WASHINGTON, D.C. - The United States Chamber of Commerce Center for Corporate Citizenship brought together the nation's leaders from the business, nonprofit and government sectors to call attention to the need for increased support for business and K-12 education partnerships.

"The next generation of business-education partnerships must become more flexible and agile," said Suzanne Clark, Chamber COO and president of the CCC. "To do this, we must increase the flow of communication and collaboration between our schools and our businesses."

Nearly 70 percent of all school districts engage in business-education partnerships, worth an estimated $2.4 billion in human, financial and in-kind contributions. While large businesses account for many partnerships, the majority, 71 percent, are with small businesses. These partnerships range from small business owners rewarding students for making the honor roll to statewide partnerships involving hundreds of businesses in support of major educational and training initiatives

"Education is the number one social issue supported by corporate philanthropy," said Stephen Jordan, CCC executive director. "In this era of scarce resources, our goal is to help business leaders support the development of our education system as effectively as possible."

The Center for Corporate Citizenship is a nonprofit affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce that serves as a resource and voice for businesses and their social, philanthropic and ethical concerns.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation representing more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector and region.

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Corporate Citizenship Center

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Corporate Citizenship Center

U.S. community development. Emerging-market development. Disaster response. Social and environmental innovation – businesses play an important role in all of these issue areas.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Corporate Citizenship Center is recognized in the corporate citizenship field as a source for fresh thinking, exceptional networking and practical lessons learned.

The Foundation works to strengthen collaboration and understanding among companies, corporate foundations, chambers of commerce, NGOs, and governmental offices. As a partnership facilitator, The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Corporate Citizenship Center helps businesses find highly effective ways to invest in local communities, be responsive in times of disasters, and improve lives and livelihoods across the globe.

The Foundations mission is to work with businesses to make the world a better place. Email ccc@uschamber.com to learn more.

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