PITCH-ER THIS!

A bright idea to improve our community.

PITCH-ER THIS! is a youth development competition for students in grades 6-12th grade in mid-Michigan. United Way will provide funding to the winning team(s) to help bring their idea to life. A panel of community leaders will judge the presentations and event attendees will vote for their favorite project. Ideas range from programs and events to technology and arts that will help people achieve their full potential. PITCH-ER THIS! is hosted by United Way of Greater Central Michigan in collaboration with CMU College of Medicine.

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APPLICATION DEADLINE:

November 28, 2025

 
 

TEAMS SELECTED:

December 19, 2025

 
 

Make your pitch:

February 28, 2026

Two young girls smiling and holding a trophy in front of a colorful mural with the words 'Greetings from' and various scenic illustrations. One girl is wearing a green shirt, and the other is wearing a yellow shirt.
A group of children and two women holding a large check and posing outdoors on a sunny day, with toys and sports equipment around them.
A man with glasses and a suit converses with a woman at a professional event, with other attendees in the background and a blurred screen.
Three girls and a woman holding a large check and a trophy in front of a building with a brick facade. The woman is on the left, the girl in the middle is holding the trophy, and another girl is on the right. The check is from United Way and is made
A woman with glasses and a necklace smiling and talking to two people at a crowded event. She is wearing a name tag that says 'Sophia Powell' and 'Little Free Pantry.'
A person in a Boy Scouts uniform casting a vote at a polling station with others in line.
A man and a young girl shake hands while exchanging a certificate at an award ceremony. The girl is smiling and holding the certificate with both hands. Another girl is partially visible in the foreground, and the background features a neutral wall.
A group of people gathered at an indoor event, with a welcoming sign that reads 'Pitcher THIS' and 'WELCOME' on display. There is a table with informational materials and a water pitcher in the foreground, and multiple individuals are engaged in conv
Three women standing outside a building smiling, holding a large check and a trophy. The check is from United Way and made out for $4,939. The women appear happy and proud, celebrating a donation or achievement.
Group of children and adults standing on stage, holding certificates of participation at an event related to the College of Medicine. Some individuals are wearing masks, and a large screen behind them displays a logo for United Way and the event titl
Group of people attending an indoor conference or event, some wearing face masks, engaged in conversation or listening to a speaker, with presentation screens in the background.
Four young people standing in front of a United Way backdrop, holding certificates of participation. The backdrop has the United Way logo and the words 'LIVE UNITED' repeated across it.
A wooden plaque or award stand with multiple black nameplates displaying various names and school years, mounted on a corner of a wooden table or shelf with decorative black lattice supports.
 
 

PITCH-ER THIS! Application

Student teams of 1-4 people should submit this application by November 28, 2025. If the idea is approved (notification will be made by December 19, 2025), teams will work with a mentor to develop their idea and prepare for their “big pitch” in person on Saturday, February 28, 2026. Ideas may include anything from programs/events to technology and arts that benefit the community in one of the following areas: Healthy Community, Youth Opportunity, Financial Security, Community Resiliency.

Please direct any questions to United Way Community Impact Manager Brittany Stoneman; brittany@unitedwaygcm.org/(989) 773-9863.

 

FAQs

  • PITCH-ER THIS! is a youth development competition for students in Gratiot, Ionia, Isabella and Montcalm counties. United Way will provide funding to the winning team(s) to help bring their idea to life. A panel of community leaders will judge the presentations (see rubric) and event attendees will vote for their favorite project. Ideas range from programs and events to technology and arts that will help people achieve their full potential through quality education, financial stability and healthy lifestyles. PITCH-ER THIS! is hosted by United Way of Greater Central Michigan in collaboration with CMU College of Medicine.

  • For grant funding! You can apply for up to $5,000 in grant funding to make your idea come to life. If your idea costs more, you must provide the ways you plan on getting additional funds. Tip: Have a budget ready to show the judges!

  • Work with your team members to create a table display and visual screen presentation for the event in February. It should include a PowerPoint/Google Slides/Prezi presentation telling us about your project. Everyone should be on stage, but not everyone needs to talk. There will be microphones and audio/visual provided.

  • Yes! Your mentor will help guide you along the way to answer questions and help your team prepare for your big pitch!

  • Event attendees can vote for their favorite team and a panel of community leaders (celebrity judges) will fill out a scoring rubric. They will be judging you on the following:

    • Table Display: your display was visually pleasing; you interacted with attendees with enthusiasm and conveyed the need for the project; included the overall cost of the project; location of where the project will take place

    • Content: the presentation was orderly, informative, and persuasive

    • Clarity: the presentation provided a clear description of the idea; visual aides were beneficial

    • Eye Contact: made eye contact with the judges when speaking

    • Preparedness & Poise: the team appeared professional, well-prepared, relaxed, and confident

    • Length: the presentation was completed within 10 minutes and was delivered at an appropriate pace

    • Community Impact: the idea would significantly benefit the community

    • Timeline & Costs: your team presented a realistic timeline of project progressing to completion; breakdown of project cost and explanation of additional funding sources if amount exceeds $5,000

 PITCH-ER THIS! is brought to you by: