Bay Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation Receives Grant from Bay Area Community Foundation for Youth

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Annabelle Schweiger, Marketing and Communications Manager

Annabelle@baycityarea.com

989.893.4567

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – May 28, 2025

Bay Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation Receives Grant from

Bay Area Community Foundation for Youth Leadership Bay County

BAY CITY, MI – The Bay Area Chamber of Commerce has been awarded a $2,120 grant from the from Youth Advisory Endowment Found and Women's Philanthropy Circle at the Bay Area Community Foundation to support its Youth Leadership Bay County program. This funding will help expand access to leadership development opportunities for local students by offsetting program costs and enhancing the overall experience.

Youth Leadership Bay County is a dynamic, hands-on program offered to high school juniors across Bay County. Designed to cultivate leadership skills and civic awareness, the program guides students through monthly sessions focused on topics such as local history, government, business, education, healthcare, and law enforcement, each led by influential community leaders and professionals.

In addition to skill-building and networking, students are divided into small teams and challenged to identify a need within Bay County. These teams then design and implement a community service project that addresses the issue they have chosen, developing solutions, managing logistics, and engaging with local partners along the way. This project not only strengthens collaboration and critical thinking but also provides a real opportunity for students to make a tangible impact on their community.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Bay Area Community Foundation for their support of Youth Leadership Bay County,” said Magen Samyn, President & CEO of the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce. “This grant helps us provide meaningful, real-world experiences for our youth, empowering the next generation of leaders to build confidence, foster community connections, and create lasting impact in Bay County.”

The Bay Area Community Foundation awards grants twice a year to local nonprofits and 501(c)(3)s in Bay and Arenac Counties. The Foundation's mission is to fulfill a wide array of donors' charitable wishes by building permanent endowment funds and serving as a leader for community improvement through effective grantmaking and collaboration.

The Chamber encourages member businesses and professionals to get involved with Youth Leadership Bay County. Whether serving as a guest speaker, sponsoring a session, or volunteering as an adult mentor, there are many meaningful ways to support the development of future leaders in our community. To learn more or express your interest in participating, please contact Jodi LaMont at jodi@baycityarea.com.

About The Bay Area Chamber of Commerce

Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, founded in 1882, is a private, non-profit business organization with nearly 800 members that provides programs to assist local businesses grow and prosper. The Bay Area Chamber of Commerce joins area businesses and the community for the economic growth and well-being of the entire Bay Area.