PITCH-ER THIS!
A bright idea to improve our community.
PITCH-ER THIS! is a youth venture competition for students in grades 6-12th grade in Gratiot, Ionia, Isabella & 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 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.
APPLICATION DEADLINE:
November 28, 2025
TEAMS SELECTED:
December 19, 2025
Make your pitch:
February 28, 2026
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
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PITCH-ER THIS! is a youth development competition for students in Gratiot & Isabella 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 Gratiot & Isabella Counties in collaboration with CMU College of Medicine.
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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!
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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.
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Yes! Your mentor will help guide you along the way to answer questions and help your team prepare for your big pitch!
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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:
