Louisville, Ky. (April 22, 2021) – Today, the Greater Louisville Inc. (GLI) Board of Directors and Greater Louisville Foundation (GLF) announced the launch of a personal fundraising challenge to secure funding to support the launch and core operations of the Career Acceleration Network. Together, the GLI Board of Directors and GLF, will work to secure $100,000 in private contributions before the program launches this summer.

The Career Acceleration Network will launch as a two-year pilot program to move workers in low-skill, low-paying jobs, to skilled jobs with family-supporting wages. The program will create a talent pipeline with the support of employers, higher-education institutions, and skills training professionals to help people advance their careers. As participants work with educational and training partners, they will advance in the network to higher skilled positions at higher wages. The program also benefits the employers by creating a steady stream of eager talent.

“The Career Acceleration Network will fulfill an important need in our community and will help us empower and grow our workforce,” said Sarah Davasher-Wisdom, President and CEO of Greater Louisville Inc. “We are thrilled that our Board of Directors is personally invested in the success of this program and look forward to working with them to bring it to fruition.”

While corporate support will fund a majority of the pilot program, this private funding is critical to the core operations of the program allowing the hiring of two full-time positions to support participants on their career journey. Additional funding will still be secured and used to support other aspects of the program including a tuition assistance fund, to increase the efficacy and connectivity of the network.

Chair of GLF and Principal of Thornton Capital, Matt Thornton, is leading the fundraising challenge by pledging $25,000.

“The Career Acceleration Network is an important initiative for our workforce and our entire community,” said Thornton. “We need to invest in our workforce now and ensure there are opportunities for mobility for people of all backgrounds. I am optimistic for what we can achieve through this initiative.”

The Career Acceleration Network will launch this summer with 13 businesses and nine community and workforce partners committed to pilot the program.

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About Greater Louisville Foundation

The Greater Louisville Foundation Inc, a 501(c)3, was formed in 1987 to identify, mobilize and fund programs that address Louisville’s greatest challenges regarding business growth and increase economic prosperity for all citizens in the Greater Louisville region, including economic development initiatives that benefit the Louisville Metro region.

 

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About Greater Louisville Inc.

Greater Louisville Inc. - the Metro Chamber of Commerce is focused on growing the regional economy. As the region’s largest convener of business leadership, GLI leads economic and global outreach strategies focused on business attraction; nurtures the entrepreneurial eco-system; and champions the development of the community’s talent base.  As the voice of Greater Louisville’s business community, GLI advocates for a pro-business environment and facilitates businesses engagement on issues that impact regional competitiveness.  For more information, visit www.greaterlouisville.com.