Good News for nonprofits working with youth and technology, the Best Buy Foundation has announced a grant for up to $200,000 to help you fulfill your mission. For decades people have turned to Best Buy for answers to their technology questions. As a company, we aim to ignite human potential. To support these efforts, the Best Buy Foundation provides underserved teens with access to technology to build 21st century skills and bridge the digital divide. As technology becomes more ingrained in our society, it is critical for youth to develop the necessary skills for future college and career success. Sixty percent of the jobs that will be available in 10 years don’t even exist today.
Best Buy seeks nonprofit partners that create hands-on learning opportunities for underserved teens to engage them in learning, experimenting, and interacting with the latest technologies to build 21st century skills.
Grant Overview
Best Buy is searching for national organizations with a demonstrated track record for building skill proficiency in technology through out-of-school time programs.
The primary responsibilities of the nonprofit organization include:
- Working with schools and other community-based organizations to build awareness of the program to drive teen participation.
- Ensuring access to youth from underserved communities.
- Enabling participation of Best Buy employees to serve as volunteers.
- Supporting teen outreach, learning & curriculum development (in area of expertise) for Best Buy’s signature programs – Geek Squad Academy and Teen Tech Centers (if appropriate).
- Developing financial and community support to help sustain the program beyond the grant funding from Best Buy.
- Submitting reports (mid-year and annual) on program components such as progress to-date on recruitment, program activities, desired outcomes, challenges, successes, and participant survey results.
Eligibility Criteria
Best Buy invites out-of-school time programs that have a fundamental commitment to youth, ages 13-18, to apply for funding. Minimum eligibility criteria include:
- Available to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations with existing out-of-school time program with a proven track record of serving youth ages 13-18.
- Program located within a nonprofit organization targeting teens in underserved communities.
- Program must operate within 25 miles of a Best Buy store or other Best Buy center of operations (e.g., warehouse, corporate headquarters, etc.) to allow for Best Buy employee volunteer participation. To find store locations, visitbestbuy.com and click on “Stores.”
- Willingness to participate in meetings with other Best Buy national partners and signature programs , such as Geek Squad Academy and Teen Tech Centers, to share best practice and potentially collaborate in combined programming efforts (if appropriate).
- Commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Willingness to integrate Geek Squad Academy curriculum into existing programming (if appropriate).
- Opportunities for local Best Buy employees to participate in the program as volunteers.
- Ability to conduct programming in multiple targeted sites across the country. Preferred locations include the locations of our Best Buy Teen Tech Centers, including but not limited to: Chicago, Denver, NYC/Jersey City, Miami, Minneapolis/St. Paul, San Antonio, Seattle and Washington D.C.
Proposal Due Date: Proposal must be submitted no later than 5 p.m. EDT on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2015! Click here to apply and we wish you the best of luck.
