Nominations are open for the Social Innovation Fast Pitch!
LASVP, Social Enterprise Institute, University of Southern California
June 15, 2009

By Diane Helfrey

LASVP is once again co-hosting the Social Innovation Fast Pitch program with the Social Enterprise Institute and the University of Southern California. The Social Innovation Fast Pitch is a two-month training and mentoring program for innovative nonprofits that are effecting social change in Greater Los Angeles, culminating in the Social Innovation Fast Pitch competition and showcase on November 11, 2009.

The goal of the Social Innovation Fast Pitch program is to build the capacity of and create visibility for innovative local nonprofits and the social entrepreneurs who lead them. Nonprofits are nominated and selected to participate based on their innovative approaches to creating social change and their potential for significant positive community impact. Leaders from 20 organizations will participate in the program, where they will receive training, feedback and mentoring on how to succinctly and powerfully “tell their story”. Past participants have stated that the program was invaluable, resulting in greater confidence and effectiveness when making presentations, increased exposure for their organization and additional support from new donors and volunteers.

At the event, up to 10 finalists will make three-minute “pitches” to a panel of judges and an audience of more than 300 investors, business and nonprofit leaders, and other members of Southern California's entrepreneurial community. Participating nonprofits will compete to win grants of up to $10,000. Last year’s prize winners include Everyone Deserves a Roof, Environmental Charter High School and Saint Barnabus Senior Services. (To watch a highlight reel of last year’s event, see www.socialinnovationpitch.org.)

We are seeking nominations of local nonprofits to participate in the 2009 Social Innovation Fast Pitch program. The deadline for nominations is July 7th.  For details on eligibility criteria, requirements of participants, and other information, review our Call for Nominations document, and our website, www.socialinnovationpitch.org.   

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