FRANKFORT, Ky. — The Kentucky Chamber Foundation has released its first-ever Impact Report, highlighting the organization’s comprehensive efforts to advance economic opportunity and workforce development for individuals across the Commonwealth.
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, 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 coming years,” 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 training 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 principals in-depth training and professional development 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 was donated to Kentucky Habitat for Humanity, and $700,000 was donated to Volunteers of America to support recovery efforts.
The Foundation again partnered with KSR after the Eastern Kentucky floods in July 2022 to raise more than $200,000 in relief funds. They continue working with local communities, chambers, and state and local officials to aid those impacted.
You can read the full 2022 Kentucky Chamber Foundation Impact Report here.
