TwinWest’s Foundation: Pursues new ways to align resources and efforts to develop partnerships with employers, K-12 school districts, post-secondary institutions, and government and community organizations to increase its ability to anticipate, adapt and respond to the region’s talent needs. 

 “Throughout the years we’ve been pleased to support the TwinWest Foundation’s efforts of raising funds for scholarship and educational programs benefitting students in the west metro. By providing assistance to learners of many ages– the TwinWest Foundation is equipping tomorrow’s leaders with the tools they need to succeed.” - Ann Miller, LDI Community Relations

The TwinWest Chamber of Commerce Foundation is led by a volunteer Board of Directors and is one of the most active and oldest chamber-led philanthropic institutions in the state of Minnesota.

TwinWest Talent and Workforce Goals

• Facilitate regional solutions and collective action to meet talent needs
• Generate strategic partnerships and public-private investments that benefit business, communities and people
• Drive key strategies to attract, develop and retain a thriving workforce

Enhance regional efforts to attract, develop and retain youth for careers in high demand industries and occupations

• Development and management of online platform and partnerships to allow businesses, student and educator to connect, communicate and collaborate in career-based learning experiences. 

• Launch a regional youth leadership program to help foster equitable access to youth development opportunities

• Facilitate industry-based educator development opportunities

• Support youth through scholarships

  • Workforce Scholarships are available to graduating high school seniors, college age students, and adult students in support of continuing education and to strengthen their workforce and leadership skills. These scholarships support two-year degrees to colleges that are members of the TwinWest Chamber of Commerce.

    • 2018 Workforce Scholarship Applications will be available in Spring 2018.

  • High School Scholarships are available to graduating seniors from partner schools who will be attending four-year colleges. One $5,000 legacy scholarship is awarded to the student who excels in school work and community involvement.

    • Apply now for the 2018 High School Scholarship!

Regional coordination and talent development

• Facilitate regional solutions and collective action to meet talent needs

• Generate strategic partnerships and public-private investments that benefit business, communities and people

• Support existing workforce through scholarships

• Drive key strategies to attract, develop and retain a thriving workforce

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: TwinWest will educate, lead and influence businesses and communities on creating diverse and inclusive workforce cultures to enhance their competitive advantage

• Work with businesses to build inclusive workplace cultures by helping them gauge their strengths, opportunities and challenges; and build and activate plans to achieve measurable improvement

• Convenings and potentially programs that leverage  the region’s diversity, improve perceptions of our community, and grow the economy.

Measuring Impact: Key Metrics

• Percent of 18 – 24 year olds enrolled in a post-secondary institution or apprenticeship program
• Percent of people who complete a degree, credential, or apprenticeship program
• Close gap in high school graduation rates between students of color and white students
• Number of businesses, schools and students participating in TW talent development strategies