Teen Tech Center Grants

The Best Buy Foundation is inviting proposals for a new Teen Tech Centre to be located in Toronto, Ontario. Since its inception in 2012, the Foundation has established over 60 Teen Tech Centres across North America with the mission of empowering teens through hands-on, tech-driven learning. These centres are designed to serve youth, particularly those from communities experiencing concentrated poverty, by providing access to advanced technology and mentorship opportunities that help develop critical 21st-century skills. The Teen Tech Centre program is guided by The Clubhouse Network, an internationally acclaimed initiative developed in collaboration with the MIT Media Lab. This model promotes a learner-centered, informal educational approach that emphasizes creativity, exploration, and self-directed learning. Participants engage in activities such as music production, animation, app development, and more, using professional software and equipment in an inclusive and safe environment. The program includes structured training and peer collaboration while leveraging guidance from adult mentors and volunteers, including local Best Buy employees. Eligible applicants must be non-profit organizations within the Greater Toronto Area that operate established afterschool programs for teens aged 13-18. The program location must be within 20 kilometers of a Best Buy store, include at least 1,100 square feet of space, and comply with Ontario’s accessibility standards. The hosting organization must commit to operating and sustaining the Centre for a minimum of three years and be able to demonstrate both financial sustainability and community impact. The grant consists of substantial financial and in-kind support in the first year: a $40,000 USD Technology Grant, $30,000 USD Furniture Grant, $50,000 USD Construction Grant, and a minimum $65,000 USD Program Grant for staffing and operations. Additional benefits include professional development, technical assistance, access to The Clubhouse Village platform, and ongoing support from Best Buy and The Clubhouse Network. Future funding includes an annual Program Grant and a $10,000 USD Technology Revitalization Grant, contingent on performance. To apply, organizations must submit a proposal through Submittable, addressing a comprehensive list of required elements including mission alignment, teen engagement strategies, learning approach, infrastructure, and sustainability plans. Additional documentation includes leadership bios, letters of support, location photos, financial records, and board information. Proposals are reviewed competitively, with criteria focusing on alignment with program goals, organizational capability, and community impact. Applicants may request feedback after funding decisions are made. The proposal deadline and other dates are not specified in the document but submissions are accepted through the provided online portal.