Foundation Programs

The Gilbert Chamber Foundation is dedicated to advancing the quality of life in Gilbert through education, leadership, and community enhancement. As such, we hold signature fundraising events to support this mission. The funds raised at these events help us to sustain important programs, including workforce readiness efforts, Gilbert Leadership, and Chamber For Good.

Each year, the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce Foundation provides scholarships to students who attend or plan to attend an accredited vocational, 2-year, or 4-year institution within six months. Recipient(s) must have demonstrated engagement through involvement in the local Gilbert community and additional weight is given to those students who have participated in a Gilbert Chamber Foundation program.

Designed for Gilbert-area educators, this program provides insight and resources to help participants better understand current and future workforce needs and trends. Participants tour businesses and industries and engage in facilitated conversations to identify local employers' hiring and education requirements. Tours for Teachers is a verified Arizona Department of Education/Career & Technical Education sponsored or approved staff/professional development to be used for CTE certification instead of college credit.

The Shadowing and Mentorship program pairs high school and college students with industry professionals to provide an inside look at daily operations in their fields of interest. The Gilbert Chamber Foundation collects student applications each year for the program cycle. Each student and mentor can work at their own pace to accomplish between 16 and 20 hours of career shadowing. All mentors and students come together for a closing reception at the end of each cycle.

Interested in becoming a mentor? Fill out our interest formHERE.

All participants must upload a résumé and a Release of Liability form.

This elimination-style event is designed to facilitate mock interview sessions between students and professionals. It aims to provide students with valuable opportunities to practice their interview skills, receive feedback, and gain insights from experienced business leaders. By fostering these interactions, the event aims to bridge the gap between academia and industry, equipping students with the tools and confidence to succeed in their future careers.

This annual event brings together business, education, and government representatives for collaborative conversations on issues impacting the workforce and talent pipeline. Each table includes representation from government, education, and small and large businesses, and attendees work on a series of discussion questions to assess opportunities to support one another.

Many local professionals are eager to support our educators. We encourage educators and administrators to reach out to the Gilbert Chamber Foundation with opportunities for professionals to volunteer, serve as guest speakers, provide input on curriculum, review student projects, serve as science fair judges, and more. These community connections allow us to provide teachers and students access to business experts.

The Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) is an innovative program that empowers students to develop entrepreneurial skills by collaborating with professionals to draft and pitch a business plan. Throughout the program, students receive mentorship and guidance from experienced business leaders, learning firsthand about market research, financial management, and presentation skills. By engaging in this hands-on experience, students gain practical business knowledge and cultivate creativity, critical thinking, and leadership abilities essential for success in the entrepreneurial world.

Hosted by the Gilbert Chamber Foundation and the Office of the Mayor, these meetings focus on various industry sectors or geographical corridors to gain insight into how the Town and Chamber can best support local business growth and retention. Each meeting includes representation from both the Town and Chamber leadership. These leaders debrief within a week after the meeting to identify action items for each organization.

This holiday program benefits Gilbert’s income-challenged senior citizens, home-bound seniors, and disabled Gilbert residents. Community members adopt a senior by requesting a wish list, then shop for and return the items to the Chamber. Additionally, the Chamber Foundation hosts a holiday party for our income-challenged seniors and provides breakfast, entertainment by local students, and gift bags for all attendees. Donations of gift cards and other items are accepted to give gifts and giveaways.

A Civic Event series comprises gatherings addressing civic issues and fostering community engagement. Through discussions and presentations, participants explore topics relevant to the community's development and collaborate on potential solutions, aiming to promote civic engagement, activate the community, and enhance the quality of life for residents.

The Gilbert Chamber of Commerce partners with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation to host a civics competition encouraging young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. Participating 6th, 7th, and 8th graders flex their civics knowledge to win recognition and cash prizes. Finalists will be invited to Washington, DC, to compete in the National Civics Bee® championship.

The Veterans In Business Breakfast delivers meaningful content and valuable resources by focusing on the ability of business professionals to have a powerful impact on the community. The event inspires and empowers attendees to unleash their potential and drive positive change. The event fosters professional growth, connections, and a sense of community through engaging speakers, interactive discussions, and networking opportunities, ultimately contributing to a stronger and more impactful business community.

The Veterans In Business Expo and Luncheon is a half-day event designed to bring together business professionals for connection, learning, and empowerment in a positive and supportive environment. With onsite and simulcast speakers offering valuable insights, vendors showcasing products and services, and dedicated networking sessions, the event creates a space for collaboration, inspiration, and community.

The Glow Golf event, hosted by the Veterans Business Council, offers a unique twist on the traditional game. It features a nighttime golfing experience illuminated by glowing equipment and neon lights. Participants enjoy an evening of camaraderie and friendly competition while supporting veterans' initiatives and fostering networking opportunities within the business community.

The annual Golf Tournament supports the Gilbert Chamber Foundation's programs and fosters community engagement. With 18 holes of golf, tournament contests, and a lively after-party, this event offers an ideal opportunity for networking, team building, and contributing to advancing the Foundation's initiatives - supporting professional and leadership development, workforce, civic, and community-centric initiatives.

Leadercast is your all-in-one source to being a leader worth following. Leadercast Live is the world’s largest one-day leadership event, delivering transformative leadership lessons from top experts to nearly 100,000 people across the globe. The Gilbert Chamber Foundation is proud to host a broadcast of this event each year - right here in Gilbert!

Attendees enjoy an evening of dinner and casino-style games using play money good only at the event. Winnings are exchanged for raffle tickets which can be entered into drawing for raffle items. This event benefits the Gilbert Chamber Foundation in support of programs, including Gilbert Leadership.

Founded in 1991, Gilbert Leadership brings together individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences to develop their leadership potential and to expose participants to the issues impacting our community. By understanding the needs and concerns in a wide variety of areas, these individuals will be better able to contribute their resources to making a difference in many ways. Class applications are accepted between March 1st and July 5th of each year.