The Best Buy Foundation recently launched a branch of its organization called the Seattle Fund.
The Seattle Fund was formed to provide grants to nonprofit organizations in the King County metro area that offer career pathways in technology for teens from underserved communities. The first round of grant recipients was announced recently. These organizations, along with help from Best Buy, are strengthening the access to technology and education for young adults.
Here’s a bit more about the organizations that received funding:
- YTech: The YTech Digital Pathways Program is part of the King County YMCA social services division. The program aims to teach basic and intermediate skills in technology to young people. YTech consists of six workshops for young adults experiencing homelessness and provides them with an opportunity to access and learn about technology in preparation for the workforce. In addition, YTech helps its workshop attendees with internship programs in the technology field.
- SIFF: The Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF) has a mission to create experiences that bring people together to discover films from around the world. With the help of the Best Buy Seattle Fund, SIFF will educate young adults in the King County area on the process of film development and production. Each year, the festival draws thousands. With the help from this grant, teens will have a chance to get up close and personal with films, from conception to debut.
- Year Up: The Puget Sound Year Up chapter works to provide underserved teens with an opportunity to reach their full potential and earn meaningful careers. With a focus on the technology field, Year Up Seattle provides curriculum for young adults to earn the skills, experience and support that will assist them in achieving professional careers. Year Up supports its network of young adults from learning all the way through employment and places its students at some of the most well-known technology companies in Seattle.
- GirlsFirst: For young women of color, YWCA GirlsFirst encourages leadership, instills confidence, develops skills and provides opportunities. Young women who are a part of GirlsFirst have a unique opportunity to partake in after-school programs centered on project-based learning. GirlsFirst curriculum includes community building, social and emotional learning, STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) learning, and much more.
(Photo courtesy of Year Up)
Applications for spring funding are due March 1. For more information and eligibility requirements, please click here.