Truist Championship Invests $300,000 to Advance Philadelphia Workforce Development through Partnership with The Skills Initiative

PHILADELPHIA - Following overwhelming community support during the Truist Championship this past May, tournament officials are proud to announce a $300,000 investment in The Skills Initiative, the West Philadelphia-based workforce development organization. The funding will expand workforce development programs that provide job training, career coaching and employer partnerships to help connect Philadelphia residents with meaningful employment opportunities.

“Philadelphia gave us incredible support during the tournament, and this investment is our way of giving back to the community that made it possible,” said Joie Chitwood, Executive Director of the 2025 Truist Championship. “We’re proud to partner with The Skills Initiative to help create real opportunities for local residents and strengthen the city’s workforce.”

Founded in 2009 as a subsidiary of University City District, The Skills Initiative connects Philadelphia residents to career-track jobs through tailored training, coaching and strong partnerships with a wide range of local employers. Over 2,000 Philadelphians have graduated from The Skills Initiative since its formation and have earned over $142 million in wages working for local anchor institutions including Penn Medicine, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), and many more.

“Our purpose at Truist is to inspire and build better lives and communities, and we’re proud to see this support of The Skills Initiative,” said Travis Rhodes, Truist regional president of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. “The partnership reflects a shared commitment to expand access to meaningful employment opportunities for Philadelphia residents and supports economic growth in the region.”

Representatives from Truist and The Skills Initiative gathered on Friday, September 5^th at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia to meet Skills Initiative graduates who recently completed training for phlebotomist roles at CHOP to celebrate their success. CHOP CEO Madeline Bell, a former board member at University City District, has been a longtime champion of The Skills Initiative and helped connect the non-profit to the Truist Championship.

Beyond the initial investment, Truist is committed to fostering a deeper relationship with The Skills Initiative through ongoing volunteer efforts. Over the next few years, Truist teammates will be able to participate in various opportunities, including mentoring, career coaching, and leadership training. Through volunteerism, Truist aims to create a long-term partnership that will continuously contribute to workforce development and make a lasting impact on the Philadelphia community.

The success of the Truist Championship this past May enabled the tournament to generate over $2.5 million in charitable impact for local organizations across the Greater Philadelphia region, including the $300,000 investment in The Skills Initiative.

"At The Skills Initiative, we're very excited to partner with an institution that aligns with our core values and our emphasis on personal purpose," stated Cait Garozzo, Executive Director for The Skills Initiative. "This generous gift will cover the cost of 40 future participants who will go through our program seeking to connect to meaningful employment."