Our Best Buy Teen Tech Center program is expanding, and we’re looking for local nonprofit partners to serve as hosts for new locations in three cities.
We’re planning to open Teen Tech Centers in Raleigh, North Carolina; Omaha, Nebraska; and Nashville, Tennessee. Established Nonprofits and other public-entity organizations interested in hosting a Teen Tech Center in those markets are invited to apply by Oct. 29.
Teen Tech Centers are safe after-school spaces where teens can get hands-on experience with cutting edge technology under the guidance of youth development coordinators. These centers let teens explore their interests and passions in areas like robotics, photography, music and film production, and provide opportunities that prepare them for careers of the future.
This growth builds on a five-year plan unveiled last year to address underrepresentation, technology inequities and educational and career opportunities for those who need it most. There are 41 Teen Tech Centers across the country, and Best Buy has committed to building a network of over 100 nationwide by 2025 to reach 30,000 teens from disinvested communities annually.
“Best Buy Teen Tech Centers help build brighter futures for teens in communities across the country,” said Andrea Wood, vice president of social impact at Best Buy. “We are excited to be adding more than 12 new locations to our network in 2021 and are so grateful for the support of all our partners who are instrumental in bringing this mission to life.”
Our current Teen Tech Centers host partners include Hope Community, P.F Bresee Foundation and Project Vida. (Click here to see a full list of locations and partners.)
How to apply
Since 2012, Best Buy has partnered with The Clubhouse Network to support the growth of Teen Tech Center locations across the country. Building on the success of the current Teen Tech Center network, together we anticipate growing by at least 12 new locations in 2022, including the new ones in Raleigh, Omaha and Nashville.
Organizations from these three cities that are interested in joining the Teen Tech Center program can apply now through Oct. 29. We will host an RFP workshop webinar with The Clubhouse Network on Friday, Oct. 1 at 12 p.m. Eastern to answer any questions about the program and proposal process. You can register for the webinar here.
The organizations selected for Teen Tech Center grants will receive funding for:
- Staffing
- Renovation and construction
- Technology equipment
- Furniture that can be used for music studios and other items
To learn more about Best Buy Teen Tech Centers, visit bestbuy.com/teentechcenter.