State Chamber launches foundation focusing on economic issues facing state

Founded in 1999, The Partnership, Inc. has headed initiatives such as Intern Delaware, the Navigating Delaware Pathways Summit, the Superstars in Education & Training awards program, the Delaware Young Professionals Network, and the Delaware Principal for a Day program.

The  Delaware State Chamber Foundation will take on a broader role going forward. 

Through nonpartisan research, data-driven analysis, and  collaboration, the foundation will address pressing challenges facing the business community, track Delaware’s competitiveness over time, and contribute to turning insights into actionable policy changes,  Chamber officials stated.  The work produced by the Foundation will contribute by providing the tools and insights needed to strengthen the state’s long-term economic health.

“Delaware’s business community is looking for leadership in tackling the state’s most urgent challenges — from workforce development to regulations, health care, and the cost of doing business,” said Michael J. Quaranta, president of the DSCC. “The Delaware State Chamber Foundation will be that space for collaboration, research, and action — where good ideas become lasting solutions.”

The DSCC emphasized that this work will be accomplished in partnership with its member organizations and other stakeholders across the state, including the Delaware Business Roundtable and the  Delaware Prosperity Partnership.

“It is not our goal to repeat or recreate work that’s already been done. There are many great studies and ideas in existence, and we know many of Delaware’s challenges already,” said Quaranta. “The key is to dig deeper into those issues, bring all parties to the table to understand the root of the problem, identify the most actionable steps, and drive those ideas across the finish line to deliver real change for Delaware.”

Intern Delaware was recently handed off to Leadership Delaware and Junior Achievement will champion the Delaware Principal for a Day program moving forward. The Delaware Young Professionals Network will stay under the State Chamber’s umbrella while the Navigating Delaware Pathways Summit and Superstars in Education & Training awards will remain within the foundation.

“Renaming The Partnership and expanding its mission is a reflection of how we, as an organization, are continuing to evolve to meet the needs of Delaware’s business community,” stated Kelly Basile, chief operating officer at the DSCC. “Innovation requires deviation, and this step ensures we go beyond simply sharing ideas to delivering measurable results.”

Further information  about the Delaware State Chamber Foundation, can be found at dscc.com/foundation.