Foundation

The St. Paul Area Chamber Charitable Foundation was formed as the philanthropic arm of the Chamber in 1976, to advance education and workforce development initiatives within the St. Paul/East Metro area.

​We love St. Paul/We love Midway

The St. Paul Area Chamber Charitable Foundation, a registered 501(c)3, in partnership with the Midway Chamber of Commerce and the St. Paul Downtown Alliance, is collecting donations to support our community with direct financial support to small businesses and nonprofits to help them rebuild their storefronts, reopen their businesses, and serve our neighborhoods after the civil unrest in 2020. Share the love! Please consider donating to help rebuild small businesses and community organizations in the Midway and across St. Paul.

DONATE NOW

You can also send checks to:
St. Paul Area Chamber Charitable Foundation,
ATTN: We Love St. Paul
​401 North Robert Street - Suite 150, St. Paul, MN 55101

​Helping to Grow Leaders and Communities

Our mission is to make targeted investments to develop and support engaged leaders who enhance a vibrant East Metro business community.

We provide the following to our members and the
​St. Paul/East Metro community:

• Leadership programs to educate members on the issues facing our community
• Committed volunteers
• Fundraising initiatives to address the most pressing issues surrounding workforce development and education

Your generous donation of any amount will help support the programs and initiatives guaranteed to positively impact your business for years to come.

What We Do

The Foundation Grows Leaders and Communities by bringing business resources and community opportunities together. We advocate the need for leadership in helping our business community meet workforce challenges.

The Foundation supports its mission to grow strong leaders through its flagship program, Leadership Saint Paul (LSP). Approximately 2,200 participants have completed this program over the last 40 years, learning about the issues and trends facing our community. Today, many LSP graduates are serving in leadership roles within local community organizations, corporations and non-profit boards. 

We raise money to support our leadership development in the East Metro through the Really Big Time Raffle and The Annual Foundation Luncheon. Really Big Time Raffle ticket sales will first be available in January in anticipation of our the 2021 Annual Meeting where the drawing will be held, but if you're interested in purchasing, contact Kathleen Lohmar Exel at 651.265.2782 to get on the waitlist.

Foundation Staff Contacts

Kathleen Lohmar Exel 
Foundation Director, St. Paul Area Chamber  
​651.265.2782 
Email

Foundation Board of Directors

Amanda Knutson
​Launch My Health, Board Chair

Karyn Berg
Ramsey County Workforce Solutions

Justin Bieganek
Mercury Creative Group

Dana Cottrell
Xcel Energy

Nicki Donlon
Baker Tilly

Therese Gales
Catholic Charities

Peter Jandric
Baird

​Julia Jenson
Western National

B Kyle
St. Paul Area Chamber

James Lockwood
Neurosign

Emily Post
Securian Financial

Tamara Prato
Connect The Dots LLC

Rachael Reiling
Venture Solutions

Scott Rynda
Travelers

​Suchi Sairam
Kala Vandanam

Patrick Sievert
Boyum Barenscheer

Sara Swenson
Goff Public

Carol E. Wilkie
​University of St. Thomas