BizPHILANTHROPY
Nonprofit All-Stars
Fast Pitch Finalists Stand Out in Virtual Showcase By Monica Surfaro Spigelman A pandemic was the unlikely catalyst that led Social Venture Partners Tucson to retool its Fast Pitch competition showcase – which has strengthened infrastructure, built leadership and pumped positive impact into Tucson’s nonprofits in its six years. “Operating as we have in the past simply was not good enough,” said SVP Tucson CEO Ciara Garcia. The traditionally in-person networking fundraiser morphed last spring into
an online interactive experience. The result was Fast Pitch’s largest ever ticketed audience – 570 (355 purchased, 215 sponsored) from 23 cities and five countries – Japan, Australia, Spain, India and Canada. Multi-language chats posted alongside pitch videos raised some $218,762 in sponsor awards, community donations and matching grants – the most since the program’s inception.
“This diverse class and their stories were unique in many ways,” Garcia said. “We have never seen this level of connection among the participants, despite the virtual aspects required.” Since 2015, SVP Tucson has injected more than $1 million into the community and trained 78 nonprofits in effective donor connection. Fast Pitch 2021 featured these organizations.
Boys & Girls Clubs bgctucson.org Yvonne Pysher, presenter SVP Tucson Together Award ($1,000) Steve Goulding Celebration of Life Award ($2,000) Marshall Foundation Class of 2021 Award ($500)
Boys To Men Tucson’s volunteer mentors strengthen communities by guiding middle and high school boys on their journey to manhood. Mentors are recruited and supported with a variety of programs and events, including adventure outings and intergenerational healthy masculinity initiatives.
Make Way for Books makewayforbooks.org Fernando González, presenter SVP Tucson Together Award ($1,000) Steve Goulding Celebration of Life Award ($2,000) Marshall Foundation Class of 2021 Award ($500)
The Boys & Girls Club of Tucson gives youth access to caring staff and safe spaces that enhance lives and shape futures. The clubhouse provides programs on education, careers, character, leadership, arts, health and life skills.
JobPath jobpath.net Sarah Henderson, presenter SVP Tucson Together Award ($1,000) Steve Goulding Celebration of Life Award ($2,000) Marshall Foundation Class of 2021 Award ($500)
Make Way for Books provides early-literacy programs, services and resources to 30,000 Southern Arizona children, parents and educators.
Boys To Men Tucson btmtucson.com Michael Brasher, presenter AZ Complete Health Community Transformation Award ($5,000) Connie Hillman Family Foundation Community Catalyst Award ($15,000) Steve Goulding Celebration of Life Award ($2,000) Marshall Foundation Class of 2021 Award ($500)
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Summer 2021
JobPath helps underserved adults get into in-demand, high-wage careers by fast-tracking education and job-training programs. The Pima County Interfaith Council and other community leaders founded the workforce development and advocacy agency to remove barriers in education and career development.
Native Music Coalition nativemusiccoalition.org Vince Flores, presenter Community Foundation for Southern Arizona Equity Award ($5,000) Maley-Schaffner Innovative Solutions Award ($5,000) Steve Goulding Celebration of Life Award ($2,000) Marshall Foundation Class of 2021 Award ($500) Indigenous artists formed the Native Music Coalition to help tribal youth combat
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