Two popular Oakland youth nonprofits are in the running for a cash prize from Pepsi and with only 2 days left in for voting, they could use some help making the final cut.

The team from the Hood Games skateboarding festival and Youth Movement Records is competing against over 700 applicants nationwide for a portion of the $250,000 prize from the Pepsi Refresh Project. According to the website, the contest was established to support entrepreneurs, community organizations and businesses with projects "that will have a positive impact" on local communities. Applicants submit proposals under one of several categories including health, arts and culture, food and shelter, neighborhoods or education and are eligible for prizes ranging from $5,000 to $250,000. The top 10 finishers from each category win cash prizes and the Oakland "Vert Event Series" is currently ranked number 22 in the arts category.

The team's proposal details plans for a series of three large scale indoor skateboarding, music and multimedia events. Each event will include skateboarding contests and demonstrations as well as a strong networking component designed to "provide meaningful opportunities for adult-youth mentorship." The project will also produce a music and video series and several original pieces of art related to the events.

The proposal is essentially a large scale extension of the work both groups have been doing separately for years. Youth Movement Records has been mentoring, teaching music production and providing an outlet for youth expression since 2003. Hood Games, started by Oakland artist Karl "K Dub" Watson and skater Paul "P-Rod" Rodriguez in 2005 has produced urban skateboarding events in Oakland, San Francisco, Napa, Los Angeles, Los Vegas and Long Beach.

Voting for the contest ends on February 28th and individuals can vote on up to 10 proposals a day. More info and a list of projects is available on the website.

If you're interesting in finding out more about Hood Games, stop by the Oakland Has a Death Wish skate jam Sunday at Town Point Park in West Oakland.