Somos Mission

The mission of the Somos Foundation is to provide financial support through scholarships for post-secondary education, mentoring workshops, and networking resources to Utah Latino students and adults who have demonstrated a strong commitment to education and our community. In turn, the students will contribute to the economic development and well-being of all communities in Utah. The Utah Hispanic Business Leadership Foundation, d.b.a. Somos Foundation, is  a501 (c) (3) non-profit governed by a Board of Directors selected from local business, education and community leaders. The Somos Foundation is in partnership with the Utah Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in this endeavor.

Background

The Utah Hispanic Business Leadership Foundation was established in 2002 by seven Board Members of the Utah Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in an effort to create a sustainable financial/scholarship resources for Utah Latino students and adults who have demonstrated a strong commitment to education and the Latino community. The founding members realized an education/mentoring investment in Utah’s Latino community was the key to opening opportunities for Latinos to participate in the American Dream of social justice.

The long range goal of the Somos Foundation is to develop and sustain a cadre of skilled, educated and diverse business leaders to assist in the future social and economic development of the Utah Latino community.


The Foundation will seek to accomplish this mission by:

Improving business education, scholarship, recruiting and training opportunities for Latino students and professionals.
Initiating or supporting leadership development programs for Hispanics in collaboration with private and public sector organizations.
Facilitating entrepreneurial and small business growth opportunities for Latinos in Utah.
Providing recruiting, retention and promotion assistance for Latinos with corporate human resource programs.
Promoting throughout communities in Utah a better understanding and appreciation of the value added to communities by Latino businesspersons and their concerns.
Encouraging the development of corporate and education policies that promote ethnic diversity and business opportunities for Latinos in the community and in the workplace.
Facilitating Latino economic and community development by enhancing programs and services designed to diversify and grow Latino-owned businesses in Utah.

Collaborating with programs of a civic, social and cultural nature that help improve and promote recognition of the functional and aesthetic values of the Latino community.

Gala

The Utah Hispanic Business Leadership Foundation (SOMOS) and the Utah Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (UHCC) have worked together during the past seven years to provide the means for education for many students across our great State. Last year alone, this effort helped raise over $200,000 which benefited more than forty well deserving young men and women.

This year, we look forward to helping even more scholars accomplish their academic goals! Would you be willing to contribute to this effort and make our students dreams of pursuing a higher education come true? The time to get involved is now; scholarships will be awarded during our 2011 Scholarship Gala scheduled for Friday, November 18th, 2011, at the Grand America Hotel.

The success of this event is only possible with the support of people like you, without your involvement, we would be unable to continue providing quality educational opportunities for students in need.

There are many ways to help:

Silent Auction
We encourage you to donate an item from your prestigious establishment for our Silent Auction; this is a great way to promote your business to a very selective group of people and assist those students in need. The Silent Auction takes place during the event. We can arrange to pick up your donation or you can send it to: Utah Hispanic Chamber of Commerce 1635 S. Redwood Rd. SLC UT 84104.

Scholarship fund
Every dollar counts, cumulative monetary contributions make a great difference and truly represent more scholarship opportunities for our students. The Utah Hispanic Business Leadership Foundation, d.b.a. SOMOS Foundation is a 501 (c) 3 organization; donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. You can send a check to: Utah Hispanic Leadership Foundation (SOMOS), 1635 S. Redwood Rd. SLC, UT 84104 or make your donation via phone at 801-532-3308.

Feel free to contact us at (801) 532-3308 or gala@utahhcc.com with questions about the event and our fund-raising efforts.

Thank you in advance for your thoughtfulness and kind generosity.