Social Venture Partners Arizona (SVPAZ) announced the 20 local nonprofits selected as semifinalists for the 2017 Fast Pitch Competition, affectionately known in the business and philanthropic worlds as “American Idol with soul.”
Leaders from the following nonprofits will participate in a two-month mentoring program to sharpen their social impact and business plans, and to train them to succinctly and powerfully “pitch their passions” during a live event on March 28, 2017 at the Scottsdale Center for Performing Arts.
• Arizona Coalition for Military Families
• Arizona Lifelong Fitness Foundation, Inc.
• Arizona YWCA Metropolitan Phoenix
• Cancer Support Community Arizona
• Florence Crittenton Services of Arizona
• Kids Enjoy Exercise Now – Phoenix
• Labor’s Community Service Agency
• NorthBridge College Success Program
New this year, the nonprofit leaders will be joined on stage and throughout the program by three for-profit counterparts – innovative entrepreneurs who have developed for-profit businesses with social missions. Semi-finalists are:
And lastly, three student groups from Arizona State University will compete for a financial award:
• Fortune Financial
• Korwave
• Parent Check In/Check Out
Seven nonprofits, one student and one for-profit will advance to the final stage of the competition, using their training to contend for SVPAZ cash awards, as well as thousands of dollars raised during the event by attendees.
“We received so many innovative and worthwhile submissions. It was truly a challenge to narrow down this group,” said SVPAZ Executive Director Terri Wogan Calderón. “We’re thrilled with the outcome and always encouraged by the community support we receive. This competition is shaping up to be the biggest and best yet.”
Additional information about Fast Pitch, including ticket information and sponsorships, is available at fastpitchsvpaz.org.
