SCI welcomes 14 teams from Greater Boston for the 2026 Youth Grant Pitch Contest!
About the SCI 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 Greater Boston.
Participating youth teams develop their project ideas through in-depth coaching with local professionals, before pitching their project to a live panel of judges at the culminating Pitch Event with an opportunity to receive $1,000-$2,000 in grant funding!
- Monetary Resources & Mentorship to execute their visions for strengthening their communities
- Development of Career Skills such as public speaking, project management and team collaboration
- Bridging Community Connections to like-minded peers & professionals across the region that helps grow their social capital
SCI’s Youth Grant Pitch Contest is open to youth teams with members in grades 9 through 12, who are based in Greater Boston communities (within Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk & Suffolk counties).
Thank you to our Supporters!
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, Boston Children’s Hospital, Kick It For A Cause 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.
How YOU can Get Involved!
- Volunteer Application → SIGN UP TODAY!
- Pitch Coach: Need up to 30 volunteers to provide strengths-based strategic guidance and motivational support to Youth Teams in the areas of pitch development and public speaking.
- Volunteer Interest Form
- Sponsor the Pitch Event on April 11th @ Roxbury Community College!
- Program Sponsorship Menu → get recognized for supporting young people making positive social impact!
- Give Now! → every bit helps!
2026 SCI Youth Grant Pitch Contest – Timeline
- September 2025 | Volunteer Application Open
- October 2025 | Youth Team Application Open
- November 2025 | Youth Teams Accepted and Matched with Coaches
- January 2026 | Orientations
- February 2026 | Kickoff
- February 2026 - April 2026 | Coaching Sessions (7 Sessions + 1 Pitch Rehearsal)
- April 2026 | *PITCH EVENT & GRANTS AWARDED* (location TBA)
- May 2026 - December 2026 | Youth Team Grantee Projects Implemented
The SCI Youth Grant Pitch Contest is more than your typical funding competition
…it’s a launchpad for youth empowerment, skill-building, community impact and life-changing connections.
- Skill Enhancement: Youth participants gain valuable experience in budgeting, project management, and public speaking—skills essential for both project success and future career opportunities.
- Leadership Development: Teams tackle real-world issues facing their communities, developing critical leadership and problem-solving abilities.
- Community Impact: By addressing the needs of their peers and communities, youth-led projects help foster resilience and meaningful change.
- Bridge Building: Participants gain connections and networking opportunities with peers & working professionals, opening pathways for continued mentorship and relationship building.
Youth not only enhance key skills but also gain self-confidence and cultivate authentic relationships with peers and adult mentors from a range of industries. Likewise, Volunteers and Advisors get to support the next generation of change-makers while expanding their own personal and professional networks!
