To encourage collaboration between city, county, and metro-area leaders with local youth serving non-profit organizations, higher education institutions, and businesses, the Global Business Coalition for Education is inviting partnerships across the United States to participate in the Big Ideas, Bright Cities challenge. GBC-Education is looking for innovative approaches and big ideas to increase youth skills and employment opportunities across the country.
Winning partnerships will receive cash prizes to launch or scale their big idea as well as be invited to participate in a year-long community of practice for additional guidance and support in implementing their projects.
In order to apply, cities, businesses, and higher education institutions must partner with an organization that has a registered 501(c)(3) status. The non-profit entity must also submit the application on behalf of the partnership.
Timeline
The Big Ideas, Bright Cities challenge will open in November 2021 and applications will be due no later than January 31st, 2022. Winners will be announced in March 2022.
Apply now here.
How to apply
All cities or community (regardless of size) partnerships in the U.S. are eligible to apply. Applications may be submitted by a registered 501(c)(3) organization. Challenge awards can be granted only to organizations with a registered 501(c)(3) status.
Applicants will need to complete the application form, including the required documentation, and submit the completed materials before midnight PST on January 31st.
Applicants will need to complete the application form, including the required documentation, and submit the completed materials before midnight PST on January 31st.
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Criteria
All cities and metro areas, including county seats, large and small, are invited to apply in partnership with a registered 501(c)(3) organization, as well as businesses and higher education institutions. Applications must be submitted by an organization that has a registered 501(c)(3) in good standing.
Applicants will need to submit a completed application form before midnight PST on January 31st.
Partnerships with proposals that seek to launch a new idea or wish to scale up an existing project that increased youth skills development and employment opportunities are encouraged to apply. Preference will be given to partnerships which involve government, youth-serving non-profits, education institutions, and businesses.
Applicants will need to submit a completed application form before midnight PST on January 31st.
Prizes
Awards packages will make it possible for cities with the most innovative ideas to put their aspirational plans into action.
Winning cities will benefit from various types of support, including cash grants to an approved 501(c)(3) organization in the city to advance the proposal, technical support from our business partners, and other communications and technology expertise.
All applicants will have the opportunity for cross-city collaboration through a learning community to elevate best practices, enable joint problem solving, and promote collective success.
Winning cities will benefit from various types of support, including cash grants to an approved 501(c)(3) organization in the city to advance the proposal, technical support from our business partners, and other communications and technology expertise.
All applicants will have the opportunity for cross-city collaboration through a learning community to elevate best practices, enable joint problem solving, and promote collective success.
Applicants with promising big ideas will be considered for grants awards of $100K and smaller runner-up grants as well as the opportunity to participate in a year-long community of practice.
GBC-Education: Skills Friendly Cities