WASHINGTON, D.C. – To honor recently retired longtime CEO Tom Donohue and his commitment to workforce development, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation announced a $50,000 scholarship fund to support skills training that will empower more Americans to get ahead in their careers and build better lives. The Donohue Family Foundation has matched the gift to provide a total of $100,000 in scholarship funding for individuals across the United States who are pursuing high-demand careers that don’t require a four-year degree.
The Donohue Family SkillPointe Scholarship program will help address the persistent skills gap facing American industry while increasing income mobility for workers. At present, millions of skilled jobs remain unfilled due to lack of qualified applicants, placing U.S. industry at a competitive disadvantage. The gap also means significant economic opportunity goes unrealized by workers.
“Throughout his career, Tom devoted significant time and effort to driving solutions that make our workforce stronger, more resilient, and more competitive. So, it is very fitting and meaningful to honor him in this way—and at such a critical moment,” said Suzanne P. Clark, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “The worker shortage is one of the most pressing economic challenges of our time.”
“The Donohue Family Foundation is proud to join the U.S. Chamber Foundation in support of the SkillPointe Scholarship program,” said John Donohue, the president of the Donohue Family Foundation. “Our foundation was created to support causes dear to the heart of Tom Donohue and his beloved late wife, Liz, who played such an important role in Tom’s success as CEO of the Chamber. The family was deeply moved that the U.S. Chamber Foundation honored Tom’s retirement with a generous contribution to the cause of American workforce development. It is a critical mission which Tom championed throughout his career and we are very pleased to make our own contribution to the SkillPointe Scholarship.”
A total of 50 Donohue Family SkillPointe Scholarships in the amount of $2,000 each will be awarded by the Atlanta-based SkillPointe Foundation during 2022 and 2023. Scholarships are available to individuals of all backgrounds pursuing vocational training in industries such as construction, communications, energy, healthcare, manufacturing, public service, technology, and transportation.
“American industry needs a larger and more inclusive skilled workforce to maintain competitiveness, and millions of Americans need new skills to realize available opportunities and achieve a better life,” said Alvin Townley, executive director of the SkillPointe Foundation. “We’re honored to help the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and the Donohue Family Foundation address these challenges by managing this special scholarship and helping individuals and industry alike realize their potential.”
To apply for a Donohue Family SkillPointe Scholarship, please visit here. Deadlines for the 2022 scholarships are March 31 and September 30. You can learn more about this partnership and scholarship program at USChamberFoundation.org or SkillPointeFoundation.org.
About the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation is dedicated to strengthening America’s long-term competitiveness. We educate the public on the conditions necessary for business and communities to thrive, how business positively impacts communities, and emerging issues and creative solutions that will shape the future.
About the Donohue Family Foundation
The Donohue Family Foundation was established by Thomas and Elizabeth Donohue to support non-profit institutions making a tangible and positive difference in peoples’ lives. For over two decades, the Foundation has made impactful contributions to advance cancer research, support children’s healthcare, feed and empower the homeless, help those battling substance abuse, and provide greater access to quality education, training, and opportunity.
About the SkillPointe Foundation
The SkillPointe Foundation partners with organizations like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, The Home Depot Foundation, and NetJets to provide financial aid to individuals of all backgrounds seeking skills training for high-demand careers not requiring a four-year degree. Specifically, the SkillPointe Foundation works with donors to manage strategic scholarship programs that increase opportunities for aspiring workers and build the talent pool needed by American industry. In its first twelve months of operation, the Foundation has awarded 100 scholarships nationwide. It is an independent affiliate of SkillPointe.com.
