Best Buy Foundation seeks nonprofit partners that provide programming outside of school time that generates interest and awareness in tech-related careers, improves access to training, credentialing and employment and supports tech career progression.
Donor Name: Best Buy Foundation
State: Minnesota
County: Anoka County (MN), Carver County (MN), Dakota County (MN), Hennepin County (MN), Ramsey County (MN), Scott County (MN), Washington County (MN)
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 04/01/2024
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: 1 Year
Details:
The Career Pathway program grant supports organizations that provide tech skills and workforce readiness to help teens achieve a degree or credential, achieve self-supporting wages or have opportunities for further education and career advancement.
The goal of the grant is to help teens from disinvested communities obtain the tech skills and training they need to be prepared for a successful career. The primary responsibilities of the nonprofit organization include:
- Working with schools and other community-based organizations to build awareness of the program to drive youth participation.
- Ensuring access to teens from disinvested communities to programs outside of school time
- When possible, enabling participation of Best Buy employees to serve as volunteers.
- Developing financial and community support to help sustain the program beyond the grant funding from Best Buy.
- Completing an online impact report for program evaluation purposes. Components include program length, progress made towards goals, number of program participants and demographics, Best Buy volunteer engagement, community collaboration, technology and work life skills gained, organizational change, and teen engagement.
Grant Information
- Grant Awards Program grants (no general operating) typically range from $5,000 to $50,000.
- The median award for Career Pathways is $30,000.
Grant Period
Up to one year of funding.
Eligibility Criteria
The Best Buy Foundation invites nonprofits that have a fundamental commitment to youth, ages 13- 21, to apply for funding. Minimum eligibility criteria include:
- 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations with a proven track record of serving youth ages 13-21 from disinvested communities.
- Demonstrated track record in engaging youth at the local level who have been disconnected from education and careers.
- Programming must be within the Twin Cities seven-county metro area.
- Commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Preferred programs will have some of the following components:
- Program serves youth ages 16-21 with rigorous tech-related curriculum, mentorship, and soft-/hard-skills training.
- Align training with labor market needs to ensure youth gain relevant skills and engage youth in work-based learning opportunities (e.g. internships, apprenticeships).
- Pathways from high school to post-secondary/tech-related credentialing programs.
- Opportunities for dual enrollment/college credits for teens from disinvested communities completing high school.
- General career-readiness training such as resume prep, mock interviews, job shadows, etc.
- Use technology to develop skills in a wide range of areas: 3D design, graphic design/photography, coding/programming, digital music/audio production, game design, mobile apps, multi-media production, robotics, video/film production, etc.
- Wraparound supports such as food access, housing, transportation, health services, etc.
- Success metrics include developing skills for tech-reliant jobs, achieving a degree or credential with real value in the current labor market, gaining employment with self supporting wages and/or having opportunities for further education and career advancement.
For more information, visit Best Buy Foundation.
