Twin Cities Fund: Teens and Tech Program Grant

The Twin Cities Fund: Teens and Tech Program Grant, offered by the Best Buy Foundation, supports nonprofit organizations in Minnesota's Twin Cities area. This initiative encourages teens to learn and collaborate with cutting-edge technologies, including robotics, digital photography, and game development. By providing access to these resources, the grant helps young people develop essential skills for their future careers and empowers them to contribute positively to their communities.

As a worldwide company headquartered in Minnesota, the Best Buy Foundation considers proposals from nonprofit organizations that serve the seven-county Twin Cities metro area, providing access to opportunities for teens through technology, and Arts and Culture organizations that add to the vibrancy of the Twin Cities area.
The Teens and Tech program grant supports organizations that encourage teens to learn, experiment and collaborate with the latest technologies, developing skills and experiences to help them succeed in their careers, contribute to their communities and lead outstanding lives.
Technologies include computing, robotics (robotics club funding is done through Best Buy Community Grants program), 3-D printing, digital photography, filmmaking and videography, graphic design, audio production, game development, programming and app development.

Application Details

Introduction
The Best Buy Foundation® is on a mission to build brighter futures through technology.
Every teen has dreams. The Best Buy Foundation® is working to ensure they have the opportunity to
achieve them. By partnering with nonprofit organizations that share our focus on supporting young
able to prepare the next generation for the tech-reliant jobs of the future.
transforms teens from consumers to creators – a new generation of engineers, entrepreneurs, teachers,
designers and dreamers.
Grant Opportunity
The Best Buy Foundation Twin Cities Fund provides program grants to organizations serving teens
through out of school time technical education and career training. Funding is available in two areas of
focus: Teens & Tech grants encourage technological exploration for teens and young people; Career
Pathways grants focused on career development, including and especially in fields related to
technology.
Teens & Tech Grant
The Teens & Tech program grant supports organizations with programs that encourage teens ages
13-18 to learn, experiment and collaborate with the latest technologies and develop skills and
experiences to help them succeed in future careers.
The goal of the Twin Cities Fund Teens & Tech grant program is to expose teens from underserved
communities to hands-on learning opportunities that encourage technological exploration.

Programs should support teens in building tech skills by utilizing cutting-edge technology such as
computers, digital cameras, video cameras and professional software in a wide range of areas
including, but not limited to:

• • Audio production (including music mixing & recording)
• • Website development
• • Computer maintenance and repair
• • UX/UI (user experience/user interface)
• • Digital arts, such as graphic design and photography
• • Cybersecurity
• • Mobile & game app development
• • 3D Animation
• • Programing & coding
• • Virtual Reality/Augmented Reality
• • Robotics
• • Green technology
• Eligibility Criteria
• Organizations must meet the following criteria to be eligible for Teens & Tech program support:
• • Qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit or tax-exempt public charity with a valid IRS Tax ID.
• • Organization is based in and provides program offerings within the Twin Cities seven-county
• metro area.
• • Program requested serves teens ages 13-18 from underserved communities within the Twin
• Cities seven-county metro.
• • Program requested must be delivered outside of school time.
• • Organization has a demonstrated track record of engaging youth at the local level who have
• been disconnected from education and careers.
• • Organization has conducted programming for at least two years.
• • Request amount must not exceed 49% of the program budget.
• Career Pathways Grant
• The Career Pathways Grant supports organizations with programs that offer outside of school time
• programming for teens ages 13-21 from underserved communities that generates interest and
• awareness in tech-related careers, improves access to training, credentialing and employment and
• supports tech career progression.

The goal of the Career Pathways Grant is to support teens from underserved communities in
obtaining tech skills training and career development needed to be prepared for a successful career.
Programs should incorporate technology and/or tech-related curriculum to support teens in
developing skills and interest in a wide range of areas including, but not limited to:

• • Audio production (including music mixing & recording)
• • Website development
• • Computer maintenance and repair
• • UX/UI (user experience/user interface)
• • Digital arts, such as graphic design and photography
• • Cybersecurity
• • Mobile & game app development
• • 3D animation and design
• • Multi-media production
• • Programing & coding
• • Video/film production
• • Virtual Reality/Augmented Reality
• • Robotics
• • Green technology
• Eligibility Criteria:
• Organizations must meet the following criteria to be eligible for Career Pathways program support:
• • Qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit or tax-exempt public charity with a valid IRS Tax ID.
• • Organization is based in and provides program offerings within the Twin Cities seven-county
• metro area.
• • Program requested serves teens ages 13-21 from underserved communities within the Twin
• Cities seven-county metro.
• • Program requested must be delivered outside of school time.
• • Organization has a demonstrated track record of engaging youth at the local level who have
• been disconnected from education and careers.
• • Organization has conducted programming for at least two years.
• • Request amount must not exceed 49% of the program budget.

Programs of interest:

• Career Pathways programs of interest will have some of the following components:
• • Program serves youth ages 16-21 with tech-related curriculum, mentorship and soft-/hard-
• skills training.
• • Align training with labor market needs to ensure youth gain relevant skills.
• • 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/high school and/or college credits, paid education
• opportunities, etc. for teens from undeserved 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, mental 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.
• Application Process
• Preparing to apply: All application materials must be submitted online.
• New applicants should create an account after checking eligibility at the following link:
• https://bby.me/tc-quiz
• Returning users may log into their organization’s existing account in the online application portal:
• https://bby.me/tt-cp
• Registering with CyberGrants: If you are registering for the first time, you may create credentials

through the Standard Login option (recommended) or CyberGrants FrontDoor. You will need to select
this option every time you log into the system. For organizations registering with FrontDoor, the
verification process takes 5-7 business days, after which you will be able to enter the system to complete
the grant application. For more information on FrontDoor, visit the CyberGrants website.
Applicants who have previously applied for funding from Best Buy Foundation may select the standard
login option and use their existing credentials.

For account support, use the “Need Support?” option at the bottom of the login page.
Application Details
If your program requires additional technology to run efficiently, please outline the needs in your
application.
IMPORTANT: It is neither required nor expected that you purchase technology or services from Best
Buy. Please include a list of technology to be purchased in your budget details. You should not specify
where you intend to purchase these items.
Grant Reporting
Grant recipients for both Teens & Tech and Career Pathways grants will be eligible to apply the following
year for funding based on demonstrated success and completion of an online impact report for program
evaluation purposes. Components include program length, progress made towards goals, number of
program participants, Best Buy volunteer engagement (if applicable), community collaboration,
technology and work life skills gained, organizational change and teen engagement.
Required Elements of the Proposal:

• Be sure to address each requirement below in the section that corresponds to the online application.
• The grant will support the operation of the program for one year from date of implementation.
• Organization Information: Proposal contact and organization information, name and logo use.
• Request Details, Objectives and Impact: Program title, grant amount requested and request
• summary, program requested and curriculum (if applicable), goals and objectives, technical skill
• focus area, technology and work/life skills, teen outreach and engagement, program impact and
• duration, logistical opportunities and challenges, and volunteer opportunities.
• Program Details and Youth Participation: Program youth served, gender, and age.
• Finances: Organization budget, program budget, additional funding sources and funding
• sustainability.
• Organization Leadership and Policies: Board members list and non-discrimination policy.
• Authorization: Non-discrimination Policy.

Review Process
Foundation staff will review proposals to determine eligibility. Applicants will be notified by
email if their proposal is deemed ineligible. The Twin Cities Fund Committee and Foundation
staff will review proposals according to program criteria listed in these guidelines. The review
committee may choose to conduct a site visit or conference call as part of the selection
process. Reviews will not be open to the public. However, applicants may request feedback
once funding decisions have been announced by emailing info@bestbuyfoundation.org.
The Twin Cities Fund Committee is comprised of local Best Buy employees from across the
enterprise.
Proposal Deadlines and Administrative Information
Grant Awards Program grants (no general operating) typically range from
$5,000 to $50,000.
The median award for Teens & Tech is $25,000.
The median award for Career Pathways is $30,000.
Grant Period Up to one year of funding. Organizations demonstrating
success are eligible to apply for future funding in subsequent
years.
Applications must be submitted through the online
application portal.
5:00 PM CST.
Application Link https://bby.me/tt-cp
Proposal Requirements Proposals must be submitted electronically.
and Information
Notification Date No later than July 31, 2025.
Additional Information https://www.bestbuyfoundation.org/grants
Program Contact info@bestbuyfoundation.org
CyberGrants Support Use the “Need Support?” link at the bottom of the login page.

Sample Application
NOTE: All applications must be submitted through the CyberGrants portal at https://bby.me/tt-cp
Organization Information
Instructions:

• *IRS Letter of Determination
• Please upload the organization's IRS 501 (c)(3)
• (File Upload) File Upload; 5242880-byte limit
• tax designation.
• *Organization Mission Statement
• (Long Paragraph) (2000 character maximum)
• Instructions:
• *Organization Budget
• (Currency) (20 character maximum)
• Annual budget for the organization.
• Request Details
• Instructions:
• Please select the program type that best aligns
• with your request.
• You may only apply to one program.
• *Grant Program Selection
• Career Pathways: Programs that generate
• (Single-Select List)
• interest or awareness in tech-related careers,
• improve access to training, credentialing and
• • Teens & Tech
• employment and support tech career
• • Career Pathways
• progression. Our goal is to help teens from
• underserved communities obtain the tech skills
• and training they need to be prepared for a
• successful career.
• Teens & Tech: Programs that encourage teens
• to learn, experiment and collaborate with the

experiences to help them succeed in future
careers.
(Currency) (20 character maximum)
Instructions:

• *Request Summary
• Please provide a brief summary or abstract of
• (Paragraph) (500 character maximum)
• your grant request.
• Objectives and Impact
• Instructions:
• Please briefly describe the program in which
• *Program Requested
• you seek funding. Include the specific activities
• (Long Paragraph) (4000 character maximum)
• to be funded and provide a brief program
• curriculum summary, if applicable.
• Instructions:
• *Goals and Objectives
• What are your goals and objectives for this
• (Long Paragraph) (4000 character maximum)
• program? Please also describe how you will use
• the funds from this grant.
• Instructions:
• What is the technical skill topic or focus area of
• Technical Skills Topic or Focus Area your program? For example, Coding,

Entrepreneurship, Python Programming,
Filmmaking, etc.
Instructions:

• *Technology Skills
• (Paragraph) (4000 character maximum) Please describe the technology skills and
• knowledge youth gain from your program. Be

sure to include any educational and career
opportunities, if applicable.
• How to balance their needs with the
Instructions:

• needs of others
• What types of life or work skills do youth gain
• How to give and/or receive feedback from your program? (Select all that apply)

• Something else (please describe)
Instructions:

• Other Work Life Skills
• Please describe other life or work skills youth
• (Paragraph) (4000 character maximum)
• gain from your program.
• Instructions:
• *Impact
• What are your success metrics and how will you
• (Paragraph) (2000 character maximum)
• measure the impact of this program?

Instructions:

• How does your organization ensure access to
• participation by teens from underserved
• *Outreach and Teen Engagement
• communities? Include engagement and
• outreach activities, collaborations, engagement
• of teens in program design and evaluation, etc.
• Instructions:
• Is there anything important that we should be
• *Logistical Opportunities and Challenges
• aware of about the logistical aspects of your
• (Long Paragraph) (4000 character maximum)
• program? Please describe any notable logistical
• challenges and opportunities.
• Instructions:
• *Volunteer Opportunities
• Do you have in-person or virtual volunteer
• (Yes/No)
• opportunities?
• Instructions:
• Volunteer Opportunities
• Please describe in-person and/or virtual
• (Paragraph) (2000 character maximum)
• volunteer opportunities.
• Instructions:
• Best Buy volunteers
• Have any Best Buy employees volunteered at
• (User-Defined List)

your organization? If so, list the names below.
Instructions:

• Please use this space to add any additional
• Optional: Additional Information
• information that was not included above that
• (Long Paragraph) (5000 character maximum)
• you feel is important to this request. This is not
• required.
• Optional: Additional Information Upload
• Instructions:
• (File Upload) File Upload; 524288-byte limit

you would like to share regarding your
programming.
Program Details and Youth Participation
Instructions:

• *Youth Served
• Approximately how many youth does this
• (Number) (15 character maximum)
• program serve?
• *Age
• (Percentage List)
• Instructions:
• • 12 and under Approximately what percentage of youth in this
• program fall into each of the following age
• • 13-15
• groups? Note: Your responses below should
• • 16-18
• total 100%.
• • 19-21
• • 22 or older
• *Program start date
• (Date)
• *Program end date
• (Date)
• *Program Weeks
• (Single-Select List)
• • 1 week or less
• • 2 weeks - 1 month Instructions:
• For how many weeks does your program run?
• • 2 - 3 months (e.g., 5–15 weeks)
• • 4 – 5 months (e.g., 16–24 weeks)
• • 6 – 8 months (e.g., 25–36 weeks)
• • 9 or more months (37 or more weeks)

(Single-Select List)

• Less than 1 hour a week Instructions:
• On average, how many hours per week does
• • 1 hour a week
• each teen participate in the program?
• • 2 hours a week
• • 3 – 4 hours a week
• • 5 or more hours a week
• Finances
• Instructions:
• Please upload the organization's budget.
• *Organization Budget Upload
• (File Upload) File Upload; 20971520-byte limit
• If needed, please click the link below to
• download an organization budget

template. Organization Budget Template.
Instructions:

• *Program Budget
• (Currency) (20 character maximum)
• What is the budget for this program?
• Instructions:
• Please upload the completed Program Budget.
• *Program Budget Upload
• (File Upload) File Upload; 20971520-byte limit
• If needed, please click the link below to
• download a program budget template.
• Program Budget Template
• Instructions:
• Program budget description
• Provide a brief narrative description of the
• (Paragraph) (2000 character maximum)
• program's budget.
• Instructions:
• *Additional Funding
• (Paragraph) (2000 character maximum) List names of corporations and foundations
• from which funding has been requested.

Status
Instructions:

• *Funding Principle
• What is the plan to sustain this program going
• (Paragraph) (2000 character maximum)
• forward? What are your long-term funding
• strategies?
• Organization Leadership and Policies
• Instructions:
• *Current Board Members
• (File Upload) File Upload; 20971520-byte limit
• Attach a list of current board members.
• Instructions:
• Is there currently a Best Buy employee serving
• on the board of this organization? If yes, list the
• Best Buy Board Members
• names of any Best Buy employees who have
• (User-Defined List)
• served on the Board of Directors over the past 12
• months. Include board tenure and special roles
• held. (ex: Jim Smith, 3 years on Board, Director.
• *If none, please enter N/A.)
• Does your organization have a Non-

Discrimination Policy? Instructions:

• (Yes/No)
• Instructions:
• Non-Discrimination Policy
• Please upload your organization’s current Non-
• (File Upload) File Upload; 20971520-byte limit
• Discrimination Policy.