Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation

The Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation convenes and catalyzes business, education, and community to enhance college and career readiness, develop a stronger workforce, and build healthier communities throughout Arizona. The Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit organization, leads the charitable and education initiatives of the Greater Phoenix Chamber under the four pillars of education, workforce development, wellness, and research.

This Arizona Gives Day, we ask you to remember the Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation!

LIVES CHANGED THROUGH THE FOUNDATION: 

Santos always dreamed of serving as a combat medic in the U.S. Army. Through his high school CTE program, he sought hands-on experience, but he needed a real-world opportunity. ElevateEdAZ recognized his dedication and helped him secure a paid internship at the Mayo Clinic—yet transportation was a challenge. Thanks to ElevateEdAZ’s support, Santos was able to commute and gain invaluable experience in the Ambulatory Immediate Care Unit. With this foundation, he graduated and achieved his dream of joining the U.S. Army. His journey proves that support and opportunity can be life-changing.

Carmen, a dedicated teacher, was ready for a career change but struggled to break into finance due to a lack of direct experience. That changed when she connected with Connect to Work AZ. Seeing her potential, the team provided personalized coaching and helped her secure an interview with Northern Trust. After initial concerns from the employer, Connect to Work AZ guided Carmen through additional preparation, boosting her confidence for the final interview. She impressed Northern Trust and received a job offer, successfully transitioning into a fulfilling finance career. Now nearing her one-year anniversary, Carmen has gained invaluable experience and is thriving in her new role.

THE FOUR KEY PILLARS OF WORK TO SUPPORT ECONOMIC PROSPERITY IN THE GREATER PHOENIX REGION: 

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT: The Foundation serves as an intermediary between business and education, convening employer-led workforce collaboratives to address the growing skills gap facing our community. Each collaborative focuses on engaging key stakeholders to develop and champion holistic and scalable workforce solutions for the Greater Phoenix region and the state of Arizona. 

"The Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation is building bridges between industry experts, community leaders, education partners, and key stakeholders who are driving innovative solutions to the most pressing community issues, including wellness, workforce, and education. In the past year, we've made substantial progress in building a healthier Arizona with stronger education and talent pipelines," - Todd Sanders, President & CEO of the Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation

EDUCATION: The Foundation's education initiative, ElevateEdAZ partners with education, business and community to prepare Arizona students for college and career in leading industries. Our primary objectives include increasing the number of students enrolled in and completing high-wage, high-demand career pathways, increasing student attainment of industry-recognized credentials and early post-secondary credit, providing more students with work-based learning experiences, and empowering educators to reimagine classroom learning through educator externships.

WELLNESS: The Foundation's wellness initiative, Wellness AtoZ aims to make Arizona and the Greater Phoenix region known as destinations for healthy talent and healthy communities. Wellness AtoZ offers English and Spanish nutritional, mental, and physical wellness resources to employers and employees free of cost on its website.

RESEARCH: The Foundation publishes data-driven research on public policy, economic impacts, and community issues to inform policymakers, business leaders, and the general public. For example, the Foundation recently released its Arizona Statewide Healthcare Workforce Plan. This report offers valuable insights to help leaders across the state identify priorities and implement strategies to mitigate the healthcare workforce shortage. As workforce demands evolve across our state and nation, business leaders rely on the Foundation’s labor market insights to stay informed and ahead of emerging trends.

"A cornerstone of the mission of the Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation is to promote economic prosperity and quality of life for the Greater Phoenix region. The business community and the entire state of Arizona benefit from the work the Foundation is doing to focus on the opportunities that foster and promote economic prosperity and quality of life." - Stacy Derstine, GPCF Board of Directors, GPC Incoming Board Chair, APS Vice President, Customer Service & Chief Customer Officer