2010 Fast Pitch Winner BTS Communications Receives $250,000 Grant
Enhanced Online News
August 24, 2011

The Jewish Community Foundation recently announced that it has awarded a total of $1.2 million in Cutting Edge Grants to seven local nonprofit organizations whose programs seek to address social issues, Jewish education for special needs students and Jewish continuity.   Cutting Edge Grants are designed to encourage creative thinkers, social entrepreneurs and innovative organizations to develop and implement transformative programs of high visibility and impact in the Los Angeles Jewish community. “The recipients of the 2011 Cutting Edge Grants represent some of the most creative and ground-breaking thoughts and approaches to the area of social and human services in Greater Los Angeles,” said Foundation President and CEO Marvin I. Schotland.

The largest Cutting Edge Grant of $250,000 went to 2010 Social Innovation Fast Pitch Best Presentation and Judges' Favorite award winner BTS Communications.  The only advertising and social media agency housed within a drug treatment center (Beit T'Shuvah), BTS Communications is dedicated to helping their residents recover by providing professional career training in the advertising and marketing fields. Creative Director John Sullivan inspired Fast Pitch audience members and judges alike last year with the story of BTS, and impressed his Fast Pitch coaches with his fantastic progress, showing amazing improvement over just a few weeks.  To view John's final pitch, click here. 

According to Enhanced Online News, this grant will allow BTS Communications "to train and ultimately place 50 recovering interns in careers in graphic and web design, online advertising and social media marketing. The BTS interns will serve 30 Los Angeles Jewish nonprofits, including synagogues, and provide them with customized marketing and communications services at half of the prevailing rates." Chief Operating Officer Rabbi Mark Borovitz says, "This grant is a validation for the residents of Beit T’Shuvah that they matter, that the Jewish community has not forgotten them and that it supports their passion and purpose in life.”

BTS Communications is an outstanding example of the heights that Social Innovation Fast Pitch alumni continue to reach long after they have completed the program.  LASVP is proud to be a supporter of an organization that is seeing such tremendous growth and doing such unique and meaningful work to impact the lives of individuals in our community. 

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