TAMPA, Fla. (Oct. 9, 2018) – Ten nonprofits will soon compete for $60,000 in cash prizes through Social Venture Partners (SVP) Tampa Bay’s Fast Pitch Tampa Bay. The program helps nonprofits develop their social enterprises, which combine the social mission of a nonprofit with the market-driven approach of a business venture.
The program is designed to empower local organizations with valuable skills and insights to have the greatest impact. Nonprofit leaders first participate in SVP Tampa Bay’s rigorous, expert-led six-week business accelerator program to boost nonprofits’ abilities to achieve social enterprise revenue streams, and become less dependent on shrinking government funding and private grants.
They then participate in a “Shark Tank”-style Fast Pitch competition on Thursday, Oct. 25. During the event, the nonprofits will each give a high-energy, quick-fire presentation about the mission, vision, promise, and model for their organization – all in under three minutes.
A panel of Tampa Bay area business professionals and community members will serve as judges to assess the nonprofits’ social enterprise plans and select winners of $60,000 in cash awards. The 10 nonprofits presenting during Fast Pitch competition include:
• Indi-Ed, which empowers children by reimagining the concept of school. They’re dedicated to embracing each child’s uniqueness in order to develop passionate and successful adults.
• Sewn Apart, which is an environmentally and socially conscious, fashion-forward accessory company. Their focus is on reducing textile waste by repurposing discarded clothing.
• Shepard’s Village, which helps single moms navigate toward spiritual and emotional growth, financial freedom, career guidance, time management and conflict resolution.
• Louis Graham Regeneration Center, which provides employment for developmentally disabled adults through the recycling and sale of paper products.
• The Portico, which is a co-operative community gathering space for arts, social justice, conversation, connection and community change.
• SailFuture, which provides a comprehensive system of care for teenage foster youth in crisis, by cross-integrating housing, mental health, sailing, case management, independent living, and vocational training.
• Great Exploration’s Children’s Museum, which aims to stimulate learning through creativity, play and exploration, and offers inclusive educational programming to all youth.
• Autism Shifts, which aims to shift the current outcome that exists for people on the autism spectrum in the areas of employment, independent living, and community integration.
• Pinellas County Urban League, which aims to enrich, enhance and serve the community through leadership and resources, and by increasing social inclusion, educational competitiveness and economic prosperity through advocacy program services.
• CEED, which provides education, business development, workshops, program development, community outreach and coalition growth through a cooperative business resource center.
SVP Tampa Bay is a fund within the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay, which is a presenting partner of the Fast Pitch competition. Many other area organizations are providing support for the program through business mentoring and sponsorship.
The Fast Pitch competition takes place on Thursday, Oct. 25 at 5:30 p.m. at The Palladium, 253 5th Ave. N. in St. Petersburg. The event is open to the public, and participants and attendees will have the opportunity to connect with SVP Tampa Bay’s network of engaged philanthropists, donors, and government and cultural leaders.
Tickets are $25 and available for purchase at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/svp-tampa-bay-fast-pitch-tickets-44217296123. Register early as the 2017 Fast Pitch competition sold out.
About SVP Fast Pitch Tampa Bay
SVP Fast Pitch is a business pitch competition that supports nonprofits and social enterprises addressing critical needs and making a positive impact in the Tampa Bay region. This Social Innovation Fast Pitch is a free two-month accelerator and mentoring program followed by a pitch for innovative nonprofits that are effecting social change. Visit http://www.socialventurepartners.org/tampa-bay/fast-pitch/ for more information.
About the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay
Founded in 1990, the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay connects donors, nonprofits, community and business leaders, professional advisors, volunteers and residents to make the maximum positive impact in the Tampa Bay region. For more than 25 years, the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay has been dedicated to making giving easy and meaningful for donors as a way to strengthen nonprofit organizations and build a better, more vibrant community. Since its inception, its donors have enabled the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay to award nearly $200 million in grants to nonprofit organizations across the country.