About Us

The Community Growth Educational Foundation has served the chamber of commerce profession since 1971. Since its inception, CGEF has helped hundreds of chamber professionals acquire the skills, knowledge, and resources they need to be community builders and stewards.

Its mission is quite simply to enhance to role of chamber and association executives as community builders and to support the American Chamber of Commerce Executives with programs and resources.

Leadership

• CGEF partners with leading organizations including the Ford and Heinz Foundations, to provide programs of the highest quality.

Philanthropy

• More than $120,000 was raised to help chambers impacted by Hurricane Katrina.

Education

• CGEF supports executive development for chamber executives, with programs such as The 21st Century Chamber Leadership Experience and the Regional and Sustainable Development Fellowship.

Scholarships

• CGEF has awarded more than $35,000 in scholarships to chamber professionals to attend the ACCE Annual Convention – the largest gathering of chamber professionals in North America.

Research

• CGEF is working to identify the community leadership model of the future so that chamber executives will be prepared with the tools, skills and knowledge they need to be a success.