The US Chamber of Connection

The nation's civic institution dedicated to building and sustaining the core infrastructure needed to address the greatest issue facing society today—our lack of connection.

We must come together, to come together.

The US Chamber of Connection provides the critical infrastructure across the country to activate, measure, and advocate for connection across sectors to address everything from mental and behavioral health to civic engagement to economic mobility.

We coordinate and amplify the incredible programs and leaders in a city so that they can work together to maximize their impact.

We believe

Human connection is foundational for all people and societies to flourish.
In a nation of migrants and immigrants, addressing connection begins with learning how to welcome others.
Our cities have everything they need to close the connection gap, but we must work together to make it happen.
Everyone has something to contribute.

City-Based Approach

Phase One: Welcoming Newcomers
We begin in a city by building the infrastructure to welcome new residents - connecting them to local people, programs, and places.

Phase Two: Civic Leadership
We convene leaders across sectors to measure connection, identify challenges, and create a shared plan to address them.

Phase Three: Scaling Impact Locally
We coordinate local efforts to address the challenges and opportunities that are identified by local leaders.

Impact

We target and measure six key needs for social connection that drive personal and societal well-being.

Having a neighborhood emergency contact
Joining an identity-based community
Connecting with a friend or family member at least twice a week
Finding your third place to be in the community
Joining an activity-based community
Volunteering in the community

Six Points of Connection

We were founded in 2024 by Aaron Hurst

Aaron Hurst is an award-winning and pioneer social entrepreneur and CEO dedicated to leveraging the power of human connection to drive positive societal change. He launched the United States Chamber of Connection to tackle the critical decline in social connection and trust.

As the founder of the Taproot Foundation, which catalyzed the $15 billion pro bono service market in the U.S., Aaron has demonstrated how connection can enhance community resilience and collaboration. Through his venture, Board.Dev, he focuses on strengthening governance by connecting tech executives with nonprofit boards. Imperative, a venture-backed startup he founded, led to the development of employee purpose profiling technology, helping individuals find fulfillment in their work through meaningful connections at over 200 companies. While leading Imperative he partnered with leading universities and companies on the first national and global studies of purpose at work.

A best-selling author, Aaron's book The Purpose Economy catalyzed the focus on purpose in business over the last ten years. He is the recipient of the Ashoka and Draper Richard Kaplan fellowships and recognized multiple times as a Nonprofit Times Top 50 Influencer. He has written for or been featured in media outlets including the New York Times, MIT Management Review, Stanford Social Innovation Review, Newsweek, Bloomberg and Time Magazine. A graduate of the University of Michigan, he resides with his family in Seattle.