Civic Leadership & Community Impact

Warmest congratulations to M Health Fairview, recipient of the 2025 American Hospital Association’s (AHA) Foster G. McGraw Prize for outstanding community impact. This is a significant and rate honor – it’s the first time in nearly 30 years that a Minnesota health system has received the award.

COMPETE | 25

Wednesday, August 13

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Don't miss out on the unveiling of the 2025 Regional Indicators Dashboard!

Join us for our fourth annual Career Connect Day on October 14, 2025, at the ​Saint Paul RiverCentre as we welcome more than 2,000 students and more than 100 businesses!

We are currently seeking sponsors and exhibitors - learn more about the opportunities.

With the holiday season approaching, we're exploring the idea of creating a coupon book to help our members promote their businesses.

We’d love to hear your thoughts!

If you're interested in participating or have feedback, please reach out to us.

WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS

STATE FAIR DEAL: DoubleTree St. Paul East is offering a State Fair Special that includes a discounted room rate, free parking, shuttle service to and from the Minnesota State Fair (based on availability), a Blue Ribbon Coupon Book, and a food and beverage credit. Reservations must be made through this link to receive the offer. To get the State Fair Package - search for a room over any date(s) of the fair and click on the more rates button to find the package deal.

Enjoy all Grand Avenue has to offer...with your dog at Paws on Grand!

Shop the Pet Marketplace, get pet portraits, and cheer on the Wiener Dog Races! No dog? No problem. PAWS on Grand partners with dozens of pet rescue organizations so you can adopt a range of pets.

Interested in participating? Fill out an interest form below.

Support Local Animal Rescues and Nonprofits at Paws for a Cause Walk

Get ready to enjoy a leisurely stroll while raising awareness and funds for our four-legged friends in need. Starting at 1 PM, walk a mile along Grand Avenue with your furry friends to help support a great cause. The cost is $25 per family and includes one special treat for your 4-legged friend. Paws for a Cause Walk is sponsored by Mick’s Bottle Shop.

Come together to support John Hoffman, his wife Yvette, and their daughter Hope in the wake of the tragic June 15 shooting that left both John and Yvette critically injured. To aid with their ongoing medical expenses and long-term recovery, friends and supporters are hosting “Hearts and Healing for the Hoffmans”, a community fundraiser on Saturday, August 9, 2025, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Dual Citizen Brewing Company, located at 725 Raymond Avenue in Saint Paul. For a $100 donation, attendees will receive a commemorative cup, refillable throughout the event.  It will feature live music from the North Star Jazz Workshop, games, stories, and, if their healing continues to progress, a video visit from John and Yvette. Additional contributions of any amount are also welcomed through Go Fund Me page at https://gofund.me/49c85796 All proceeds will go directly to the Hoffman family to help with recovery and future needs.

The Airport Foundation MSP invites you to attend the State of the Airport Annual Luncheon on Thursday, September 18 at the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis Hotel. The premiere Twin Cities business luncheon - hosted by the Airport Foundation MSP and the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) - brings together more than 600 local business and civic leaders to gain insights on the national air travel industry and the latest developments at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP), one of the most influential drivers of the local economy. 

To learn more about the event, becoming a sponsor, purchasing a table or half table, or individual seats, please click HERE.

The Saint Paul Festival and Heritage Foundation (SPFHF), proud producers of the iconic Saint Paul Winter Carnival, The Coolest Celebration on Earth™, is thrilled to announce the appointment of a new Director of Operations, Ken Olson. The newly created role and Ken’s addition to the leadership team marks a significant step forward in advancing the Foundation’s mission to foster community spirit, celebrate local heritage, and orchestrate world-class events.

Royal Credit Union’s Test Drive Mobile allows high school-aged participants to test drive their future using an app-based simulation that helps them see if they have what it takes to make it on their own as a 25-year-old. They begin the simulation by choosing from 40 different careers and based on their choice, are given a monthly income. They will also be given information about their family, current debts, and credit score. Then they walk around and make purchases at 11 different stations while staying within their monthly budget. Volunteers at each station share information with them about the topic and guide them through the different options based on their lifestyle and budget. 

In order for this event to be successful, we need approximately 25 volunteers. You will have the ability to choose which station to be at and no experience is required! Prior to the event, we will supply you with all of the information you need to understand your role and help guide students. At the conclusion of the event, Royal Credit Union will be providing lunch for all volunteers and youth participants. Thank you for considering being part of this unique and impactful experience for Cookie Cart interns!

Sign up today: Test Drive Mobile Aug. 20, 2025

DEED’s Small Business Assistance Office has published the 43rd edition of its comprehensive Guide to Starting a Business in Minnesota. The Guide is available in a digital format on the DEED website and has the same content and format as the hard copy. The Guide contains a concise summary discussion of major issues, questions and concerns that are most commonly raised by those starting a business. Explore the digital guide.

Are you interested in hosting a group of young adults (<24 yrs old) on a career exploration experience at your company or organization? The Sanneh Foundation is seeking industry partners to help our young employees explore career paths and build their social networks. The attached flyer has information about these visits and about our workforce program. If you are interested, just reach out to Melissa@stpaulchamber.com and she can connect you with Sanneh staff to coordinate the details. They are looking for Fridays in late July through mid August. Additionally, we are hosting a week’s worth of activities August 11-15 and could schedule a visit any day that week.

We’d like to invite you to apply to CEO Next, a no-cost group learning opportunity from Hennepin County that brings together successful business leaders like you to work through challenges of scale, and gain access to exceptional business research. Hennepin, Ramsey, Dakota, and Scott County have partnered to offer this program at no cost for business leaders who see more than $1 million in revenue and have between 10 and 99 employees.

For more than 13 years, this group-learning opportunity has brought successful business leaders together with each other, guest speakers, and market research. Learn more and apply for CEO Next.

Help Create a Joyful Day for Families Facing Childhood Cancer

Join us for Valleyfair Cares Day on Friday, August 15, in partnership with the American Cancer Society. It’s more than just a day at the park—it’s a chance to bring smiles, laughter, and hope to children with cancer and their loved ones.

A $500 donation gives one family a memorable day at Valleyfair, including park admission, parking, commemorative t-shirts, and lunch—all at no cost to them.

🎢 Give the gift of joy today: Click here to sponsor a family! Thanks to the generous support of Valleyfair Cares, 100% of your sponsorship benefits the American Cancer Society’s Gold Together initiative, supporting pediatric cancer research and family services.

For more information, contact Tami Siebert at tami.siebert@cancer.org

Let’s stand together. Because every child deserves a day to simply be a kid.

WORKFORCE

Tree Trust Offers Paid Job Training for Young Adults

Tree Trust is accepting applicants ages 18–28 for its Branches employment training program this fall and winter. The program is open to those with a high school diploma, GED, or completion of 12th grade and enrollment in a transition program.

The next cohort runs Sept. 3–Nov. 12, 2025, with another following from Nov. 17, 2025–Jan. 30, 2026. Participants work Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–3 p.m., earning $16/hour while gaining experience in tree care and landscape construction. Perks include free daily transportation, paid work gear, certification in CPR/First Aid and arboriculture, driving permit/license support, and a dedicated employment coach.

Click HERE to apply.