Lakeland Business Guide 2019 Chamber Guide_2019 | Page 75
With a mission to increase programming to benefit the Lakeland business community,
the Lakeland Chamber Foundation has invested in the community since 1973. As the
Foundation moves from a private to a public entity, it looks to continue to benefit the
community through additional programming.
WRIT TEN BY PRISCILL A BURR
O
ne of the greatest benefits
of the Lakeland Chamber
of Commerce is its
investment in the community
through the Chamber Foundation, Inc.
Founded in 1973, the 501(c)3 not-for-
profit organization serves the needs
of Lakeland through community and
education initiatives. For 35 years, the
foundation operated strictly as a grants
program. Through contributions from
member businesses and individuals, the
Foundation was able to award small
grants to not-for-profit organizations in
the Lakeland area.
Within the past year, the Foundation
moved from a private entity to public
charity status, shifting its focus to
business development in order to serve
as the philanthropic aid for small and
large businesses within the community.
The change from a private to public
entity affords the Foundation the ability
to access federal, state, and corporate
grants in order to increase business
education training, as well as additional
programming. Organizations eligible
for grant awards are required to hold a
501(c)3 status. Funds received from the
Foundation must be used to benefit the
Greater Lakeland area, support specific
programs and not Capital Projects.
“The Foundation discovered that they
were duplicating efforts in the community
and wanted to fine tune the mission to
coincide with the Lakeland Chamber
mission to assist businesses in the
community,” says Darla Sechrest Pettaway,
chief development officer for the
Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce.
“After meeting with community leaders,
it was determined that providing focused
services that benefit business education,
skills training, and management pipeline
were most integral.”
Pettaway has served at the Chamber
since July of 2017 and has helped lead
the initiative for the Foundation to
move from a private to public entity.
“After achieving public charity status, the
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