2008 career investment scholarship applications
available now
“The business community cannot sit on the sidelines
while another generation loses its chance at the
American dream. Young people cannot succeed without
a first-rate education and we cannot succeed as a
nation without them."
-- Thomas J.
Donohue, President & CEO, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
The Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce Charitable
Foundation (the Foundation) is uniquely positioned as
the non-profit arm of the largest regional chamber in
Minnesota to bring all business leaders to build the
necessary resources that will assure a competent,
educated workforce of the future to compete locally,
nationally and globally in tomorrow’s economy.
Why do we need to
be concerned?
·
Socioeconomic trends, an
aging workforce and global competition have
significantly increased the need for a college-educated
population. According to the Committee for Economic
Development in their document, “Cracks in the Education
Pipeline: A Business Leaders Guide to Higher Education
Reform,” demographic changes on the horizon will make it
increasingly difficult to maintain a skilled workforce
without engaging more students in higher education.
Meanwhile, strong educational and community pathways for
every student to achieve higher education success are
lacking. – Minnesota College Access Network
·
The college participation gap in Minnesota is
large and growing. According to the Citizens League's
report, "Trouble on the Horizon", over 50% of students
of color fail to graduate from high school in four
years. Out of 100 ninth grade high school students of
color right now, only 3% of American Indian students, 5%
of Hispanic students, and 3% of Black students will get
a bachelor's degree in Minnesota within 10 years.
·
According to
the Minnesota Department of Labor, the number of new
jobs requiring at least a bachelor’s degree will
increase by an average of 10,500 per year between 2000
and 2010. This accounts for 28 percent of all new jobs
over the time period. This says nothing about the demand
for individuals with a two-year or technical degree, the
minimum educational level that will be required for the
majority of new jobs in the coming decade.
·
Thirty-four
percent of our region’s knowledge economy jobs are
located within either Minneapolis or St. Paul, yet only
22 percent of the knowledge economy workers live in the
two cities (making quality jobs out of reach for the
low-skill, low income workers who cluster in the cities)
– Mind the Gap, Reducing Disparities to Improve Regional
Competitiveness in the Twin Cities, Brooking Institution
Metropolitan Policy Program, 2005.
What can our
chamber members do?
·
Be a
Business Sponsor at the “Named Donor” level for a
Career Investment Scholarship to a deserving,
well qualified local high school graduating senior. Cost
for one scholarship is $1,250. The student can be one of
your future employees through this connection.
·
Consider a
single personal donation of any amount to the Foundation
·
Distribute
information about the scholarship application available
for 2008 to your employees – their children may be
eligible!
The following
excerpt is from a letter sent to the Foundation in
December 2007 and sums up the influence we have on
lives:
“I feel that I am
part of something I care about and something that
influences and encourages me to perform and be the best
I can be. Though, without you, I would have never been
in this position that has not only changed my life, but
the life of those most close to me. Thank you for
believing in me and granting me your assistance to go to
Augsburg College.”
- Juventino Rodriquez, 2007 American Bank Career
Investment Scholarship winner.
Click here to apply for the 2008 Career Investment
Dollars for Scholars Scholarship. Download and
print off two copies and submit all supporting documents
NO LATER than March 20, 2008.
To learn more about the Career Investment Scholarships, please contact Bev Fritz at bev@saintpaulchamber.com
or call 651.265.2768.
