What is a “Fast Pitch”?
Borrowing from the popular venture capitalist “elevator pitch,” the PSVP Fast Pitch is a two-month program designed to build the capacity of and create visibility for innovative local nonprofits and the social entrepreneurs who lead them. Leaders will participate in the Fast Pitch coaching program where they will receive training and feedback on how to succinctly and powerfully “tell their story.” Through the process, they will also build valuable cross-sector relationships.
PSVP annually seeks nominations from the region’s most innovative nonprofits, those that are providing services in a creative manner. Nonprofits are selected for their entrepreneurial approach to creating social change, as well as their ability to powerfully communicate their vision. The training program will culminate with an evening event showcasing up to ten finalists who will compete for over $30,000 in grants.
What distinguishes the PSVP approach?
- Pitch presenters are partnered with two personal coaches/mentors from the professional community to serve as advisors and sounding boards in preparation for event night.
- Event night brings together more than 300 people from the business, academic, foundation and nonprofit sectors. At the opening reception, nonprofit finalists will also have an informal opportunity to interact and network with attendees of the Fast Pitch event.
- Cash grants of over $30,000 are awarded.
How does this support capacity building in nonprofits?
PSVP is providing a program that helps train nonprofit leaders how to effectively message their organization and its needs. Nonprofits that have participated tell us that the training they receive helps them target their messages more succinctly and directly. The participating nonprofits are provided with the tools and resources to improve their communication, increase their fundraising success and elevate their profile, all tools that will lead to greater success—especially in today’s economy. We believe the Social Innovation Fast Pitch will help participating nonprofits become more efficient and more successful, at the same time they have the opportunity to compete for grants.
How does the process work?
A Selection Committee reviews all submissions and based on the criteria invite 14 semifinalists to participate. In the period leading up to the event, the semi-finalists will participate in group and individual coaching sessions to help them distill the key elements of their stories, missions, impact and needs into a three-minute presentation. The coaches will select up to ten finalists to present at the event.
What kind of training will the participants receive?
The formal training process begins in January, and includes three group sessions. Additionally, individual, on-site meetings with coaches are conducted in between the group sessions to hone the pitch into a crisp three-minute presentation. The group meeting times are as follows:
- Initial meeting: Semi-finalists will meet each other and the coaches, and begin the joint process of preparation for the Fast Pitch.
- First run-through: Semi-finalists will deliver their pitches in front of the coaches and other semi-finalists who will provide immediate feedback on their presentation.
- Final run-through: The coaches will vote to reduce the field of 14 semi-finalists to ten finalists.
What are the Program Participation Requirements?
- Attend the three coaching sessions. Attendance at the three sessions is required to remain eligible for selection as a finalist.
- Fully participate and commit to the training process, i.e., be able to deliver the final pitch without visual or audio aids, be available and prompt for individual meetings with assigned coaches, and be open to advice and coaching.
- Be able to articulate how people can help the organization through volunteering, connections, or other in-kind support.
What will happen on event night?
The evening event will feature presentations by ten of Allegheny County’s most innovative nonprofit organizations. Following the presentations, the following awards will be given (an
organization may only win in one category):
- Audience Award: The audience will be instructed on the criteria for voting. Each voter will receive a paper ballot to select a 1st, 2nd and 3rd choice. There will be two cash prizes awarded.
- The Judges’ Award: This will go to the organization which, in the judges’ view, shows the strongest combination of innovation, potential for impact, and quality of pitch. There will be one cash prize awarded.
- The Coaches’ Award: This award will be given to the presenter that best uses the coaching experience and the stated criteria to improve his/her pitch. There will be one cash prize awarded.
The nonprofits will participate in a networking reception where attendees can interact with the nonprofit presenters.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to volunteer and/or contribute monetarily to any of the finalists at the networking reception following the evening’s presentations.
What is PSVP’s commitment to program participants?
- To provide greater visibility for nonprofits in the Pittsburgh philanthropic, business and civic-minded communities.
- To expand the number of individuals and organizations that know about and value the innovation, accountability and operational stability practiced in the nonprofit sector.
- To value and build upon the experience and knowledge that the Fast Pitch nonprofit presenters possess.
Who is organizing The PSVP Social Innovation Fast Pitch?
Pittsburgh Social Venture Partners (PSVP) is a network of individuals who care passionately about making our community a better place, especially for at-risk youth. Partners give of their time, experience, expertise and Applications will be accepted until midnight on Wednesday, November 30, 2011 finances to support innovative non-profits. PSVP’s model for putting these ideals into action include “Pitch” events where leading-edge programs are given a platform to be heard by Pittsburgh’s larger philanthropic community. What results are networking, grant making, and relationship building between PSVP and local nonprofits -offering PSVP Partners meaningful opportunities to foster change right here at home. The end result is a new kind of giving: Engaged Philanthropy.
Over 10 years, PSVP has invested over $800,000 and upwards of 2,000 hours of professional, hands-on consulting to nonprofits in our community, not to mention leveraging an estimated $10 million in additional support.
PSVP is a 501(c)3 non profit, and partnering with the Allegheny County Department of Human Services, Allegheny County United Way, The Pittsburgh Foundation, and other local foundations and business leaders.
Information For Future Applicants:
What do I need to know to apply?
- Applicants must have a 501(c)3 designation (individuals are not eligible).
- Preference is given to organizations that are headquartered in Allegheny County; organizations located outside this designation must be able to demonstrate significant operations within the County.
- Nonprofit social enterprises that employ revenue-generating strategies for some or all of their income are allowed.
- There are no restrictions based on organizational size, budget or mission.
- There are no costs to participate in the program or for finalists who present at the event.
- Ineligible to apply are: (1) individuals, (2) current PSVP investees, and (3) programs that were featured on the Fast Pitch stage in February 2011.
What are the selection criteria?
PSVP’s goal is to put ten nonprofits from Allegheny County on stage that have exciting stories to tell about their innovative nonprofits. They may be delivering significant social impact in creative and effective ways. They may be pioneering new products or services or delivering them in new ways or to new groups of people. They may be using advanced technologies or leveraging collaborations with other nonprofits, businesses or public groups. They may be employing new organizational structures or new business models, such as social enterprises to create earned income or employment. We are seeking such organizations to participate in future Social Innovation Fast Pitches. Following are innovation criteria that the Selection Committee will use to evaluate applications:
- Reaching an audience that others have not engaged or found hard to engage.
- Creating better or more effective products, processes, technologies, or ideas.
- Achieving results that have the potential for significantly greater impact than traditional approaches.