Best Buy Canada Grants Elementary Schools with New Technology

Program brings tech to classrooms across Canada  

BURNABY, BC, June 23, 2016 /CNW/ - This week, Best Buy Canada announced the return of the School Tech Grants program, which offers financial grants of up to $10,000 to schools for the purchase of new classroom technology. The program is currently accepting online applications from elementary schools (Grades K-8) across Canada at www.bestbuy.ca/schooltechgrants. Application deadline is Thursday, July 7, 2016 and recipients will be announced in September.

The School Tech Grant program is unique as it allows schools to outline exactly how much funding is needed and specifically what technology the schools need to take learning to the next level for their students.

"We continue to see a tremendous amount of interest from teachers and principals excited by the possibilities that can happen when students have access to technology," said Andrea MacBeth, Community Relations Manager, Best Buy Canada. "We know how amazing technology can be and the impact it can have in the hands of students. Best Buy Canada wants to provide schools opportunities to access the latest in modern tech."

The Best Buy School Tech Grants are available in two categories:

• General School Tech Grants offer a way for schools to improve or integrate technology in their classrooms to advance student learning. Previous winners have used these grants to support tech needs in libraries, special needs classrooms, and literacy programs.

• STEM School Tech Grants are available for schools looking to add technology to programs that focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math (STEM). Previous recipients include investments in robotics clubs, math or coding programs, makerspaces, and digital media courses.

Since the program started, Best Buy Canada has awarded $2.3 million in grants to more than 100 Canadian schools as part of their ongoing commitment to supporting students and education in Canada.

New this year

Best Buy Canada has partnered with My Class Needs (MCN), a Canadian charity that connects classroom projects with donors through a crowdfunding website. Together, Best Buy and MCN will be providing the opportunity for elementary school teachers to apply for micro-grants of up to $1000 for new tech. This additional funding aims to support individual classroom projects related to Science, Technology, Engineering or Math with the technology needed to either be established or grow.

"We are thrilled to partner with Best Buy Canada on this new initiative," said Amy Coupal, MCN CEO.  "The support of Best Buy allows MyClassNeeds.ca to bring innovative resources to more schools across Canada and directly impact the educational experience of students. I'm grateful for Best Buy Canada's leadership and commitment to supporting students by giving them greater access to innovative learning resources."

Teachers can apply for a Best Buy School Tech Micro Grant through MyClassNeeds.ca from July 18 - September 9, 2016.

About Best Buy Canada

As a wholly owned subsidiary of Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE:BBY), Best Buy Canada Ltd. is one of Canada's largest and most successful omni-channel retailers, operating the Best Buy, Best Buy Mobile and Geek Squad (www.geeksquad.ca) brands. With nearly 200 Best Buy and Best Buy Mobile stores across Canada, and an expanded assortment of lifestyle products offered through BestBuy.ca, Best Buy is a leader in Total Retail, catering to customers how, when, and where they want to shop. Best Buy Canada is committed to making a positive impact in the community with programs and partnerships that support youth to connect with technology to advance their education. For more information visit BestBuy.ca.

About MCN

My Class Needs Foundation is a registered charity (86821 1376 RR0001) that enhances the learning environment in Canadian publicly funded schools by linking teachers to donors who want to support them through the crowdfunding platform MyClassNeeds.ca. The process is easy, accessible and fully transparent. MyClassNeeds.ca provides the opportunity for organizations and individual donors to enhance the educational experience of students across the country by leveling the playing field in terms of schools' access to resources. Since MyClassNeeds.ca launched in 2013 they have raised over $1,278,000, funded over 1,275 projects and enhanced the learning experience of over 61,500 students. For more information go to myclassneeds.ca

SOURCE Best Buy Canada

Media contact: Rivka Lipsey, E: [email protected], P: 604-219-1833