Social Venture Partners Tucson hosted its annual Fast Pitch on March 30, a unique event designed to bring the community together to transform local nonprofits.
SVP Tucson comprises partnerships between individuals, businesses, nonprofits, donors and volunteers. This network leverages donor and volunteer capital through Fast Pitch, which has helped raise more than $1.5 million for local nonprofit programs, initiatives and organizations since its inception in 2015.
At SVP Tucson’s Main Event each year, organizations make a three-minute pitch to a live audience of donors and take their shot at over $100,000 in on-stage grants. This year, with the help of generous sponsors and a $40,000 matching grant by the Connie J. Hillman Family Foundation, the event funneled more than $208,000 to eight participating nonprofits:
Community Investment Corporation
Educational Enrichment Foundation
IMPACT of Southern Arizona
Just Communities Arizona
Liberty Partnership Community Council
Mobile Meals of Southern Arizona
Southern Arizona Legal Aid, Inc.
Southern Arizona Research, Science and
Engineering Foundation
“One of the things we continue to see every year is a real sense of the community coming together to take action,” said Ciara Garcia, CEO of SVP Tucson. “There are multiple ways for people to engage at Fast Pitch. They meet different nonprofits and discover organizations that tug at their heart strings or align with their values, and we encourage them to get involved with those nonprofits.”
The community exposure is also invaluable, providing nonprofits a first step in making connections. Long-term relationships through volunteerism, involvement on boards of directors and other support are the ultimate goals. Virtual broadcast of the Main Event also offers global publicity and additional potential support.
“Nonprofit leaders showcase their unique stories and through storytelling, we find where we fit in and how we can help build a better Tucson and Southern Arizona with awareness, knowledge and generosity,” said Brittany Battle, director of Fast Pitch.
Research has shown that Fast Pitch-participating nonprofits experience an average growth in revenue of 144%, and 70% secure Fast Pitch-related donations years later, Garcia said. This year, each nonprofit received at least two financial awards at the event.
“All of the nonprofits were big winners,” added Battle. “Every nonprofit went home with significant funding that will strengthen and support their efforts in the community. This year, multiple awards went to each nonprofit and it was a beautiful, equitable distribution of funding with the audience directly supporting causes they care about.”
