New London Area Chamber Foundation

Introducing the New London Area Chamber Foundation

Strengthening Our Future Through Purposeful Growth

The New London Area Chamber of Commerce has always been dedicated to promoting economic prosperity, supporting businesses, and enhancing the quality of life in our community. In 2025, we proudly took the next step in advancing that mission with the formation of the New London Area Chamber Foundation — a new and exciting way to champion projects that drive economic development and enrich our region.

Why the Foundation Was Formed

As our community grows and evolves, so do the opportunities — and challenges — that come with it. To secure a vibrant future for New London, we recognized the need for a dedicated organization that could:

• Pursue grants and funding opportunities beyond the reach of a traditional Chamber structure
• Support projects that build infrastructure, promote tourism, and attract new businesses
• Enhance workforce development initiatives, community amenities, and downtown revitalization efforts
• Engage in charitable activities that align with economic and community development goals

Thus, the New London Area Chamber Foundation was born — a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization focused on creating real, lasting impact.

What the Foundation Supports

The Foundation acts as a catalyst for projects that spark economic vitality and community pride. Its initiatives include:

• Business Retention and Recruitment: Helping existing businesses expand and bringing new enterprises into the area
• Downtown Development: Supporting revitalization projects that create a welcoming, vibrant downtown experience
• Tourism Growth: Funding marketing, events, and attractions that draw visitors and boost local commerce
• Workforce Readiness: Partnering with schools and businesses to prepare the next generation of skilled workers
• Quality of Life Improvements: Championing projects that make New London an even better place to live, work, and play

By investing in these areas, the Foundation fuels a cycle of growth that benefits everyone — from small businesses to large employers, from students to retirees.

How It All Works

Through strategic partnerships, community support, and a commitment to excellence, the Foundation actively seeks grants, sponsorships, and donations to fund transformative projects. Every dollar invested through the Foundation helps create opportunities that position New London as a model of rural success and sustainability.

A Collective Mission

The creation of the New London Area Chamber Foundation marks a new chapter — one rooted in collaboration, innovation, and a deep love for our community.

It’s about investing in today to create the New London of tomorrow — a place where businesses thrive, families flourish, and dreams take root.

Together, through the Chamber Foundation, we’re building a stronger, brighter future for New London.

Building a Stronger Future: A Unified Effort in New London, WI

A Vision for Collaboration

In New London, Wisconsin, community has always been at the heart of everything we do. Recognizing the power of partnership, three pillars of our community — the City of New London, the School District of New London, and the New London Area Chamber of Commerce — came together with a shared vision: to strengthen our community’s future through collaboration, strategic investment, and collective growth.

The Power of Partnership

Each of these organizations plays a vital role in making New London a thriving place to live, learn, and do business. However, we recognized that working independently sometimes limits the impact we can make. By joining forces, we can dream bigger, reach further, and build stronger.

Together, we identified a crucial opportunity: securing more resources to support economic development, education, tourism, and community enrichment. This opportunity led to the creation of a unified solution — hiring a grant writer who would work on behalf of all three organizations.

Hiring a Community Grant Writer

In 2025, the City of New London, the School District of New London, and the New London Area Chamber of Commerce took a bold step forward by hiring a dedicated Community Grant Writer. This new role is designed to:

• Support Economic Development: Attract new funding to grow businesses, support infrastructure improvements, and boost tourism initiatives.
• Advance Educational Opportunities: Secure grants to enhance programs, technology, facilities, and support services in our local schools.
• Strengthen Community Engagement: Fund projects that improve quality of life, create vibrant spaces, and offer new experiences for residents and visitors alike.

By working together, the grant writer will help ensure that our community has access to critical funding opportunities that might otherwise be missed.

A Commitment to Growth and Prosperity

This partnership is more than just a shared position — it’s a statement of commitment. It’s about:

• Working smarter by pooling resources and aligning goals.
• Strengthening connections between our government, education system, and business community.
• Investing in a shared future where all residents of New London benefit from increased opportunities and enriched experiences.

This collaboration embodies what makes New London special — a deep-rooted belief that together, we are stronger.

Watching the Impact Unfold

We are thrilled to welcome Payton Lehnherr as our new Community Grant Writer. With her skills and passion, we are confident that we will see exciting new projects, increased funding, and a lasting impact that will benefit New London for generations to come.

We look forward to watching the results of this collaboration unfold and invite our entire community to be part of the journey. Read more details about Payton here.