“Pitch Your Peers Teen” empowers high school students to engage in meaningful, community-based philanthropy through service, collaboration, and collective decision-making.
Pitch Your Peers Teen introduces students to local nonprofit organizations and meaningful volunteer opportunities while giving them a voice in directing charitable funding.
The major difference between PYP Teen and other youth service organizations is that members do not just volunteer — they also pitch, vote, and help decide where grant funding goes. Think of it as a hands-on introduction to philanthropy and leadership.
The program focuses on helping students:
- Understand local community needs
- Participate in meaningful volunteer service
- Develop leadership and public speaking skills
- Work collaboratively to support local nonprofits
How it Works
Membership is open to high school students in grades 9 through 12.
Members commit to:
- Completing 100 volunteer hours over four years (approximately 25 hours per year)
- Participating in meetings, service opportunities, and community events
- Raising a minimum of $250 to contribute to the annual grant pool
Service hours may be earned through:
- Approved nonprofit partners
- Pitch Your Peers–organized volunteer events
- Community service projects aligned with the organization’s mission
The program culminates in Pitch Day, when eligible members nominate and present a nonprofit organization they believe should receive the Pitch Your Peers Teen Grant.
Where We Started
Pitch Your Peers Teen was founded by Grace Dunchick and Lily Early, who established the chapter’s structure, culture, and operating standards.
As founding student leaders, they:
- Organize meetings and programming
- Coordinate volunteer opportunities
- Partner with local nonprofit organizations
- Guide the annual Pitch Day process
The chapter was created to give students a meaningful way to serve their communities while learning how local philanthropy works in practice.
Pitch Your Peers Teen is a youth-led philanthropic and service organization that gives high school students the opportunity to volunteer, advocate for local causes, and help direct annual grant funding to nonprofits making a difference in their communities.