Our York Media Takes Home $20,000 Grant from YorIt Live Pitch Event

Our York Media Takes Home $20,000 Grant from YorIt Live Pitch Event

Rebecca and Will Hanlon of Our York Media came out victorious in an exciting YorIt Social Venture Challenge (SVC) Live Pitch on April 18. Four finalists shared their ideas with the York community, and YorIt members voted for the SVC winner who received a $20,000 grant from the organization. The community was also invited to vote for their favorite idea by donation. York Swings! received the most community votes and went home with a $4,514 Community Cash Prize.

Our York Media is using the grant to expand their coverage of the good news happening in York. Their plans include the launch of an additional video and audio series focused on the “Catalysts” making York a better place, video versions of “Neighbors of Our York”, and bigger-picture stories of where York is heading. To see some of their current coverage, visit www.ouryorkmedia.com.

Thomas McLaughlin’s pitch for York Swings! Music, Dance, and History of the Jazz Age focused on highlighting York’s history in the Swing era and attracting visitors to great community events. Aimed at making York a destination, York Swings! is planning to host a series of quarterly events at the Valencia Ballroom, including the Big Swing Thing II April 27-29.

In addition to the finalists, Matthew Stinchcomb, co-founder of Etsy, and Executive Director of the Good Work Institute (previously known as etsy.org), excited Yorkers. He stressed the importance of honoring the people and the place when starting a business as a force for good.

YorIt is an initiative of York County Community Foundation (YCCF) that supports emerging socially-minded organizations adding to the vitality of York. YCCF creates a vibrant York County by engaging donors, providing community leadership, and investing in high-impact initiatives while building endowment for future generations. YCCF holds more than 500 endowed funds and assists donors and nonprofits in reaching their charitable goals, including the YorIt endowment. This means that YorIt memberships go towards ensuring the work of the YorIt Social Venture Challenge will continue to add to the vitality of York County today and forever.