New Endowment Secures Long Term Funding for Fresno Chamber Education Programs

Forward Fresno Foundation on December 2 launched the Forward Fresno Endowment to create long term, stable funding for the Fresno County Chamber of Commerce educational programs. The new endowment is intended to underwrite initiatives that equip local students, emerging leaders, and workforce talent with practical experience and training that feed Fresno County employers and civic organizations.

The Chamber’s roster of programs supported by the endowment includes the Young Entrepreneurs Program, known as YEP, Leadership Fresno, Small Business University, the San Joaquin Political Academy, and Business News, along with other educational opportunities designed to connect business and education with the broader community. Foundation leaders said the endowment will make annual program support more predictable, and will allow organizers to plan multi year initiatives and expand outreach.

The first gift to launch the endowment was donated by businessman Steve Geil and his family. The endowment will be managed with dual goals of preserving principal and providing annual support to enhance and expand programming. “The Fresno Chamber’s mission extends beyond advocacy, it includes cultivating the leaders, workforce, and innovators who will shape tomorrow’s Fresno,” said chamber CEO Scott Miller. “Investing in the endowment ensures that the programs shaping Fresno’s future workforce will remain strong, innovative, and accessible well into the future.”

For Fresno residents the endowment offers a durable mechanism to sustain training that local employers rely on to fill entry level and supervisory roles. By stabilizing funding for entrepreneurship and leadership pipelines, organizers expect stronger continuity in mentorship, internships, and small business assistance that support job creation and retention across the county. Stable program funding can also help smaller employers and nonprofit partners plan multi year collaborations with schools and training providers.

Community members, businesses, and philanthropic partners are invited to contribute through the Fresno Chamber of Commerce to grow the endowment and expand program reach. Organizers say additional donations will be used to broaden participation, deepen curriculum, and maintain affordable access for students and emerging leaders across Fresno County.