The Build a Biz Kids Canadian Future-Ready Education Grant is a fantastic opportunity for educators and non-profits to provide students with essential real-world skills and human soft skills development. To maximize the impact of this grant, it’s crucial to reach as many students as possible each cycle. With a minimum requirement of 50 students participating in BizKids programs each year, there are numerous ways to meet—and exceed—this goal. Here are some strategies, inspired by success stories from other community partners, to help you reach more students and make the most of the grant.

For Public School Educators

1. Collaborate Across Grades

One of the easiest ways to boost participation is to collaborate with fellow teachers in your grade or those teaching one grade above or below. By running BizKids programs simultaneously, you not only increase the number of students reached but also create a support network among teachers. You can share ideas, resources, and strategies, making the planning process smoother. This collaborative approach also leads to larger, more dynamic events, such as the BizKids market or KidTalks events, which can excite both the community and the students. Imagine the buzz and energy of a school-wide event where students from multiple classes showcase their projects—it’s a win-win for everyone!

2. Partner with the Parent Advisory Council (PAC)

Your school’s Parent Advisory Council (PAC) is an excellent resource for expanding the reach of BizKids programs. Consider providing a license to your PAC to run these programs as after-school or summer camps. This approach not only increases the number of participating students but also provides PACs with engaging content that can serve as a fundraising tool for other school initiatives, like lunch programs or field trips. This is a great way to ensure the program’s sustainability while also reaching a broader audience.

3. Run Multiple Programs Throughout the Year

Why limit yourself to just one program per year? Many educators have found success by running different BizKids programs each semester. For example, start with the KidPreneur Program in the fall, culminating in a holiday market, then move on to the KidTalks Public Speaking program in the spring. Alternatively, consider running the Start an Online Business program to help students develop digital literacy and alternative communication skills. By diversifying the offerings, you not only maintain high engagement levels but also allow students to build on their skills throughout the year.

For Non-Profits and Charity Organizations

1. Leverage BizKids Resources for Promotion

Promoting your programs is key to reaching more students. BizKids provides social media and newsletter graphics that can help you effectively advertise your offerings. Don’t hesitate to use resources from the Build a Biz Kids website to enhance your marketing efforts. Effective promotion can significantly increase visibility and attract more participants to your programs.

2. Cross-Promote with Other Non-Profit Organizations

Collaboration is a powerful tool. Reach out to other non-profits that support children and suggest cross-promotion in each other’s newsletters and social media channels. This tactic is mutually beneficial and can help both organizations reach a wider audience. Remember, when you help others, they are more likely to help you in return!

3. Utilize Posters for Local Advertising

Never underestimate the power of a well-placed poster. High-traffic locations such as recreation centers, public libraries, coffee shops, and toy stores often have community boards or windows available for local advertising. Posters in these strategic spots can capture the attention of parents and guardians looking for enriching activities for their children, driving up participation in your programs.

4. Offer Different Programs Each Season

Diversity in programming can lead to repeat participation from students. Parents who enroll their children in the KidPreneur Accelerator Course may be interested in having them continue with the KidTalks Public Speaking Program or the Start an Online Business Course. Offering different programs each cycle not only keeps students engaged but also helps them develop a wide range of Human Essential Soft Skills.

5. Optimize Your Program Timing

Timing can make a big difference in participation rates. When planning your programs, offer multiple sessions at different times and on different days. This flexibility helps you identify which time slots work best for families in your community. If a particular session doesn’t fill up, you can easily cancel it and offer those parents an alternative, ensuring that as many students as possible can participate.

6. Ensure Commitment from Parents

Sometimes when programming is completely free, to ensure accessibility to all families, getting parents to commit to bringing their child to all classes, or not dropping out of the program at the last minute, can make it difficult to run a successful program.  Charging an accessible fee of $25 dollars, or having parents pay a deposit that will be returned once they complete the program can often assist with reducing dropouts and increasing dedication to attending each class.

Conclusion

By implementing these strategies, educators and non-profit organizations can significantly increase the number of students reached each grant cycle. Not only does this maximize the impact of the Build a Biz Kids Canadian Future-Ready Education Grant, but it also ensures that more young people gain access to vital real-world skills and human soft skills development. Let’s work together to empower the next generation of innovators and leaders—one student at a time!