15 Nonprofit Case Competitions for High School Students
If you’re a high school student curious about how nonprofits work, case competitions are a solid way to get practical experience. They let you study problems, design solutions, and present your ideas while practicing skills like teamwork and communication. These competitions are usually open to students across the country, with many rounds happening online. Some focus on local community challenges, while others deal with larger global issues.
By joining, you not only learn how nonprofits operate but also get a chance to test your problem-solving skills. Participating in case competitions can also help your college applications. It shows admissions officers that you took the time to explore something meaningful outside of class and worked on challenges that matter to society.
To help you get started, here’s a list of 15 nonprofit case competitions for high school students!
15 Nonprofit Case Competitions for High School Students
1. Young Founders Lab
Cost: Varies according to program. There is need-based financial aid.
Location: This program is 100% virtual, with live, interactive workshops
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer, fall, winter, and spring
Application Deadline: Varies according to cohort. You can access the application link here!
Eligibility: The program is currently open to all high school students
The Young Founder’s Lab is a real-world start-up boot camp founded and run by Harvard entrepreneurs. In this program, you will work towards building a revenue-generating start-up that addresses a real-world problem. You will also have the opportunity to be mentored by established entrepreneurs and professionals from Google, Microsoft, and X. Apart from building the start-up itself, you will also participate in interactive classes on business fundamentals and business ideations, workshops and skill-building sessions, case studies, panel discussions, and more. You can check out the brochure for the program here.
2. Students for the Advancement of Global Entrepreneurship (SAGE)
Location: Competition begins at the local and national level, after which qualifying teams proceed to the global stage
Cost: Not specified
Dates: Zoom presentation time slots available between May 2 and 16; results will be announced on May 23; the World Cup takes place in September
Application Deadline: May 2
Eligibility: Students between the ages of 13 and 19
The Students for the Advancement of Global Entrepreneurship (SAGE) is a competition for high school students. You create business ideas that address social or environmental problems, and your pitches are judged on social impact, innovation, sustainability, business model, and presentation. While it's not a case competition, you can work on non-profit aligned business ideas and work on problem statements as part of the contest. The competition has various stages. You start by developing your idea at school and refining it with a mentor. Teams then present at a national competition to improve their ideas and presentation while getting feedback. The top two teams from each country are invited to the SAGE World Cup to present their ideas internationally.
3. Citizen Entrepreneurship Competition
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Dates: May 12–August 12
Application Deadline: July 10
Eligibility: Students aged 13 or older, global
The Citizen Entrepreneurship Competition (CEC) is a social impact-based business competition. You need to submit your ideas while also committing to integrating one or more of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into your business idea. The program consists of three phases, where you first submit your idea with a short pitch. When accepted, you will be invited to attend an entrepreneurial course and work on your pitch. The second phase is where you can vote for the ideas you find best, which will then proceed to the final round, where pitches will be judged by an expert jury. This program takes the form of a business pitch competition, yet its focus on sustainable solutions makes it highly relevant for students interested in gaining hands-on experience to explore non-profit ideas.
4. Global Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge
Location: Virtual
Cost: 10,000 yen (approx $70)
Competition Date: May 17
Application Deadline: March 21
Eligibility: High school students aged between 14 and 18; all members of a team should be from the same high school
The Global Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge (GYEC) is an online business competition centered around social impact. Your pitch should be both sustainable and innovative, addressing a global issue such as education, social welfare, sustainability, or another relevant topic. Your business ideas should also be science or technology-based. This program takes the form of an innovation challenge, yet its teamwork and problem-solving-based format makes it reflect the dynamics of case competitions. Teams consist of 3–8 students. The competition consists of two phases, during which teams must solve a given challenge within 12 hours. You need to submit your ideas along with a video presentation, which will then be judged on criteria such as creativity and innovation, finance and production, marketing, and communication.
5. GENIUS Entrepreneurship Olympiad
Location: Initial application and selection rounds are conducted virtually; further rounds take place in-person at Rochester Institute of Technology, New York, NY
Cost: $50 application fee; If selected as a finalist, the finals registration fee is approximately $500
Dates: March–June (exact dates not specified)
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: International and U.S. high school students in grades 8–12, minimum age of 13
The GENIUS Entrepreneurship Olympiad is a competition that focuses on environment- and sustainability-focused business ideas. Each idea will be presented by up to two students, and you’ll develop a pitch for an innovative business that reduces human impact on the environment. Although structured as an Olympiad, its sustainability focus and mission-driven solutions make it a valuable experience for students drawn to non-profit case competitions. You can propose a new idea, tweak an existing one to make it more sustainable, or create an idea that helps other businesses become greener. Each idea should have a comprehensive business plan that includes market analysis, market value, target audience, competitors, and market dynamics. Your concept will also be evaluated on its feasibility, with entries required to include implementation costs, expected outcomes, challenges, and a competitive advantage.
6. Diamond Challenge
Location: Initial rounds take place virtually; Final round takes place at the University of Delaware, Newark, DE
Cost: Free
Dates: September–April
Application Deadline: January 12
Eligibility: High school students aged between 14 and 18; each team should consist of 2–4 students with one adult advisor aged 21 or older
The Diamond Challenge is a competition that allows students to present their business ideas. Teams will consist of 2–4 students, with an adult advisor. Teams have to choose between two tracks: Business Innovation or Social Innovation. The former focuses on solving a problem to generate profit, whereas social innovation addresses a social issue and brings about positive change. Although structured primarily as a business competition, the dedicated Social Innovation track ensures that students interested in non-profit and impact-based ventures find it closely aligned.
7. WSI Impact League
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Dates: Idea Submission: December 9; First Round Judging: January; Top 10 Finalists Announced: February 20; Finalist Pitch Videos Due: March 8; Winners Announced: April 21
Application Deadline: December 9
Eligibility: Students between the ages of 13-24; can compete as teams or solo
The WSI Impact League is a case competition where you can work on social impact solutions. You can choose from various challenges, including mental health, natural resources, economic growth, renewable energy, climate action, and financial education. With a focus on team-based brief solving and sustainability-driven challenges, the competition cultivates the same mission-driven thinking emphasized in non-profit contests. You will compete in teams, where you will review different challenge briefs and submit your ideas online. Pitches will be judged on criteria such as impact, creativity, and relation to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. The competition includes webinars, workshops, and support for idea development and design thinking.
8. BIG Idea Competition
Location: Initial rounds are online; final presentations differ based on residency
Cost: Free
Dates: Competition Launch: September 1; Account Creation Deadline: October 24; Entry Submission Deadline: October 31; Finalists Notified: Mid-November; Final Event - Virtual: December 9 via Zoom (for out-of-state students); In-Person: December 10at Northern State University, Aberdeen, SD
Application Deadline: October 31
Eligibility: High school student currently enrolled in public, private, or home school setting; Teams of up to three students
The BIG Idea Competition is a contest where participants pitch business ideas that solve social problems. The competition encourages you to observe your surroundings, identify what is missing in your community, find an issue that affects many people, and then create an innovative solution to address it. You can focus your pitch on problems such as natural disasters, the sustainable use of products, or areas that are often overlooked. To enter, you must submit a 1,075-word description of your idea. Those selected will be invited to a competition where they present their idea to a panel of judges.
9. Future Problem Solving World Solutions Challenge
Location: Virtual or in-person through regional affiliates (students without locations near them can participate virtually)
Cost: Not specified
Dates: Topic Announcement: March 1; Initial Submission (Practice Problem 1): Fall; Practice Problem 2 Submission: Late Fall; Qualifying Problem Submission: Early January; Affiliate Finals Submission: Spring; International Conference (World Finals): June 10–14
Application Deadline: Varies based on regional affiliates
Eligibility: Students in grades 10-12; teams of up to 4 members or individuals
The World Solutions Challenge is an impact-driven competition for high school students. Topics cover challenges in business, civics, society, science, and technology. While framed as an impact challenge, the phased structure and judged presentations make this a case competition in scope and format. You have three weeks to analyze a current issue and develop an action plan using a problem-solving process. The competition provides a toolkit to guide your submission. Teams must submit an action plan along with a video, podcast, or graphics that show how they plan to execute it. The competition takes place in phases, with problem topics assigned at each stage. Teams that advance through the regional finals can present their idea at an international conference.
10. Harvard Crimson Business Competition
Location: Preliminary round takes place virtually; The championship round takes place at Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Not specified
Dates: Preliminary Round Registration Opens: December; Preliminary Round Registration Closes: April 6; Qualifiers Announced: March – April; Championship Round Registration Deadline: June 10; Championship Round: June 25 – July 2
Application Deadline: April 6
Eligibility: Students from grades 10–12
The Harvard Crimson Business Competition is a global business innovation competition that challenges high school students to develop social impact business ideas. While framed as a business innovation contest, its phased structure, judging rounds, and focus on solution design closely align with case competitions. You have to make a pitch addressing a global challenge, identify its potential, and develop a sustainable business plan to address it. The six global challenges you can choose from include sustainable development, quality education, economic development, climate-conscious transportation, food security, and cybersecurity. Once you pass the preliminary round, the championship rounds give you access to workshops, mentorship, networking, and presentation coaching.
11. Conrad Challenge
Location: Virtual
Cost: $499
Dates: January to April
Application Deadline: November 5
Eligibility: Students aged 13-18, in teams of 2-5 students
The Conrad Challenge is a STEM innovation and entrepreneurship competition. Participating teams will develop solutions to problems across various categories, including Aerospace & Aviation, Cyber-Technology & Security, Energy & Environment, and Health & Nutrition. Although described as a challenge, its multiphase format and judged presentations align it closely with case competitions. The initial phase includes submitting a brief video, followed by the Innovation Summit, where finalists will pitch live to a jury. Pitches will not just be judged based on feasibility but also on potential impact. Previous Conrad Challenge winners have worked on projects such as low-cost water purification systems, eco-friendly materials, and health-tech devices.
12. eCYBERMISSION
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Dates: Registration: August 15; Initial Submission: Mar 10; Finalists Announced: May 2; National Finals June 23–27
Application Deadline: March 10
Eligibility: High school freshmen; grades 6-9
eCYBERMISSION is a STEM competition where students choose community problems and address them using STEM and engineering solutions. You learn to identify and solve problems in your community and receive mentorship from STEM professionals. The competition’s focus on community-based problem-solving and structured judging rounds provides practical experience for students interested in non-profit case competitions. The competition progresses through state, regional, and national rounds. All submissions receive feedback through scoring rubrics and written comments. Past winning teams have worked on projects such as prairie restoration, livestock water safety, microplastic filtration, and food waste prevention. Regional Finalist teams can also apply for a STEM-In-Action Grant to implement their solution locally.
13. Case Catalyst
Location: Virtual
Cost: $400
Dates: Competition Launch Day: November 9; Competition Phase (Solve the Case): November 9–28; Submission Deadline: November 29; Finalists Announced: December 5; Pitch Preparation: December 5–13; Pitch Day: December 14
Application Deadline: November 2
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12; global eligibility; teams of 3–4 students, or individually
CaseCatalyst is a case competition where high school students work on real challenges faced by startups and deliver solutions. You work in teams of 3-4, and selected teams present their solutions to key decision-makers at the startup. The competition follows a structured approach to equip students with collaborative and mission-driven problem-solving skills that will also be useful for those interested in nonprofit work. The competition provides practical experience and a glimpse into the life of a consultant. You receive mentorship from professionals at MBB firms and attend workshops on research, pitching, and writing. Teams submit their solution as a 2-page write-up, a slide deck, and a 3–5 minute video. The winning team can strengthen their academic profile by interning with the startup and potentially implementing their solution.
14. Blue Ocean Competition
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Dates: Initial Submission: February 22; Top 100 Announcement: April 6; Top 30 Announcement: April 22; Top 10 Announcement: May 4; Winners Announced: May 13
Application Deadline: February 22
Eligibility: High school students; global eligibility
The Blue Ocean Competition is a business competition for high school students focused on social issues. You explore high-value, low-cost business ideas that create new market opportunities. Although described as a business competition, its focus on innovative solutions for social problems and the judged presentations make it relevant for students interested in nonprofit-based case competitions. Ideas can be original inventions or improvements to existing solutions, as long as you can demonstrate their viability.
15. Ivey High School Case Competitions (IHSCC)
Location: Multiple cities across Canada - Vancouver (British Columbia), Montreal (Quebec), Calgary (Alberta), and London (Ontario)
Cost: Free
Dates: Spring (exact dates to be announced in the new year)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10 through 12; global eligibility
The Ivey High School Case Competitions are dynamic one-day events hosted annually by Ivey Business School at Western University. Open to high school students worldwide, these competitions immerse you in real-world business challenges while helping you build problem-solving, teamwork, and presentation skills. You’ll work in teams to analyze cases inspired by actual scenarios and present your solutions to panels of judges made up of Ivey faculty and business professionals.