Southwestern Vermont Chamber launches Chamber Foundation; $150,000 committed to advance regional economy
The Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce unveiled the Southwestern Vermont Chamber Foundation, a newly formed charitable organization dedicated to advancing the regional economy through workforce development, business growth, leadership, research, and community investment. That announcement came during the Chamber's Annual Membership Meeting on Friday, which was held at the Monument Arts and Cultural Center and brought together more than 100 hundred Chamber members, board directors, staff, and regional stakeholders.
Chamber leaders said more than $150,000 has already been committed to the Foundation. Founding investments were recognized on stage, including leadership support from The Bank of Bennington, The Right Track Foundation, and seed investment from the Southwestern Vermont Chamber itself.
“This Foundation exists for one reason: to accelerate progress in ways the Chamber alone cannot,” said Matt Harrington, CEO of the Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce and the Chamber Foundation. “It allows us to attract philanthropic capital, secure grants, and make long-term investments that strengthen our workforce, grow businesses, and build resilient communities across Southwestern Vermont.”
A New Platform for Regional Impact
While the Chamber continues its advocacy and membership-driven work, the Foundation creates a complementary, charitable vehicle focused on long-term regional capacity building. Its early priorities include:
Workforce development and talent attraction
Entrepreneurship and small business support
Leadership development and civic capacity
Destination marketing and regional storytelling
Data, research, and insight to guide smart decision-making
The Foundation is governed by an independent Board of Directors, formally introduced during the meeting. The board includes Chair Shannon McLenithan of the Bank of Bennington, Vice Chair Caryn Packard of Southwestern Vermont Health Care, and Directors Ahmad Yassir of Vermont News and Media, JJ Williams of Williams Financial, and Harrington of the Southwestern Vermont Chamber.
Leadership Milestone for the Chamber
In addition, after 10 years at the helm, Harrington was formally named Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce and the Chamber Foundation, reflecting the expanded scope and complexity of the organization’s work.
Since joining the Chamber nearly a decade ago, Harrington has overseen substantial growth in programming, partnerships, and regional influence including a reimagined Garlic Fest in Garlic Town, USA, Homebrew Festivals, Women in Leadership and Heart of The Shires Luncheons and Chamber Telecasts during the pandemic. He has earned the Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential, served as current Chair of the Vermont Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (VACCE), graduated from the national Institute for Organization Management (IOM), and served as IOM faculty. The CEO role also oversees two additional affiliated nonprofit organizations -- The Shires Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) and The Shires Young Professionals (SYP) -- as well as the Bennington State Welcome Center.
“It has been an absolute privilege to serve all of you and this region. Thank you for that privilege," said Harrington during the meeting. "Over the past decade, we have weathered change, embraced opportunity, and proven that Southwestern Vermont moves forward when we move forward together. We’ve built programs and festivals, strengthened partnerships, elevated our collective voice, and helped shape an economy rooted in resilience and community. And standing here today — ten years later — I can say with absolute clarity: we are just getting started."
Governance, Recognition & Looking Ahead
Members in attendance also approved the 2026 Chamber operational budget and recognized the service of retiring board members Tom Dailey, Brenda Jones, Rep. Mary Morrissey, and current board treasurer Bill Deveneau. The Chamber welcomed three new directors to the Board: Alex Figueroa, Ed Barbeau, and Jessica Smith Hartleben, and a new Shires Young Professionals Chair Dr. Courtnay Wilson.
The evening celebrated excellence across the region with the presentation of four annual awards:
New Member of the Year: Haberdasher Wine & Provisions of Bennington
Member of the Year: Hoffman Car Wash
Regional Visionaries Award: Steve & Lauren Bryant of Church Street Hospitality
Lifetime Achievement Award: Tom Dailey, former Treasurer of the Chamber and attorney at Cummings and Dailey, LLP
“From the very beginning, Tom was there with me and for me — especially when I was a young director, when times were tough, or when the path forward wasn’t clear. He would say in that calm, comforting voice we know him for, ‘Just keep going, Matt. It’ll be fine,’” said Harrington while presenting the Lifetime Achievement award. “From steering Chamber finances through uncertainty to helping lead record-breaking Garlic Fests, bringing the Vermont Christmas Tree to Washington, D.C., and supporting signature events like Moosefest, Catamount Prowl, and our car shows, Tom has been a steady force - often in the background - reminding us all to keep moving forward.”
An Invitation to Invest in the Region’s Future
With governance in place, early capital committed, and a clear first-year focus on building strong systems and listening to community needs, the Southwestern Vermont Chamber Foundation officially begins its work.
“This launch is not just an announcement; it’s an invitation,” McLenithan said. “An invitation to invest in a more vibrant, resilient, and prosperous Southwestern Vermont. Together, we can ensure the next generation can live, work, and thrive right here in The Shires.”
For more information on the Chamber Foundation visit www.swvtchamber.com/foundation
