Best Buy: National Grant Partnerships

Best Buy’s National Grants Program funds strategic partners who provide curriculum and programming for Best Buy’s new Career Pathways program. Career Pathways is a program that offers teens a bridge to success through mentoring, career readiness preparation, and internships. National nonprofit partners generate interest and awareness in tech-related careers; improve access to training, credentialing, and employment; and support tech career progression. The goal is to help teens obtain the skills and training they need to be prepared for a successful career.

Best Buy is searching for national organizations with a track record in career pathway programming to build tech skill proficiency as well as provide career readiness and employment opportunities of underserved teens. The National Best Buy Teen Tech Center locations across the nation. The program components include: 1) Hard-skills training; 2) Soft-skills training; 3) Work-based learning experiences (e.g., job shadows, career panels); and 4) Internship placement.

Applicants must ensure their program is at a minimum of 9-12 months of programming, which includes skills training and work-based learning experiences as well as internship placement for youth at the end of the program.

Amount: Grants typically range from $100,000-$350,000. The grant period is for up to one year. Organizations demonstrating success are eligible to apply for future funding in subsequent years.

Eligibility:

• National nonprofit organizations with multiple locations nationwide. There should be an ability to conduct programming in at least 1-5 cities across the country. Preferred locations include locations of Best Buy Teen Tech Centers, including but not limited to: Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Jersey City/NYC, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Oakland, San Antonio, San Diego, Seattle, and Washington D.C.
• Nonprofit organizations serving youth ages 16-21 with a proven track record in engaging youth at the local level who have been disconnected from education and careers.
• Providing curriculum and training for Best Buy Teen Tech Center staff to implement career pathway program at the local level.
• Creating a toolkit for the career pathway program that would be able to be implement by Best Buy Teen Tech Center staff.
• Recruit local companies/subject matter experts to provide work-based learning experiences for youth, including internships.
• Attend quarterly national partner calls to exchange best practice, consider collaboration, and share resources.

Link: https://corporate.bestbuy.com/best-buy-giving-partnerships/

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