Fast Pitch 2016 Recap

In early March, Social Venture Partners Arizona hosted its annual Fast Pitch program, attracting a record number 600 attendees.

Held at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, eight Phoenix-area nonprofits and one student group from Arizona State University competed for $60,000 in cash awards and grants. After hearing the pitches, community leaders, business executives and philanthropists in attendance donated an additional $40,000.

SVPAZ Executive Director Terry Wogan-Calderón reflected on the 2016 program, sharing “Fast Pitch is a wonderful example of how just a few members of our community are capable of effecting change on such a large, powerful scale. Each year, the nonprofit leaders raise the bar, and this year was no different. Our winners are creative, cunning and will no doubt make a life-altering impact in Arizona and beyond.”

Winners of the 2016 Fast Pitch include:

• ONe TRUe LOVe received the SVPAZ Award, which includes a year of business mentorship from SVP Partners ($25,000) and the ASU Rob & Melani Walton Sustainability Solutions Award ($2,500)
• Homeless ID Project – Judge’s Award ($10,000) and Audience Choice Award ($2,500)
• Resilient Me – Kiita “Get Up & Go” Award ($7,500) and Mentor’s Choice Award ($2,500)
• and the ASU Student Award ($2,000) went to Literacy For All, Inc.

The evening event is a culmination of an eight-week program in which 20 nonprofits received coaching and technical expertise from the business and philanthropic community to help hone their message and build a foundation for future success. The finalists each had three minutes to pitch a panel of judges. Fast Pitch dares to ask the question: “How can you change the world in three minutes?” The eight finalists who competed for funding on stage included leaders from the following nonprofits:

• Code Clubs of Arizona
• Discovery Triangle Development Corporation (Fresh Express by Discovery Triangle)
• Homeless ID Project
• Hunkapi Programs, Inc.
• Local First Arizona Foundation
• ONe TRUe LOVe
• ResilientMe
• Young Artist Society

Congratulations to all the winners and participants!

FAST PITCH 2017

In anticipation of the 2017 Fast Pitch program, SVPAZ is launching its Fast Pitch application period from September 15 until October 28. Two information sessions will be hosted during the application process. The first session will be Thursday, Sept. 8 from 8:30-9:30 a.m. and the second will be on Thursday, Sept. 15 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Both session will be held at the Arizona Community Foundation. For more information, please contact Cindy Vandervort.

Take your company’s visibility to the next level as a Fast Pitch Sponsor. There are a number of levels and ways to get involved. If you’re interested in becoming a sponsor or have a prospective organization, please contact Sentari Minor.

We’re looking to another great Fast Pitch season!