Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship

CONTACT:

PO Box 57340
Babson Park, MA 02457
781-239-6383
newengland.nfte.com

Clare McCully, Executive Director

DESCRIPTION:

NFTE ("Nifty") was founded in 1987 in the South Bronx by a remedial math teacher and his students, who had discovered the potency of teaching math with an entrepreneurial twist. The idea is to give disadvantaged urban youth the basic tools to improve their own lives by starting their own businesses. It works, so NFTE has grown -- it has now trained over 96,000 young people in 45 states and 16 countries. NFTE appeals to the natural strengths of inner-city youth — e.g., mental toughness, agility, opportunism, and the ability to manage risk. Through partnerships with middle schools, high schools and community organizations, it reaches whole networks of young people who can benefit from its services.

NFTE New England was founded in 1991, and has served over 6,000 low-income youth in the region, and continues to grow; new programs in Fitchburg and Framingham will reach another 1,125 students in 2007.

Independent research by Harvard University and Brandeis University found that, compared with students enrolled in traditional courses, NFTE graduates are: 30 times more likely to start a business; more interested in attending college; have increased occupational aspirations; more likely to take on leadership roles. Here is an engine — give it some gas.

(1998: HUMAN SERVICES: Well-Being)