Chambers of Commerce apply today for a YEA! Launch Grant and bring the Young Entrepreneurs Academy to your community!

Criteria YEA! Launch Grants are for chambers of commerce in the United States of America who are led by motivated, enthusiastic, determined professionals who want to make a positive difference in their community. YEA! Launch Grant recipients are chambers who are committed to their community, and are made up of responsible individuals who believe in the power of entrepreneurship and the system of free enterprise. YEA! Launch Grants are awarded to chambers of commerce who are members of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

How to Apply Please complete Part 1 and Part 2 of the application form below. Print and mail or print, scan & email completed application. Email:info@yeausa.org or mail to: YEA!, 175 Corporate Woods, Suite 130, Rochester, NY 14623

Application Deadlines, Interviews and Acceptance Notification Chambers whose applications are received on or before September 26, 2014 will qualify for consideration of the 2014 YEA! Launch Grant and financial assistance in the amount of $2,500 to launch the Young Entrepreneurs Academy at their local high school, College or University for the fall of 2015. Applications are accepted and telephone interviews scheduled on a rolling basis. Applicants will be notified as to the status of their grant award. Part 1: Name of Chamber of Commerce:________________________________________ Telephone Number: ________________________

Name & Title of Applicant:____________________________________ Email: __________________________________________________

Street Address___________________________________________________________________ State______ Zip Code ________________

Name of Prospective Host Site: ________________________________________________________________________________________

Street Address___________________________________________________________________ State______ Zip Code ________________

Are you a member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce? YES NO

Part 2: 1. Please tell us why you’d like to launch the YEA! Program and why you will be successful? (300 words maximum) 2. Have you discussed launching YEA! with your Board of Directors and secured their approval? YES NO 3. Have you identified individuals for the role of Program Manager? YES NO a. Please explain _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ 6. If you are awarded the $2500 YEA! Launch Grant, have you identified and secured the remaining first year funding necessary of $5,100? YES NO a. Please Explain Anticipated Source of Funding:______________________________________________________________________ 7. If you are awarded the $2500 YEA! Launch Grant, will you be able to complete the necessary steps to successfully launch the YEA! Class in November 2015? YES NO

www.yeausa.org(585) 272-3535

Email: info@yeausa.org

YEA! Launch Grant Application: Provided byThe U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation

The Young Entrepreneurs Academy, or YEA!, is a ground-breaking and fun after-school program that takes students in grades six through twelve through the process of starting and running real businesses over the course of a full academic year. Students work closely with their chamber of commerce and the local business leaders in their community throughout the year to cultivate and research business ideas, write a business plan, present their plan to a panel of investors (think Shark Tank meets The Apprentice meets American Idol!), obtain funding and actually launch their business! The Academy strengthens the business community, and the business community strengthens the Academy. YEA! students learn as much about leadership, problem solving and persistence as they do about planning, budgeting and production. YEA! inspires and empowers youth to embrace their passion, live their dream and change the world. Through the YEA! program, kids 11 to 18 years old start as students and graduate as CEOs!

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Chamber Foundation and the Campaign for Free Enterprise are pleased to provide Launch Grants to assist chambers in launching the YEA! program in their community for the 2014-2015 academic year.

Nurture the next generation of CEOs and teach young people the value and the role of the chamber of commerce. Work together with YEA! to teach kids how to make a job—not just take a job! Launch a YEA! class and deepen the relationship between thebusiness and education communities in your area.

Let’s work together to develop the spirit of entrepreneurship and free enterprise, and make experiential entrepreneurship education available to every student in the country.