Connect Center for Youth is seeking graduate student support to strengthen its long-term organizational sustainability by developing a scalable grant strategy, workforce development expansion framework, and AI-enabled data infrastructure to support future funding and program growth. Based in the Albany, New York region, the organization currently provides technology-forward youth programming, including STEAM education, 3D printing initiatives, food assistance programming, and community support services, while preparing to expand into workforce development and career readiness programming through partnerships with external organizations.

As the organization grows, leadership is looking to better understand how to strategically position Connect Center for Youth for larger state and federal grant opportunities tied to workforce development, educational programming, and youth advancement initiatives. Students will help identify what operational, demographic, workforce, and outcomes-related data should be systematically collected in order to improve grant competitiveness, reporting readiness, and long-term impact measurement.

In parallel, students will explore the development of a centralized, AI-assisted grant intelligence and organizational data management system capable of organizing program information, tracking participant outcomes, identifying funding opportunities, and streamlining future grant-writing processes. This may include researching AI-enabled grant support tools, evaluating database and CRM options, mapping workflows for data collection and reporting, and designing recommendations for automating portions of the grant application and narrative development process.

The project will ultimately provide Connect Center for Youth with a scalable operational and funding roadmap that supports workforce development expansion, improves organizational readiness for public and private grant funding, and strengthens the organization’s ability to measure, communicate, and grow its long-term community impact.