BestPrep

BestPrep prepares students with business, career and financial literacy skills through experiential learning programs that inspire success.

BestPrep, a Minnesota nonprofit, engages 55,000 students in grades K-12 each year in business, career and financial literacy education. More than 5,000 professional volunteers help BestPrep collaborate with educators to bridge classroom curriculum and the world of business outside of the classroom, enriching the teaching and learning experience.

08/31/2026

BestPrep staff and board members had quite the summer – one filled with adventure, fun, and memorable moments!

They spent two energizing weeks at Minnesota Business Venture (MBV), a business and career development summer camp for high schoolers that puts their leadership and financial literacy skills to the test as they develop and pitch their business plan to a panel of judges ‘Shark-Tank’ style. 💼

They also enjoyed an exciting day at Target Field, where President & CEO, Jason Sanders, threw the ceremonial first pitch at a Minnesota Twins game! ⚾️🔥

To wrap up the summer, staff gathered with members of the BestPrep Emerging Leaders Alliance (BELA) for a fantastic social event, strengthening relationships and reflecting on a successful year of student impact.

We can’t wait to see what next year holds!

08/25/2026

BestPrep is a Minnesota-based nonprofit organization that provides five educational programs to Minnesota students. Do you know each one?

Last in our series is Financial Matters! Since 2012, this program has helped students become financially literate through interactive presentations covering a wide range of topics, from credit and budgeting to purchasing a car and insurance.

Educators find the program especially valuable because it brings real-world financial concepts into the classroom, helping students connect what they learn to everyday financial decisions. Kate Fuller, teacher at Robbinsdale Armstrong High School, shares, “This presentation illustrated real world examples of how finances can easily go awry for an individual if they are not planning and organizing and monitoring their money. Our presenter was very relatable and engaging! The students at our school are hungry for knowledge about financial literacy and the volunteers through BestPrep have really helped to share their stories and information in a way that satisfies this quest.”

Learn more about Financial Matters at www.bestprep.org/financial-matters/

08/18/2026

BestPrep is a Minnesota-based nonprofit organization that provides five educational programs to Minnesota students. Do you know each one? Next in our series is eMentors!

Since 2003, this online mentoring program has connected high school students with professionals for an eight-week experience focused on career exploration, workplace etiquette, and goal setting. Through guided discussions and interactive activities, students build meaningful relationships with their mentors while receiving advice from a supportive adult. Students also get the opportunity to meet their mentor in-person at their place of work! As a proud MENTOR Minnesota Dedicated Partner, eMentors provides students with valuable real-world experiences that help prepare them for success. The impact of eMentors extends beyond the online conversations, helping students better understand the many paths to career success and where those career possibilities can lead.

Lacy Schramm, a teacher from Buffalo High School, shares, “Students liked reading about the different journeys the mentors took to reach their careers. Some took non-traditional paths while others completed degrees to earn their positions. All shared about their lives and what their version of success was, and that had an impact. The in-person visit to the workplace and seeing where and how companies operate is transformative for students that don't have any connections to these corporate careers.”

Learn more about eMentors at www.bestprep.org/ementors/

08/17/2026

It’s National Nonprofit Day! 🎉

Positive change happens when people come together around a shared purpose. Today, we're celebrating the impact nonprofits make every day and the role BestPrep plays in preparing students for future success.

For 50 years, BestPrep has prepared more than 1.8 million students with business, career, and financial literacy skills through hands-on experiences that inspire success in work and life. Thanks to the support of dedicated volunteers, educators, and donors, students gain the skills and confidence needed to become college-prepared, work-ready, and career-bound.

Looking for a meaningful way to make an impact? Join us in empowering the next generation by volunteering, donating, or sharing our mission within your network!

🔗Learn more about BestPrep: www.bestprep.org
🔗 Get involved: www.bestprep.org/volunteer/
🔗 Donate: www.bestprep.org/give/

08/14/2026

At BestPrep, we believe financial literacy is a critical life skill. Through our programs, students learn how to budget, save, invest, and make responsible financial decisions that prepare them for success beyond the classroom.

Looking to make a difference? Share your expertise and help students build the skills they'll use for a lifetime at www.bestprep.org/volunteer/

08/12/2026

BestPrep is a Minnesota-based nonprofit organization that provides five educational programs to Minnesota students. Do you know each one?

Next in this series is The Stock Market Game (SMG)! Since 1991, students have had the opportunity to participate in an investment simulation that mirrors the U.S. economic system. Through this experience, they learn about stocks, mutual funds, and bonds in a risk-free environment while developing business, math, economics, financial literacy, and critical thinking skills along the way.

For many students, this program provides more than an introduction to investing. It offers a glimpse into the financial decisions they may come across in the future. One student from Hope Academy shares, “I enjoyed using real world companies and organizations to learn about how stocks work and what stocks are best to invest in! As students, SMG is a great opportunity to experience what the outside world is like and helps us prepare for adulthood.”

Learn more about SMG at www.bestprep.org/the-stock-market-game/

08/06/2026

BestPrep is a Minnesota-based nonprofit organization that provides five educational programs to Minnesota students. Do you know each one? Let's start with its longest standing program – Classroom Plus!

Classroom Plus has been around since BestPrep (formerly BEEF) first opened in 1976, bringing real-world learning into the classroom through guest speakers, mock interviews, workplace tours, and more. Stillwater High School was the first to participate, and the program has continued to grow ever since!

We're proud to create meaningful experiences for students and educators alike. As business teacher, Sumaya Mohamed, at Como Park Senior High School shared, “BestPrep is by far one of the best resources I have used to support my classroom as a business teacher. My students have greatly enjoyed the opportunities BestPrep has provided for us. They do such a great job of reaching out and setting up everything to make teachers' job easier. Without them, we would be losing a lot of meaningful experiences for our students. We thank them for everything they have provided for us."

Learn more about Classroom Plus at https://bestprep.org/classroom-plus/

07/29/2026

A single summer can change the trajectory of a young person’s life, especially for Dean Breuer, the CTE Business and Marketing Specialist at the Minnesota Department of Education and a BestPrep board liaison.

🔗 Read more about Dean’s time as a Minnesota Business Venture student and how it led him to where he is today: https://bestprep.org/dean-breuers-path-to-success-with-bestprep/

07/22/2026

Today is Empowerment Day!

Students had a fun last full day of camp packed with activities. The day started with a keynote from speaker Eric Forstrom, the Executive Director of Customer Treatment Risk Program at Wells Fargo. He shared helpful tips and tactics for successful presentations. He inspired confidence which carried over as students started to share their new innovations in their business plan presentations. There were many incredible ideas and we’re sure the judges struggled to pick a favorite.

In the afternoon, speaker Markus Flynn from Black Men Teach joined us to share his experience as a black educator into his new role as executive director. He turned dreams into actions and encourages students to pursue their passions.

To end the day we had exciting Minute to Win It challenges! The energy only continued as students went to the dance to enjoy their last night!

We are so proud of all the campers and all of their wonderful ideas we cannot wait to see what they’ll do in the future!

Thank you to our Empowerment Day sponsor, The Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation!

07/21/2026

Ever wondered how parents perceive BestPrep? Meet the parents of not one, but TWO student alums – Mary and Meetul Shah!

Both of their children attended our summer camp and had amazing experiences, one of which was named BestPrep’s 2026 Student of the Year!

See what they had to say below 👀

Address

7100 Northland Cir N, #306
Brooklyn Park, MN
55428

Website

http://www.bestprep.org/

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