About Us.

Impact League is a youth-powered seed fund for social good. We invest directly in students through micro-grants, mentorship, and a community of encouragement. There is no gatekeeping and no fluff. Just belief in young people’s ability to solve real problems when given the tools and trust to try.

It’s part coaching, part catalyst, and part rebellion against the idea that youth must wait their turn.

Three young adults jumping and smiling outdoors in a snowy landscape, with leafless trees and a building in the background.

What motivated the inception of Impact League.

Too often, we ask students to jump through hoops, chase grades, and perform for a system that rarely asks them who they are or what they care about. We call it preparation, but we rarely offer true agency. We push outcomes without nurturing ownership.

Impact League was built as a response to that.

This isn't about college admissions, resumes, or checking boxes.

It's about something deeper: helping students find their “why,” explore meaningful problems, and build something that matters—on their terms.

A group of young people giving a presentation to an audience in a conference room. One person is holding a sign, and a screen displays a comparison chart.

Mission Statement.

Impact League empowers youth (ages 13–19) to develop authentic solutions to real-world problems. We help young changemakers develop agency, build capacity, and amplify impact where it matters most.

Meet the Team

  • A smiling man with a short beard and buzz cut hairstyle outdoors, with trees and a mountain in the background.

    Scott Merkel

    FOUNDER

  • A young woman with long dark wavy hair wearing a white sleeveless dress, standing outdoors in a grassy area with trees in the background, smiling at the camera.

    Ellison Namba

    YOUTH ADVISOR

  • A woman with brown hair smiling, wearing a purple top, against a blue background.

    Alissa Bridges

    ADVISOR

Build something that matters — on your terms.