social capital noun. the value of our social networks & relationships

14 Youth Teams Awarded $20,000 in Grants at 2026 SCI Pitch Event

Published by Phil Gordon on

Divine Egbuta (center) poses with fellow youth teammates at the 2025 Pitch Event for SCI’s Youth Grant Pitch Contest along with SCI Program Manager, Nicole Osborne (left), and SCI Managing Director, Philip Gordon (background).

14 Youth Teams Awarded $20,000 in Grants at 2026 SCI Pitch Event

Soley's youth team members, Emalee Milcet (second on the left), Neicka Mathias, Liany Martinez, Jakyra Johnson, and Mumina Osman, pose for a fun photo with Team Advisor, Ethan Mitchell (background, left); Pitch Coaches, Jonathan Feldman (background, center) and Kenny Weill (background right); SCI Program Coordinator, Vitalie Memeus (left); and SCI President, David Crowley (right).
Soley's youth team members, Emalee Milcet (second on the left), Neicka Mathias, Liany Martinez, Jakyra Johnson, and Mumina Osman, pose for a fun photo with Team Advisor, Ethan Mitchell (background, left); Pitch Coaches, Jonathan Feldman (background, center) and Kenny Weill (background right); SCI Program Coordinator, Vitalie Memeus (left); and SCI President, David Crowley (right).

[Boston, MA] – Social Capital Inc. (SCI) hosted its 2026 Pitch Event on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Roxbury Community College, showcasing the innovative ideas of local high school students from 10 communities across Greater Boston. At the event, 14 youth teams presented original social impact projects to a live panel of judges, competing for up to $2,000 each in grant funding from a total pool of $20,000.

“It was an amazing opportunity to show what I’ve learned and worked on for the community,” said Anderson Alfaro, a youth team member of Building Over Blocks in Chelsea, MA. Another youth participant, Elamin Elamin with Fortune Avenue in Boston, shared that: “I loved the opportunity to meet so many people from such different backgrounds. Additionally my team and I had a great opportunity to connect with one another on a level we otherwise couldn’t have.”

SCI welcomed nearly 200 people to the Pitch Event in Roxbury, MA, with youth participants, program volunteers, family, supporters, and invited guests in attendance. In total, 99 young people aged 13-19 years old were involved in the 2026 SCI Youth Grant Pitch Contest. Out of the 14 participating teams, 3 were awarded the maximum grant award of $2,000: EVkids Youth Leaders (Boston), Fortune Avenue (Boston), and MA Youth Climate Coalition (Malden / Greater Boston).

Fortune Avenue youth members (left to right) Elamin Elamin, Rebecca John, Daniel Idenudia, David Huang, and Daniel David pose with Team Advisor, JAKE Small (left) and Mental Health Track Judge, Seth Libert (background, center).
Fortune Avenue youth members (left to right) Elamin Elamin, Rebecca John, Daniel Idenudia, David Huang, and Daniel David pose with Team Advisor, JAKE Small (left) and Mental Health Track Judge, Seth Libert (background, center).
Daniel Idenudia, Founder and Executive Director of Fortune Avenue, presenting to judges and audience members.
Daniel Idenudia, Founder and Executive Director of Fortune Avenue, presenting to judges and audience members.
MA Youth Climate Coalition youth leaders, Rylan Workman (center-left) and Kidus Tsige (second from right), pose with Pitch Coaches, Jolly Pradhan (second from left) and Jack Nedelman (center-right); SCI Program Coordinator, Vitalie Memeus (left); and SCI President, David Crowley (right).
MA Youth Climate Coalition youth leaders, Rylan Workman (center-left) and Kidus Tsige (second from right), pose with Pitch Coaches, Jolly Pradhan (second from left) and Jack Nedelman (center-right); SCI Program Coordinator, Vitalie Memeus (left); and SCI President, David Crowley (right).
Audience listens to the Bridge-building Track judges providing feedback to the youth leaders of MA Youth Climate Coalition.
Audience listens to the Bridge-building Track judges providing feedback to the youth leaders of MA Youth Climate Coalition.
EVkids Youth Leaders (second from left to right), Alexa Santana, Mariama Bangoura, Blake Dacosta, Fatoumata Balde, and Souleymane Diallo pose with Team Advisors, Dede Evans (third from right) and Ashley Clavel (right); Pitch Coach, Sam Gerry (background, left); SCI Program Coordinator, Vitalie Memeus (left); and SCI President, David Crowley (second from right).
EVkids Youth Leaders (second from left to right), Alexa Santana, Mariama Bangoura, Blake Dacosta, Fatoumata Balde, and Souleymane Diallo pose with Team Advisors, Dede Evans (third from right) and Ashley Clavel (right); Pitch Coach, Sam Gerry (background, left); SCI Program Coordinator, Vitalie Memeus (left); and SCI President, David Crowley (second from right).

Each youth team will have until December 31, 2026 to complete their respective projects and will submit a project impact report by the end of January 2027. Below is the full list of participating teams in the 2026 SCI Youth Grant Pitch Contest with their award amounts:

Arts & Culture

  • Community Health Cohort | La Colaborativa, Chelsea – $1,900
  • Connor’s Kindness Project | Connor’s Kindness Project, Winchester/Woburn – $1,000
  • ECO (Environmental Chelsea Organizers) | GreenRoots, Chelsea – $1,680
  • Green Jobs | La Colaborativa, Chelsea – $1,420

Bridge-building 

  • Camp Warm Welcome | Camp Warm Welcome, Boston – $750
  • Con Manos Unidas We Change | De Nosotros Foundation & Eastie Coalition, East Boston – $750
  • EVkids Youth Leaders | EVkids, Boston – $2,000
  • Mass. Youth Climate Coalition | Massachusetts Youth Climate Coalition, Malden – $2,000
  • Soley | Immigrant Family Service Institute, Mattapan – $1,500

Mental Health

  • BGCD Keystone | Boys & Girls Club of Dorchester, Dorchester – $900
  • Building Over Blocks | La Colaborativa, Chelsea – $1,100
  • Fortune Avenue | Fortune Avenue, Boston – $2,000
  • GrowWithGuidance | GrowWithGuidance Inc., Natick – $1,100
  • Lynn Lady Leaders | Boys & Girls Club of Lynn – $1,900
Check out the 2026 Pitch Event photo album!

SCI’s Youth Grant Pitch Contest provides youth with access to adult-mentoring relationships, financial support, and network-building resources, while intentionally cultivating connections across socioeconomic barriers in Greater Boston.

Since launching in 2021, SCI’s Youth Grant Pitch Contest has supported 53 youth-led projects through $69,000 in grants that have benefited over 6,000 community members across 14 Greater Boston communities.

The 2026 Pitch Event was supported by 1981andCo Photography, the Ironside Group at Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, Roxbury Community College, the YMCA of Greater Boston, and TITIN (Extra Virgin Olive Oil). For more information visit socialcapitalinc.org/ygpc.

The 2026 SCI Youth Grant Pitch Contest is made possible by the generous support of Boston Bridges Initiative, Winning Home, Inc., State Street Foundation, The Brooks & Joan Fortune Family Foundation, M&T Bank, The Boston Foundation, Kick It For A Cause, Boston Children’s Hospital, and a Massachusetts state budget line item (thanks to the advocacy of State Senator Cindy Friedman). Major support for SCI’s youth programs is provided by Cummings Properties.

Media Contact: Philip Gordon — SCI Managing Director, pgordon@socialcapitalinc.org, 781-935-2244.

About SCI
SCI’s mission is to strengthen communities by connecting diverse individuals and organizations through civic engagement initiatives. SCI’s goal is to develop 1,000 youth + adult Social Capital Cultivators™ by 2028 who will increase social connection through civic engagement initiatives to build thriving, inclusive communities.

Categories: Civic EngagementCommunity ConnectionsSCI SpotlightSocial CapitalVolunteer EngagementYGPCYouth Leadership

Related Posts

Community Connections

Introducing the  Mental Health Track – 2026 Youth Grant Pitch Contest

Introducing the Bridge-Building Track – 2026 Youth Grant Pitch Contest The SCI Youth Grant Pitch Contest provides youth with access to adult-mentoring relationships, financial, and network-building resources, while intentionally cultivating connections across socioeconomic barriers in Read more

Community Connections

Introducing the Bridge-Building Track – 2026 Youth Grant Pitch Contest

Introducing the Bridge-Building Track – 2026 Youth Grant Pitch Contest The SCI Youth Grant Pitch Contest provides youth with access to adult-mentoring relationships, financial, and network-building resources, while intentionally cultivating connections across socioeconomic barriers in Read more

Four SCI Pitch Judges joyfully laughing together during a youth team presentation.
Civic Engagement

Meet the Judging Panel of the 2026 SCI Pitch Event!

On Saturday, April 11th there will be 15 judges making important decisions for SCI’s Youth Grant Pitch Contest through the 2026 Pitch Event, a powerful showcase of youth leadership, innovation and action.