United Way Next Generation United advisory board announces 2023 Pitch10 finalists

Finalists will compete for more than $50,000 in grants

United Way of Buffalo & Erie County’s Next Generation United advisory board (NGU) on Wednesday announced the 10 nonprofit organizations selected as 2023 Pitch10 finalists.

Pitch10, the group's marquee event, gives WNY-based organizations the chance to connect directly with the young professional community and compete for a series of grants to further activate their missions.

A press release stated, “Finalists were selected through a competitive RFP process, based on their work in United Way’s community impact priorities in the areas of health, education and financial stability.”

This year’s Pitch10 finalists include:

•716 Ministries: This faith-based entrepreneurial nonprofit empowers individuals and transforms neighborhoods through job training, construction services and facilities support in Western New York.

•Bootsector Inc.: Bootsector Inc. empowers, educates and supports the next generation of local entrepreneurs and startup leaders.

•Confident Girl Mentoring Program Inc.: Confident Girl Mentoring fosters a thriving culture where all girls can build their self-esteem and confidence through self-discovery.

•Durham's Maternal Stress Free Zone DH Inc.: Durham’s Maternal Stress Free Zone envisions improving ultimate health of communities by empowering people to make informed choices about their pregnancy, birth delivery options and milk food source for their newborn infants.

•GOBike Buffalo: GOBike Buffalo promotes active mobility options, trails and greenways, and complete streets in Western New York.

•Home Beneath Our Feet: Home Beneath Our Feet was founded on the premise that every child deserves a great education while acquiring basic life skills.

•If Kids Inc.: If Kids Inc. fosters a love for sustainable farming practices, encourages environmental stewardship, and empowers the next generation to make a positive impact on their communities and the world.

•Licensed to Eat: Licensed to Eat provides services to young people through community engagement activities that help with their mental and physical health.

•Stitch Buffalo Inc.: Stitch Buffalo empowers refugee and immigrant women through the sale of their handcrafted goods, inspires creativity and inclusion through community education, and stewards the environment through the re-use of textile supplies.

•The Collaborative Center for Social Innovation: The Collaborative Center for Social Innovation empowers youth to better our community by fostering empathy & instilling a sense of purpose and belonging.

Finalists will compete for $50,000 in grants – double compared to 2022 – thanks in large part to the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, which has pledged a $25,000 matching grant to support the Pitch10 2023 prize fund.

The press release added, “Western New York community members eager to deepen their involvement and connect with like-minded individuals are warmly invited to Pitch10 for an evening of food, cocktails, networking and impactful community engagement.”

Tickets for the event, to be held at the Seneca One building on Wednesday, Oct. 25, are available for purchase at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pitch10-2023-tickets-710324237917?aff=oddtdtcreator.

About Next Generation United

Next Generation United, a giving community of United Way of Buffalo & Erie County, enables a network of young professionals to be agents of change by tackling local worthy causes through fun, social and impactful opportunities. NGU allows WNY's rising leaders to reshape the norms of philanthropy by creating unique connections to community nonprofits that are poised to tackle some of Buffalo’s most pressing challenges. Learn more or become a member at uwbec.org/next-generation.

For over 100 years, United Way of Buffalo & Erie County has “fought to improve the health, education, and financial stability of every person in the community.” Learn more at uwbec.org.