Starbucks Backs Indigenous Youth with $50K Grant to CANDO

Creating a nation of motivated, educated, and successful young people is the goal of a long-standing Canadian non-profit, and a giant of retail coffee is helping them achieve those goals.

The Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers (CANDO), has recently received a $50,000 grant from the Starbucks Foundation, the charitable branch of the popular coffee chain. The grant will support two CANDO programs – Youth Connect, and Indigenous Youth Coaching.

“Starbucks has always had an affection and commitment to young people. When you find another organization that has those similar beliefs, it’s easy to partner with them,” said Shannon Leisz, VP of Store Development at Starbucks Canada.

“It’s really that shared interest and commitment to young people from both organizations that culminated in this exciting partnership.”

Starbucks has been developing a relationship with CANDO for the last three years, two of which they have sponsored CANDO’s annual conference on developing and advancing Indigenous Economic Development Officers (EDOs) across Canada.

The $50,000 donation is the first from Starbucks to CANDO, but Leisz hints that it’s unlikely to be the last.

“This is a part of our ongoing Reconciliation journey. (CANDO) is an exceptional, reputable organization that we feel good about having a relationship that will continue to evolve,” she said.

The two programs supported through the grant both aim to empower Indigenous youth with opportunities that build skills and inspire leadership.

The Indigenous Youth Coaching program is delivered by Kendal Netmaker, an Indigenous entrepreneur and speaker from Saskatoon, who guides young people through a variety of subjects, including building your own brand, Indigenous leadership, public speaking, and building self-esteem.

“We’re trying to empower youth to feel that they can be as good as they can be in whatever it is they pursue,” said Paul Macedo, CANDO Communications Director.

The program assembles four to five cohorts per year, each which go through ten modules presented by Netmaker and special guests. CANDO is currently on their 12^th cohort, and has graduated around 350 Indigenous youth through the program.

“A lot of youth take it and get energized and motivated to continue with their education or to seek promotions with their employers,” said Macedo. “Many go back and become leaders and influences in their own community.”

The Youth Connect program is designed to provide youth with ongoing supports and mentorship throughout the year, not only educating them through speakers and experts, but engaging youth in conversation about their goals and assisting them in practical matters like resume building.

“We wanted to make sure youth knew CANDO had an interest in their lives and personal journeys. So we are going to be with them throughout the year, rather than just during modules. It’s about having a regular connection,” said Macedo.

In addition to their work with youth, CANDO works with individuals of any age and any background to increase their economic literacy, some of whom come from remote communities, said Macedo.

With the youth they work with, Macedo said the goal isn’t always to develop Economic Development Officers, but to open more young minds to ways they can improve their communities.

“We’ve realized a lot of youth don’t know an Economic Development Officer could be a potential path for them. So many youth want to create an impact in their community, and they might think doing so is limited to politics or administration,” he said.

“We want to show the role of an EDO and how through business development and investment in different sectors, they’re able to impact the local community.”

The grant from Starbucks will support the programs from April to September 2025.

Relationships built with Indigenous leaders at CANDO, including EDOs, has led to Starbucks opening its first licensed store on ATR (Addition to Reserve) land with Muskeg Lake Cree Nation, and a licensed store in We Wai Kai Nation in British Columbia.