AT&T Innovation Grant Program

Overview:
The Innovation Grant Program supports local YouthBuild programs' work-based learning initiatives, paid internships, or employment placement offerings. The awards aim to bolster programs' abilities to help students obtain employment while identifying effective practices that can be replicated throughout the entire YouthBuild network.

Eligibility:

• Local YouthBuild programs
• Work-based learning initiatives
• Paid internships or employment placement offerings
• Programs introducing new and creative ideas to improve youth placement and retention in employment

Geographic Scope: United States

Focus Areas:

• Work-based learning initiatives
• Paid internships
• Employment placement
• Alumni development and student placement/tracking technology
• Community college partnerships
• Employer partnership and relationship building
• Mentoring expansion
• 21st century skill development

Target Population: Opportunity youth (16-24 years old, out of school and unemployed)

Funding Source: AT&T's $10 million commitment to create economic opportunities and foster upward mobility for Black and underserved communities

Support Provided:

• Technical assistance from YouthBuild USA Career Pathways team
• Regular meetings with grantee programs
• Three virtual convenings (typically in December, March, and May) to share innovations, emerging best practices, and insights

2020 Award Recipients:

• YouthBuild Lake County (North Chicago, IL) - $25,000 - Alumni development and student placement/tracking technology
• Civic Works YouthBuild (Baltimore, MD) - $11,600 - Alumni development and student placement/tracking technology
• SALS West Virginia Coalfields YouthBuild (Kincaid, WV) - $25,000 - Community college partnerships
• Heart of Oregon YouthBuild (Bend, OR) - $25,000 - Employer partnership and relationship building
• California Heritage YouthBuild (Redding, CA) - $16,870 - Mentoring expansion
• Compton YouthBuild (Compton, CA) - $25,000 - Mentoring expansion
• Housing Authority of the City of Tampa YouthBuild (Tampa, FL) - $22,410 - 21st century skill development
• Project REBUILD (Canton, OH) - $9,120 - 21st century skill development

Application Process

Selection Criteria:

• Introduction of new and creative ideas to improve youth placement and retention in employment
• Demonstration of program innovation
• Potential for replication across YouthBuild network

Post-Award Support:

• Regular meetings with YouthBuild USA Career Pathways team
• Progress monitoring and technical assistance
• Three virtual convenings per year to share best practices and insights

Note: Specific application procedures and deadlines not detailed in available documentation.