Waco-Chamber-Foundation-HORIZ

THE WACO CHAMBER COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION

BUILDING A BETTER WACO

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Our mission is to create the leaders and workforce of tomorrow by focusing on workforce development, leadership and education.

Purpose

The Waco Chamber of Commerce Community Development Foundation exists for the betterment of the Greater Waco community. It focuses on initiatives that support leadership, education and workforce development to create a strong talent pipeline and the leaders of tomorrow for the continued growth and prosperity of our community.

Areas of Focus

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Supporting the Utilization and Success of the Region's Industrial Training Center, The WorkSITE

  • Engaging local businesses, educational institutions, and the community to promote active participation in the center’s programs and services for skilling and upskilling the region’s workforce.

Learn more about The WorkSITE >

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Convening Community Based Organizations to Build Regional Workforce

  • Bringing together the region’s community based organizations to collaborate on creating technical career and post-secondary education and training pathways.
  • Launching a regional communications plan to bring awareness of technical career opportunities.
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Connecting Businesses and Education

  • Fostering partnerships between businesses and educational institutions to build a career-ready workforce.
  • Working with K-12 schools and higher education institutions to equip students for successful technical careers.
  • Providing student internship, industry tour, job shadowing and teacher externship opportunities to raise awareness of technical career opportunities and pathways.
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Engaging the Area Industry Managers and Building a Talent Pipeline Management System

  • Activating AIM and leveraging their expertise to bridge the gap between business and education.
  • Developing a Talent Pipeline Management system by aligning education with local industry needs.
  • Ensure a skilled and job-ready workforce by informing curriculum and program development that aligns with evolving industry demands.
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Supporting the inWaco Digital Talent Recruitment Initiative

  • Attract individuals with targeted traits and skills to the Greater Waco marketplace.
  • Enhancing Waco’s talent pool by utilizing digital platforms to identify and communicate with prospective talent, especially entrepreneurially minded individuals and the creative class.

Visit inWaco.com >

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Scaling the Leadership, Education, and Development (LEAD) Program

  • Providing mentorship, networking opportunities, and industry tours for high school students to build the future workforce and their understanding of technical career opportunities.
  • Empower students with the tools to make educated and transformative decisions for post-secondary education, training, and career pathways.
  • Since 2010, LEAD has awarded over $600,000 in scholarships with 98% of students pursuing post-secondary education and training.

Learn more about LEAD >

How To Support

Your gift helps us advance our mission to grow and strengthen Greater Waco's workforce and talent pipeline.

News

Texas Mutual Insurance Company awards $55,000 in grant funding to Waco Chamber Community Development Foundation to support workforce development

Texas Mutual Insurance Company, one of the state’s leading providers of workers’ compensation insurance, recently announced the recipients in the second round of its 2024 request for proposal initiative. The company has awarded more than $4.5 million to nearly 70 organizations across the state to support their efforts in workforce development and safety training, including…
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The Waco Chamber Community Development Foundation Awarded Grant from the Howmet Aerospace Foundation

In a significant step towards strengthening the business to education partnership in the Greater Waco region, the Waco Chamber Community Development Foundation recently applied for, and was awarded, a grant from the Howmet Aerospace Foundation. This grant is a testament to the Foundation’s commitment to advancing education and workforce development in the region. The generous…
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Greater Waco Chamber Welcomes New Director of Public Policy & Chamber Foundation

The Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce has named Jacob Hogan as its new Director of Public Policy & Chamber Foundation. Hogan’s degree in political science and previous experience as a Field Representative for former U.S. Representative Bill Flores and Congressional Intern for U.S. Representative John Culberson gave Hogan an edge over other applicants for the…
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2024 Impacts

  • 135 students

    participated in industry tours & job shadowing

  • 8 students

    completed paid summer internships

  • 16 teachers

    completed paid summer externships

  • 214 students

    were guided by 106 LEAD mentors

Give Now
SanchezJustinnew

The Teacher Externship was such a beneficial experience not only as an educator but as an industry professional as well. Being able to work hand in hand with employers to tie in real world experiences to classroom lessons is something unique that students will enjoy and have a deeper appreciation for.

Justin Sanchez, Teacher, University High School, Waco ISD

More information:

Questions?

Jacob Hogan
Vice President of Public Policy & Chamber Foundation
jhogan@wacochamber.com
254-757-5631

The Waco Chamber Community Development Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization; all donations are tax-deductible as defined by section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.