United Way of Buffalo & Erie County’s Next Generation United Announces Nonprofit Winners of Pitch10

Last night ten nonprofits awarded $50,000 in grants to further activate their missions

BUFFALO, N.Y., November 13, 2025 – On November 12, 2025 almost 300 community members gathered at Seneca One to watch ten emerging nonprofits compete for $50,000 in prize grants during United Way of Buffalo & Erie County Next Generation United’s marquee event, Pitch10.

Next Generation United is excited to announce the 2025 recipients of Pitch10’s grant funding, which was determined by a live vote from the audience:

The 2025 Pitch10 first, second, and third place awardees are:

• First Prize – $25,000 – Haircuts For Those In Need
  • This first prize winner aims to build up confidence and self-esteem by providing free haircuts and hair care to those who are unhoused or unable to afford these services in Buffalo.
• Second Prize – $12,000 – Mezzo Allies
  • Its mission is to shed light on the complex issue of child exploitation and provide support to advocates to prevent future exploitation.
• Third Prize – $6,000 – Home Beneath Our Feet
  • Using a nature-focused curriculum, Home Beneath Our Feet seeds the development of children, youth, and adults through artistic, physical, financial, and person initiatives to improve quality of life in our community.

No organization left empty-handed. The seven remaining nonprofits – 716 Squash, Bits and Bytes STEM Foundation, BLOOM Inc., Buffalo String Works, Rise of WNY, RustBelt Robotics, and Second Generation Theatre – each received a $1,000 grant courtesy of the prize pool sponsors.

Supporting the nonprofit sector is core to United Way’s mission. This year’s first-place winner also received a scholarship to join United Way’s Executive Edge program, offering access to resources, mentorship, and community connections.

Pitch10 is made possible with support from:

Title Sponsor
Empower Federal Credit Union

Event Sponsors
Kaleida Health
John R. Oishei Children’s Hospital
KeyBank
Seneca One
Bank on Buffalo

Prize Pool Match Sponsor
Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation

Prize Pool Sponsors
Kaleida Health
John R. Oishei Children’s Hospital
Rich Family Foundation
National Fuel
Phillips Lytle LLP
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield
JKC Foundation

###

ABOUT NEXT GENERATION UNITED

Next Generation United (NGU), 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.

ABOUT UNITED WAY OF BUFFALO & ERIE COUNTY

For over 100 years, United Way of Buffalo & Erie County has fought to improve the health, education, and financial stability of every person in our community. By forging unlikely partnerships, finding new solutions to old problems, and mobilizing the best resources, we inspire individuals to join the fight against our community’s most daunting social crises. We believe that to live better, we must LIVE UNITED. Learn more at uwbec.org.