, advance careers and ignite positive change.
Chamber Foundation: Fierce Urgency of Now Event
Chamber Foundation: Fierce Urgency of Now Event

Transform the lives of current and future residents of the Commonwealth:

  • Make a three-year commitment to a specific program or set of programs.
  • Support the operation of the overall portfolio and mission
  • Connect us to potential partners
  • Share your feedback about our effort

Make a Donation

Board of Directors

James Rooney Headshot
James E Rooney

President, Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Foundation

Chair

Yvonne Garcia headshot
Yvonne Garcia

Chief of Staff to Chairman & CEO, Ron O’Hanley, Global Head of Internal Communications and CEO Experience Program, State Street Corporation

Director

Sandy Edgerley Headshot
Sandy Edgerley

Founder and President, Hexagon Properties

Director

Vikki Spruill Headshot
Vikki Spruill

President and CEO, New England Aquarium

Director

Kevin Bynoe Headshot
Kevin Bynoe

Chief Executive Officer, UHM Properties

Director

Melissa Sampson Mcmorrow
Melissa Sampson McMorrow

Chair, Tax Department; Executive Committee, Nutter

Clerk

Abby Paul Headshot
Abigail Paul

Trust Solutions Partner, PwC

Treasurer

Thank you to our many programmatic funders who make this work possible!

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