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Over $75,000 awarded to nonprofits in Social Venture Partners’ fifth annual Fast Pitch competition


The Duke Energy Convention Center was filled with over 600 supporters and guests recently cheering on the 11 Finalists in Social Venture Partners’ (SVP) fifth annual Fast Pitch competition.
 
Each Finalist gave a passionate, fast-paced “Pitch” presentation packed into only three minutes.  The Finalists worked very hard on their pitches – participating in workshops, learning the art of storytelling and getting individual coaching from SVP Partners. 

 

SVP’s Fast Pitch 2018 connects social innovators with business and philanthropic leaders who help them tell their stories and amplify their impact. Through the three-month program, innovators hone their ideas and messages through workshops and mentoring.

“While the training and award money are what first attracts nonprofits to Fast Pitch, the participants tell us they really value the networking and connections they make that can produce added donations” says Ruth Klette, SVP Partner and Trustee at Elsa M. Heisel Sule Foundation.  The Else Heisel Sule Foundation generously supports the $15,000 grand prize.
 
The pitchers’ hard work really paid off.  The crowd was moved and captivated as they enthusiastically applauded each Finalist.  
 
After all Finalists had given their pitches, it was time to award over $75,000 in unrestricted grant money and scholarships.
 
Winners of the Juried Awards were selected by a panel of judges including Dick Murgatroyd from the Elsa Heisel Sule Foundation, O’dell Owens from Interact for Health, Robert Killins from The Greater Cincinnati Foundation, Craig Young from Inspiring service and Jen Daugherty from Social Venture Partners. 

The winners were:
 
· Sweet Cheeks Diaper Bank – Grand Prize sponsored by Elsa Heisel Sule Foundation
· Rosemary’s Babies – Second Prize sponsored by Interact for Health
· La Soupe – Third prize sponsored by The Greater Cincinnati Foundation
· Merit Awards were sponsored by Total Quality Logistics and The Manuel D. & Rhoda Mayerson Foundation and were awarded to Finalists:

o A Voice for the Innocent
o Cornerstone Renter Equity
o Drug Free Clubs of America
o Elementz
o Ohio Valley Voices
o Project Yoga
o Women Helping Women
 
Other juried awards included:

· Venice on Vine – Flywheel Social Enterprise Award
· WAVE Foundation – Inspiring Service Volunteer Engagement Award
 
Audience award winners were:

· Refugee Connect – Student Choice Award sponsored by Jacob G. Schmidlapp Trusts, Fifth Third Bank Trustee.  This award was voted on by the 100 college students in the audience whose attendance was also sponsored by Jacob G. Schmidlapp Trusts, Fifth Third Bank Trustee.
· La Soupe – Audience Choice Award sponsored by Social Venture Partners Cincinnati
· Cornerstone Renter Equity – SVP Partner Pick Award
 
Other Awards included:

· Drug Free Clubs of America – Fast Pitch Ticket Sales Award
· A Voice for the Innocent – Social Media Award
 
All Finalists also received a check for $1,000 from Pro Bono Partnership of Ohio and three hours of Executive Coaching from International Coach Federation – Ohio Valley Charter Chapter also valued at $1,000. They also received $500 from Inspiring Service for providing information when applying for the Volunteer Engagement Award. 
 
“Fast Pitch is just one of the ways that Social Venture Partners Cincinnati is fulfilling its mission to cultivate effective philanthropists, strengthen nonprofits and build collaborative relationships for social change” says SVP Cincinnati Board Chairperson, Jennifer Daugherty. “Fast Pitch is not only effective, it’s a fun way to engage the community in philanthropy.”
 


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One Comment

  1. Rosemary's Babies Co. says:

    Ths was a great night! We learned so much and arecso grateful for the opportunity to share our message.

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