The Chamber of Commerce of South Jersey announced a relaunch of the South Jersey Chamber Foundation, Thursday night in Cherry Hill, during its annual meeting.

The foundation is known for running the South Jersey Summer Institute for Educators program, a workforce development/professional development experience for South Jersey-based educators interested in learning more about the regional economy.

In the past two years, under the leadership of outgoing chair Deborah Hays, the organization has worked to revamp and expand the efforts of the 501c3 entity.

With the foundation’s relaunch, its mission will be two-fold: Education & workforce development (SJ Summer Institute for Educators) and a new arm focused on small business micro-grant allocations to companies located in underserved areas of South Jersey.

CCSNJ CEO Christina Renna said the foundation’s mission will be to give back to the small business community that it serves, helping small employers with expenses from everything from startup costs to utility bills and business equipment costs.

A new board of trustees for the foundation will be installed in January. It will be led by Joseph Devine, former president of Kennedy Health/Jefferson Health – New Jersey (retired)/President of ExecUcoach Leadership.

The announcement of foundation’s relaunch was made during the chamber’s annual meeting, during which it was announced that Robin Walton had been elected its new chair. (see story here)