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In 1973, Bob Kaitz, an economics teacher at the Breck School, launched a pilot project with the aim of creating an experiential curriculum that connected education to the world of business. The positive impact of a hands-on approach was apparent, and in 1976, BestPrep was officially established as a nonprofit dedicated to helping students and teachers in Minnesota gain business and career skills through experiences.
With the initial volunteer and financial support of 3M, Cargill, Ecolab, and General Mills, BestPrep was at the forefront of a national trend of connecting students and educational institutions with members of business, government, and social services. By connecting students with the Minnesota business community, participants improve their understanding of the world of business as well as becoming better prepared for the future.
BestPrep is now a statewide organization that serves 35,000 Minnesota students annually and mobilizes more than 5,800 volunteers from the business community. We have reached more than 1.7 million students through our six innovative programs that focus on business skills, financial literacy, and career exploration. As we look to the future, our vision is to ensure all Minnesota students are college prepared, work ready, and career bound.
BestPrep Board and Staff members collaborate together to develop three-year Strategic Plans. The focus area of fall 2024 through summer 2027 Strategic Plan are the following:
-Board Effectiveness
-Brand and Development Growth
-Organizational Effectiveness
-Succession Planning
-Volunteer Relations and Engagement
