Mini Tech Skills Program Overview
The Best Buy Foundation® seeks local or national non-profit organizations to join the Tech Skills Partner program. Tech Skills Partners work with local Best Buy Teen Tech Centers® (BBTTC) and provide STEAM skills workshops and learning opportunities to BBTTC members. These workshops and learning opportunities will increase technical skill proficiency and/or provide career exploration opportunities that are suitable for youth ages 13-19. Eligible programs and opportunities will be included in a menu of offerings that BBTTC staff can request for their youth members.
Mini Tech Skills Workshops are supplemental STEAM skills programs of varying lengths delivered as workshops, weekly sessions or immersive camps. Workshops are generally facilitated by the Tech Skills Partner organization and hosted on-site at the BBTTC site. Offsite programs (such as filmmaking workshops that take place on location at a film set) and virtual programs are also permitted to apply. The maximum grant award is $24,999 per Teen Tech Center site.
Some of the most highly requested workshop topics include:
- Coding
- Filmmaking
- Game Design
- Music Production
- Photography
- Robotics
While hands-on, external facilitator led workshops are preferred, organizations that provide other ad-hoc programming opportunities will also be considered. Some examples of ad-hoc programming may include:
- Curriculum and resource material.
- Paid Apprenticeships.
- Other opportunities to be considered on case-by-case basis.
Prospective organizations should have a demonstrated track record of asset-based programming that amplifies the strengths of young people from underserved communities and experience engaging teens (ages 13-19) in out-of-school time settings.
Eligibility
- 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations with a proven track record of serving youth ages 13-19 in and out of school context and informational learning spaces.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively with youth from a variety of backgrounds.
About Best Buy Teen Tech Centers
At a Best Buy Teen Tech Center, teens can develop critical skills through hands-on activities exploring their interests through project-based learning. Each location works to bridge the digital divide by giving young people access to tech education and mentor guidance while building the confidence they will need to be successful in school and in their future careers. Young people can leverage technology to develop projects based on their own interests such as: creating art, producing music and developing animations; designing their own science simulations and mobile applications; writing and illustrating interactive poetry, stories and films; building kinetic sculptures and robotic constructions; starting their own businesses; and designing their own 3D worlds and games. In the process, youth become excited about new technologies, develop skills and experiences to help them succeed in their careers, contribute to their communities and lead outstanding lives.
The Best Buy Canada and the Best Buy Foundation is seeking a great nonprofit organizational host partner for a Best Buy Teen Tech Centre in Toronto, Ontario.
Best Buy Teen Tech Centres are youth-led, project-based safe places for youth from disinvested communities to experience technology, work with peers and mentors, and develop the skills needed for future career or college pursuits. For the last decade, Best Buy has expanded across North America to bring opportunity to youth from disinvested communities through excellent organizational host partners. This opportunity includes grant funding for construction, furniture, technology, and staffing. Continued annual funding and substantial additional support is intended for organizations in good standing. For more information, please visit our site: Teen Tech Centres | Best Buy Foundation™
The Best Buy Teen Tech Center® Program Grant covers yearly staffing salaries and benefits, staff development, and program-related expenses at a Best Buy Teen Tech Center (BBTTC). The Program Grant funds salary and benefits for the required full-time BBTTC Coordinator, a full-time staff member designated for sites participating in the BBTTC Pathways Program (Pathways Facilitator) and can support a portion of an optional additional BBTTC staff.
For 501c3 nonprofits:
Please search for your organization using your tax ID.
For government entities or organizations without 501c3 status:
Your will not be able to search for your organization. Instead, select "Skip and continue to application." In the application, you will be able to select your Teen Tech Center site.