The Process
There are three major steps to the Youth Venture process. You must complete each step to be eligible for the Starbucks - Youth Venture grant. GenV.net is full of tools to help you through the process, and there are Youth Venture staff you can contact for additional help along the way.
Your Idea
The first step is coming up with an idea and a team. To be considered for the grant, a venture team must be:
- the venture must be youth-created, -led, and -managed
- ventures must be community-benefiting (youth get to define and justify how their idea meets this criterion)
- the ventures must be structured as a lasting organizations (meaning not just a one-time event, for example, but rather, an ongoing entity—like a new school club, a business, or a new community organization)
- the ventures must involve a strong team (meaning at least two people), with clear, attainable goals and budget (each team will receive up to $1,000 based on their demonstrated need—actual costs to start-up their venture), and the commitment to lead their venture
- each venture must have at least one Ally—a supportive adult who guides and encourages the team without taking control (Youth Venture can help suggest and connect youth to Allies if they need one)
If you need help coming up with an idea, check out the tools here. They are designed to help you brainstorm Venture ideas, research your idea and figure out what kind of organization you want to form. Once you've got an idea, the next step is:
Your Action Plan
The Action Plan is your application for the grant. There are two ways to fill out your application: download and submit or fill it out online. You can download your applications here, or fill them out online here. If you want to check out the tools designed to help you with the application, click here and here. After you've filled out and submitted the Action Plan, Youth Venture staff will review it, and may make recommendations and ask you to make revisions. When you've finished revising, and Youth Venture staff have gone over your Action Plan and say you're ready, you'll go to:
Selection Panel
The Selection Panel is a group of Starbucks partners, Youth Venture staff, and community members that you will present your ideas to. The Selection Panel will judge your idea based on a set of criteria that can be found here. Once your application is ready, Youth Venture staff will help you get ready to present at panel, using the tools found here.
Applying for the Grant
We want YOU to apply for the grant. There are two ways to apply: 1) You can apply online; or 2) you can download the grant application and work on it at home.
Applying Online
If you haven’t joined GenV.net already, click the “Join Now” button over to the left! Fill out your profile, and start checking out some of the other amazing Youth Ventures profiled on GenV.
Once you’re ready to start your application, click the “Launch YV Team” button on the left. Put in your team name, and make sure you select Starbucks from the “Submit to this regional office” drop-down menu. This will start your application process.
Downloading the Application
There are two Action Plan formats you can download. Each one has its advantages, but it is up to you to choose which one will be the most beneficial.
The Worksheet Format uses a short answer and worksheet approach to guide you through the Youth Venture process.
- Worksheet Action Plan - Word Document
Section 1: Venture Idea
Section 2: Goals, Roles and Sustainability
Section 3: Timeline and Budget
Section 4: Team Information Forms - Worksheet Action Plan - PDF
Full Action Plan
Section 1: Venture Idea
Section 2: Goals, Roles and Sustainability
Section 3: Timeline and Budget
Section 4: Team Information Forms
The Narrative Format guides students through the Youth Venture process using an essay-based approach. This less structured format is developmentally appropriate for advance high school and college age students.
- Narrative Action Plan - Word Document
Section 1: Venture Idea and Plan
Section 2: Sustainability and Budget
Section 3: Team Forms - Narrative Action Plan - PDF
Full Action Plan
Section 1: Venture Idea and Plan
Section 2: Sustainability and Budget
Section 3: Team Forms
Submitting your application
- Email your action plan to starbucks@youthventure.org
- Fax your action plan to 815-301-3918
- Mail your action plan to:
Youth Venture New England,
Attn: Starbucks,
10 Ferry St. Suite 320,
Concord, NH 03301
Contact Us
When you’re working on your Action Plan, you may have some questions. Youth Venture has lots of tools to help you. Check them out by clicking on the “Dream It” button at the top of the page. If you can’t find the help you need there, you can always get in touch with us.
Click the "Contact" button below to get our information.
