Teens & Tech Grants

The Best Buy Foundation offers the Teens & Tech and Career Pathways Program Grants under its Twin Cities Fund to support nonprofit organizations dedicated to empowering teens through access to technology and career readiness. The Foundation aims to bridge the opportunity gap by partnering with organizations that serve underserved communities, focusing on teens' technological exploration and career development. Its mission is to transform teens into creators by preparing them for tech-reliant careers and fostering vibrant communities. The Teens & Tech grants are tailored for nonprofit programs serving youth aged 13–18 in the Twin Cities seven-county metro area. These grants emphasize hands-on technology-based learning conducted outside of school hours. Eligible programs must support the development of skills using tools like digital cameras, video production equipment, coding software, and robotics kits. Programs can focus on diverse technology areas such as digital arts, UX/UI design, mobile app development, and green technology. Grantees must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits with a minimum two-year programming history and serve underserved youth in the Twin Cities area. The requested grant amount cannot exceed 49% of the program’s total budget. The Career Pathways grants extend support to similar organizations but target youth ages 13–21. These programs must offer out-of-school programming that improves access to tech-related training, credentialing, and employment, often incorporating mentorship and work-based learning experiences. They may include internships, soft and hard skill training, dual enrollment opportunities, and wraparound support services like transportation or mental health support. Programs should aim to prepare youth for sustainable tech careers and further education through skills development and real-world career readiness metrics. Applications for both grant types must be submitted online through the CyberGrants portal. New applicants must first confirm eligibility and create an account, while returning users can log in using existing credentials. Registration through CyberGrants FrontDoor may take 5–7 business days for verification. The application requires detailed program and organizational information, including budgets, board lists, non-discrimination policies, and a breakdown of the program's goals, technical focus, work-life skills taught, and community impact. Applications opened on February 1, 2025, at 8:00 AM CST and are due by April 1, 2025, at 5:00 PM CST. Applicants will be notified of funding decisions by July 31, 2025. Grant awards typically range from $5,000 to $50,000, with the median awards being $25,000 for Teens & Tech and $30,000 for Career Pathways. Funding is for one year, and organizations demonstrating success are eligible to reapply in subsequent years. Contact for the program is available via email at info@bestbuyfoundation.org, and application resources can be found at www.bestbuyfoundation.org/grants.