FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 13, 2023
2022 Impact Report Highlights Kentucky Chamber Foundation’s Progress to Strengthen Workforce and Improve Educational Attainment and Equity in the Commonwealth
Frankfort, Ky. – The Kentucky Chamber Foundation has released its first-ever Impact Report, which highlights the organization’s comprehensive efforts to advance economic opportunity and workforce development for individuals across the Commonwealth. The full 2022 report is now available for download.
The 2022 Impact Report outlines Foundation programs and training initiatives that have been critical in addressing some of Kentucky’s most pressing issues, including workforce participation, educational attainment, and diversity, equity, and inclusion.
“Since 2020, the world has become vastly different. The economy continues to fluctuate, how we work is evolving, and employers continue to feel the impact of critical workforce shortages. Kentucky’s business community has taken a leading role to respond to these challenges and ensure a strong and vibrant future for our Commonwealth in the years to come,” said Beth Davisson, Senior Vice President of the Kentucky Chamber Foundation.
Strengthening Our Workforce
The Kentucky Chamber Foundation has pioneered several innovative programs to address the state’s low workforce participation rate, which ranks in the bottom ten nationwide. Through the Talent Pipeline Management (TPM®) program, the Foundation established pathways for 2,700 Kentuckians to participate in jobs, training, and work-based learning opportunities in 2022 alone.
To reach Kentucky’s next generation of workers, the Foundation has continued its successful Bus to Business® program, which connects students with employers and educates them on the career pathways available to them in their own communities.
The Foundation’s Kentucky Transformational Employment Program (KTEP) has also equipped businesses with tools, resources, and training to support employees impacted by substance use and hire those who have completed treatment and are ready to reenter the workforce.
Addressing Inequality
Following the release of the “Achieving Equity to Build a Stronger Kentucky” report by the Kentucky Chamber’s Task Force on Racial Inequality in 2021, the Foundation launched the Center for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I). Shortly after the launch, the Center for DE&I began convening a task force that includes nearly 40 of Kentucky’s key DE&I business leaders.
Since 2021, the Center for DE&I has hosted more than 40 trainings and workshops for over 130 unique businesses. It also launched the Kentucky Minority-Owned Business Database, which today includes a comprehensive listing of over 1,000 minority-owned businesses.
Increasing Educational Attainment
To position Kentucky’s students and educators for success, the Kentucky Chamber Foundation, in partnership with the Truist Leadership Institute, offers in-depth training and professional development to principals across Kentucky. Since its inception in 2012, the Leadership Institute for School Principals program has trained over 519 public and private school principals from 104 Kentucky counties.
In 2022, Kentucky was chosen as one of two states to participate in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s inaugural National Civics Bee. During this competition, middle school students from across the Commonwealth discussed solutions to issues facing their community and participated in a live competition.
Rebuilding Our Communities
Following the devastating tornadoes that moved across our state in December 2021, the Kentucky Chamber Foundation took a leading role in convening the business community to provide relief. In partnership with Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR), the Foundation raised $1.7 million to support those affected. $951,000 of this was donated to Kentucky Habitat for Humanity, and $700,000 was donated to Volunteers of America to support recovery efforts.
The Foundation once again partnered with KSR in the wake of the Eastern Kentucky floods in July 2022 to raise more than $200,000 in relief funds. They continue to work with local communities, local chambers, and state and local officials to aid those who were impacted.
Looking Ahead
“Thanks to our many partners and investors across the Commonwealth, the Kentucky Chamber Foundation has made great progress in advancing economic opportunity in our communities. Kentucky is truly leading the way in providing solutions to the most urgent problems impacting our business community today,” said Condrad Daniels, President of HJI Supply Chain Solutions and Chair of the Kentucky Chamber Foundation. “However, we know there is still more work to be done, and we remain committed to coalescing Kentucky’s business leaders to ensure the brightest future for our state.”
You can read the full 2022 Kentucky Chamber Foundation Impact Report here.
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About the Kentucky Chamber Foundation
As the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce’s philanthropic arm, the Kentucky Chamber Foundation supports research, programs, and training initiatives that advance the economic and social well-being of the citizens of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
The Foundation furthers the Chamber’s goal of advancing Kentucky by leading initiatives for research and action, covering broad community and business issues not only with advocacy but with a level of innovation and education that is unmatched in the Commonwealth.