Founded in 1996, the Western Mass Economic Development Council collaborates with business leaders and key regional stakeholders to develop and execute the vision, strategies, and tactics that stimulate and facilitate a vigorous regional economy, encouraging and sustaining capital investment and quality job growth for Western Massachusetts. The EDC is committed to positive economic development in the region, which will further improve the quality of life for surrounding communities and their constituents.

The Business Council of New York State, Inc., is the leading business organization in New York State, representing the interests of large and small firms throughout the state. Its membership is made up of thousands of member companies, as well as local chambers of commerce and professional and trade associations. Though 85 percent of our members are small businesses, we also represent some of the largest and most important corporations in the world, including IBM, Verizon, Eastman Kodak, Citigroup, JP Morgan Chase, Corning, Pfizer and many more. All told, our members employ more than 1.2 million New Yorkers. The primary function of the organization is to serve as an advocate for employers in the state political and policy-making arena, working for a healthier business climate, economic growth, and jobs. We also help our members cut costs and provide important benefits to their employees, with group insurance programs that are known for competitive costs and high-quality service. And we serve as an information resource center for our members, providing an array of news and update services, seminars, networking, and individualized regulatory and legislative assistance to members who need it.

The New York State Dental Association (NYSDA) has been the voice for the dental profession in New York State since its founding in 1868. With almost 12,000 members, NYSDA is one of the largest state constituents of the American Dental Association. NYSDA provides its members with a powerful presence in the Legislature, business development programs, peer review, a clinical journal and educational and scientific programs that promote the art and science of dentistry. Members of organized dentistry in New York State belong to a tripartite association that includes NYSDA, a local component society and the American Dental Association. NYSDA is headquartered in Albany, New York. Its staff develops and carries out programs for the profession and the public and responds to member inquiries.

The Workforce Development Institute (WDI) is a statewide non-profit that works to increase opportunities for all New Yorkers to succeed in the workforce while earning family-sustaining wages. We use a range of tools including “boots on the ground” information, workforce expertise, data analysis, and flexible funding to facilitate projects that help labor unions, employers, educational institutions, and other workforce partners think and act differently regarding hiring, training, educating, and retaining an inclusive and productive workforce.

Our Mission The Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford protects and enhances the well-being of Jews worldwide through the values of tikkun olam (repairing the world), tzedakah (charity and social justice) and Torah (Jewish learning). Our Actions Federation donors, volunteers and staff are: Repairing the world. You’ll find us raising fresh produce for the hungry at Jessie’s Community Gardens, reading with at-risk students through Children's Reading Partners, and visiting homebound Jewish seniors to build friendships and reduce isolation. Educating Jewish children. We fund free Jewish books and music for more than 1,000 local children through the PJ Library initiative, managed by our friends at the Mandell JCC. We offer professional development workshops and grants to local Jewish educators. And we provide vital financial support to local Jewish day schools and youth programs. Advocating for Israel. Federation offers year-round educational and social programs to help you learn more about Israel, explore different perspectives on Israel, and advocate effectively for Israel. Developing Jewish leaders. Our Federation developed and manages the Greater Hartford Jewish Leadership Academy, which supports existing community leaders and helps rising leaders build the skills required to lead our community in the 21st century and beyond. Federation itself also offers a variety of leadership opportunities. Our Annual Campaign Federation’s Annual Campaign raises $4.3 million annually to support programs and services for nearly 15,000 local Jewish households in Greater Hartford. The Annual Campaign also supports our Jewish brothers and sisters overseas - more than 1.6 million people in 60 countries - who often suffer from religious intolerance and a lack of economic opportunity.

For more than 50 years The Rensselaerville Institute has helped schools and communities improve. We develop the leaders + innovators who already exist in schools and neighborhoods to achieve outcomes for children that are locally owned. Our mission is to increase life chances for children. We do this by: -Helping school districts and communities create systems that achieve results. -Partnering on the ground with our proven interventions: School Turnaround and Community Sparkplugs. -Building behaviors in philanthropy, government and other organizations that support outcomes. Our partnerships bet on local people to make local change happen for young people.

The Capital Region Chamber is the hub of business in New York’s Capital Region. Our goal is economic prosperity – for our business members and our community. The Chamber helps build a strong community by connecting our members to people, business and issues important to business success. Through the Chamber, you and your business are engaged in initiatives that move us toward a successful future. We represent 2,800 businesses and organizations from throughout the Capital Region – Albany, Saratoga, Schenectady and Rensselaer Counties and beyond – that employ more than 160,000 area residents. We provide leadership and resources to grow member businesses and our regional economy. The Capital Region Chamber enables for-profit and nonprofit businesses of all types and sizes to accomplish more together than may have been possible on their own.

The Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy is a statewide, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to shape public policies that improve health, welfare, and human services of all New Yorkers, especially children and families who are impacted by poverty. We are committed to advancing policies that address systemic racism and its link to inequities in New York State.

Free Press fights for your rights to connect and communicate. We're working to create a world where people have the information and opportunities they need to tell their own stories, hold leaders accountable, and participate in policymaking. We fight to save the free and open Internet, curb runaway media consolidation, protect press freedom, and ensure diverse voices are represented in our media.

The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts was founded in 1991 to serve the needs of the Pioneer Valley. Encompassing 69 cities and towns in the Connecticut River Valley (Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin Counties), the Foundation provides a vehicle for residents to focus their philanthropy on this beautiful and increasingly diverse region. The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts seeks to enrich the quality of life of the people of Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin Counties by: • Encouraging philanthropy. • Developing a permanent, flexible endowment. • Assessing and responding to emerging and changing needs. • Providing a vehicle for donors with varied interests and at various levels of giving. • Serving as a resource, catalyst and coordinator for charitable activities. • Promoting efficiency in the management of charitable funds.

The mission of the New York State Restaurant Association is to help restaurateurs succeed. It is the first place restaurant owners and managers turn to gain a competitive edge by taking advantage of advocacy, education, and cost saving benefits. The NYS Restaurant Association is here to help with all your needs. From opening a new restaurant, to making an existing restaurant more successful, the Association is the best resource for your business!

Fighting for the legal rights of Connecticut's most vulnerable children. The Center for Children's Advocacy is a nonprofit law firm that provides legal representation and advocacy for the poorest, most at-risk children and youth. The work is difficult and it is critical: abuse and neglect, racial justice, educational inequities, immigration, youth homelessness, juvenile justice, access to medical and mental health care. We have offices in Connecticut's largest and poorest cities, and our mobile office goes directly to youth in communities that need us the most. The Center provides legal representation and advocacy that gives at-risk children the opportunity every child should have: a chance to lead a healthy and productive life.