From the Social Innovation Accelerator to The Pitch: How Local Innovators Are Transforming North Texas
Across North Texas, people are building solutions to some of our toughest challenges—a domestic violence survivor who now trains other survivors in skilled trades, a teen writing program that turns young voices into published authors, an urban farm tackling food insecurity in Southern Dallas.
These aren’t hypothetical ideas. They’re real organizations, founded by local entrepreneurs, already making a difference. United Way of Metropolitan Dallas’ Social Innovation Accelerator exists to help them grow faster—and on Wednesday, April 29, The Pitch presented by Goldman Sachs and powered by PNC is your opportunity to watch these inspiring local innovators compete for $270,000 across five prize categories.
Read on to learn more about the impact of the Social Innovation Accelerator and why you won’t want to miss this unforgettable evening of competition, impact and inspiration.
We Drive Impact Through Ingenuity
More than a decade ago, the team at United Way of Metropolitan Dallas had a bold idea: What if we could dramatically accelerate progress in education, income and health by investing in the people already developing grassroots solutions in their communities?
“North Texas is home to extraordinary entrepreneurs who deeply understand the challenges facing their communities—an understanding rooted in lived experience from being part of these communities every single day,” explains Marco Johnson, senior manager of innovation at United Way of Metropolitan Dallas. “The team at United Way knew that the best way to achieve our goals for this region was to work side-by-side with the innovators who are already making a difference and do everything we can to expand their impact.”
That idea led us to launch our social innovation programming. Through this work, we identify, support and amplify social innovation—which is simply an idea that creates change, performs better than existing solutions or provides most of its value to society, according to the definition from Social Impact Architects.
Our flagship social innovation program, the Social Innovation Accelerator, is a rigorous development program designed to identify, support and scale the work of visionary social entrepreneurs across North Texas. Each year, we select up to 10 innovators to participate in the Accelerator, where they receive mentorship and seed funding, refine their strategies and build partnerships that strengthen their organizations.
Every spring, the Accelerator journey culminates in one electrifying night: The Pitch, where five finalists take the stage to compete for game-changing funding and the title of Social Innovator of the Year.
This year’s event—held Wednesday, April 29—starts with cocktails and conversation among fellow community leaders. Then five finalists—along with a panel of expert judges—take the stage, each with a few minutes to make the case for their vision. You’ll hear ideas that could reshape how North Texas approaches healthcare, food access, education and economic opportunity. After the pitches, you vote—your pick takes home the Sara and Gary Ahr Audience Choice Award. Then the judges reveal their decision and crown the Social Innovator of the Year.
By the end of the night, attendees feel connected to the innovation happening right here in North Texas—and to the life-changing progress being driven by the Live United movement.
Meet the 2026 Finalists
This year’s five finalists represent the next generation of social innovators working to strengthen our community:
The Pitch Is Just the Beginning
For finalists, The Pitch marks the start of a new chapter. Winners and alumni leverage the exposure, funding and connections gained through the Accelerator to dramatically expand their reach.
Recent Social Innovators of the Year are already scaling their impact across North Texas:
- 2025 – Housing Connector North Texas, which helps more families access stable housing by working with property managers to reduce application barriers.
- 2024 – Abide Women’s Health Services, which provides culturally informed prenatal and postnatal care to reduce maternal and infant mortality.
- 2023 – Empowering the Masses, which expanded access to food, job training and health services in Southern Dallas.
Their successes demonstrate how one innovative idea—when supported by the right network—can grow into a movement that transforms lives.
The Reach of the Accelerator Continues to Grow
In the 13 years since we launched the Accelerator, the results have been remarkable. To date, our 103 alumni have:
- Served more than 579,000 North Texans
- Raised nearly $80 million to expand their work
- Formed 2,783 partnerships across the community
Through the Accelerator and The Pitch, United Way also invests $545,000 in seed funding annually and provides more than 1,500 hours of mentorship and coaching to help fellows grow their impact.
By empowering these innovators, United Way and our partners and supports are fueling new solutions that drive progress toward our Aspire United 2030 community goals. Together, we’ll ensure that North Texas is the best place to live, work and raise a family—for all.
Join Us at The Pitch
Don’t miss North Texas’ most inspiring night of innovation. Come see what’s possible when bold ideas meet real support—and cast your vote for the solution you believe in most.
The Pitch
Wednesday, April 29
Doors open at 5 p.m. Program runs from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory in Irving
Together, we can champion bold solutions and continue building a stronger future for North Texas. Get your tickets at unitedwaydallas.org/thepitch.
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Experience Innovation Live at The Pitch
Be there on Wednesday, April 29 when North Texas’ most inspiring ideas take the stage. At The Pitch, five local social innovators will compete live for game-changing funding and the title of Social Innovator of the Year—and you’ll help decide who wins by voting for the Audience Choice Award. Join community leaders, entrepreneurs and change-makers for an unforgettable evening of bold ideas, powerful stories and thrilling competition.
