The Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce Foundation was formed as a 501 (c) 3 organization May 23, 2003, for the purpose of providing education and training to persons in the Topeka/Shawnee County area for the development and improvement of job skills. Grants made will be exclusively charitable, scientific, and educational.

The Foundation will primarily support programs that address the following purposes:

• Provide educational and training opportunities designed to qualify persons, primarily the unemployed or underemployed, for employment.
• Promote education and training for lifelong learning and improvement of job skills.
• Support the advancement and diffusion of knowledge and understanding of economics, matters of public concern, finance, education and training, housing, human relations, problems of minority groups, science and technology, agriculture, economic planning and development, international relations and other subjects related to improved efficiency, development, and acceleration of both the quality and quantity of economic growth and employment opportunities in Topeka and Shawnee County.
• Provide or support programs which reduce or eliminate prejudice and discrimination and promote an understanding of the value of diversity in the market place, including the attraction or retention of employers which provide and support diverse employment opportunities, in economically distressed areas.

• Supporting redev eloment efforts in downtown and East Topeka.
• First Connection Opportunity Fund, a revolving microloan program targeted to socially and economically disadvantaged individuals in Shawnee County.
• Heartland Visioning, a community-wide visioning process, encouraging collaboration towards a strategic plan for Topeka and Shawnee County.
• Entryway beautification in Topeka and Shawnee County.
  Helping start new small entrepreneurial businesses.
• Contributions from local businesses and industry, as well as individuals and governmental or charitable sources are welcome.

Officers & Board Members (2011)
Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce Foundation

Officers
James Davis, Chair, Custom Neon & Vinyl Graphics, Inc.
Greg Schwerdt, Chair-elect, Schwerdt Design Group
Coleen Jennison, Treasurer, Cox Communications
John Dicus, Past Chair, Capitol Federal
Doug Kinsinger, Secretary, Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce

Ex-Officio Board Members
Steve Briman, Bartlett & West
Amber Gentry, Networks Plus
Randy Goldsmith, CB Richard Ellis, Inc.
Jim Ogle, WIBW Channels
Neil Dobler, Bartlett & West

Elected Director (term expires 12/2011)
B.J. Hickert, Newbury, Ungerer & Hickert

Elected Director (term expires 12/2012)
Terry Wright, FHLBank Topeka

Elected Directors (term expires 12/2013)
Elizabeth Barranco, Capitol Federal
Glenda DuBoise, Community Member