Youth Entrepreneurship Model Program Pilot

About this grant

This grant will support the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Flint (BGCGF) in expanding youth entrepreneurship and leadership opportunities for young people ages 7–17 through a comprehensive developmental pathway that introduces entrepreneurial thinking early and builds increasingly advanced, hands-on experiences over time. The initiative will: 1) provide entrepreneurship education and financial literacy programming that equips youth with foundational business and money management skills; 2) expose participants to career exploration, mentorship, and connections with local entrepreneurs to broaden awareness of entrepreneurial and career pathways; 3) create real-world entrepreneurial experiences through a Youth Entrepreneurship & Career Fair, BGC Marketplace and Youth Business Concept Competition where youth can develop, market and pitch their ideas; 4) establish a youth-led media and podcast program that strengthens communication, storytelling and leadership skills while amplifying youth voice; and 5) foster confidence, agency and leadership by helping young people see themselves as future business owners, innovators and community leaders. Through these interconnected experiences, BGCGF will create meaningful opportunities for youth to develop entrepreneurial mindsets, workplace-ready skills and leadership capabilities while strengthening Flint’s broader youth entrepreneurship ecosystem.