“It shows the full-circle impact of Fast Pitch on individuals, nonprofits and the community at large. The event also propels nonprofit leaders into confident public speakers and brings the community together to support the nonprofit sector while allowing individuals to directly support the causes they care about,” said Battle.
Additionally, Battle emphasized that Fast Pitch helps nonprofits to build capacity and receive training in the creation of comprehensive marketing strategies while promoting donor connections and receiving mentorship from community leaders. All participants also receive valuable community exposure.
“It is really an opportunity for the community to learn about new and emerging nonprofits and deepen their awareness about the impact of others that are more established. All of these organizations need support, resources, storytelling and opportunities for fundraising and donor connections,” said Battle.
Ginette Gonzalez, who is pitching on behalf of Community Investment Corporation (CIC), is excited about the many benefits provided by the program.
Founded 25 years ago, CIC is a financial empowerment nonprofit that offers numerous programs, including small business lending. Through Fast Pitch, the organization is fundraising for the Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) Loan Fund, a grassroots effort that arose from the racial and social reckonings in the summer of 2020. The fund provides 0% interest loans to small BIPOC-owned businesses.
“BIPOC entrepreneurs are denied credit at twice the rate of white entrepreneurs and an average of only 60% of BIPOC entrepreneurs who secure a loan receive the full amount that they apply for,” said Gonzalez, digital marketing manager for CIC.
CIC works with partners in the community to reimagine lending and separate small business loans from credit checks and assets, according to Gonzalez. The BIPOC Fund relies on a committee comprised of community leaders of color who base loan approval on the story of each business and its impact in the community.
“Lending is asset-based, which means that traditionally people who already have something are given more and those who don’t are left out. We applied creative thinking to give loans that ‘flip the script,’ as we say at CIC,” said Gonzalez.
After approval, CIC staff works with the small businesses to provide guidance with paperwork and documentation to set the small businesses up for success.
Ultimately, Gonzalez said that she has high hopes for raising funds for the BIPOC Loan Fund at the upcoming event.
“I feel so passionate about the work they do and the confidence that has been placed in me. I think it speaks to the culture of CIC. Their tagline is, ‘We know your worth,’ and I love that. So many people and small businesses struggle with self-worth and to have a company that says, ‘We know your worth’ and puts their money where their mouth is with things like the BIPOC Loan Fund makes all the difference,” said Gonzalez.
