Purdue University Launches Community Impact Pitch Challenge to Address Local Needs
Purdue University's Office of Engagement has initiated its inaugural Community Impact Pitch Challenge, offering up to $10,000 in seed funding for new faculty-community partnerships. This initiative aims to develop action-ready solutions for pressing local needs over a one-year project period. Community partners have identified three key focus areas for the challenge: Affordable Housing & Homelessness, Youth Development, and Mental Health, Trauma & Addiction Recovery. The Youth Development category specifically includes solutions for high childcare costs that impact workforce participation, out-of-school youth programming, and child hunger. Community partners are invited to review project ideas, select finalists, and potentially join projects. The timeline includes reviewing faculty project ideas in January 2027, a matchmaking lunch in February 2027, and a Summit Pitch Event and Award ceremony on March 2, 2027, where winning teams will receive funding. Non-funded teams interested in moving forward will rece...
