Fitwits has been out making friends in the local as well as national community. A team of students in an entrepreneurial course at the Tepper School of Business presented their proposed business strategy for Fitwits on May 8th. The students were impressed with the concept and suggested exploring social media as a way to garner the attention of children and pursuing insurance providers for the funding of future Fitwits programs.
An additional friendship was formed with Innovation Works who awarded $25,000 to help transition Fitwits into the digital world. Innovation Works is best known for “fueling the technology economy in Southwestern PA through direct investments and business expertise. Every year, they help hundreds of entrepreneurs, researchers and small manufacturers to create new markets and change the world with their ideas and innovations.” Carnegie Mellon Gap Funds has provided matching funds of $30,000 in show of their support of Fitwits.
The past two months, Kristin Hughes has also been working with teachers and parents in McKeesport, PA running a series of workshops in an effort to revise the curriculum for the 6-month in-school game. Keri Garland, who has training in primary and secondary education along with 10 years experience in the non-profit sector, was hired to facilitate the workshops. She has been a wonderful addition to the team.
Then Fitwits was introduced to Seth Rosenberg of Socius Partner, LLC. Seth brings years of experience, insight and knowledge to build a report that details high-level components and economics of a new business model for Fitwits. His strategy will incorporate any learning gleaned from the PSVP funds used to bring in Scott Nash from NashBox Studios to consult with Fitwits. Scott is the founding partner of BIG BLUE DOT, Corey McPherson Nash and NASHBOX. He has developed an expertise in the branding and creative development of products and programming for the entertainment, consumer product and publishing worlds. Scott’s consulting event with Fitwits is scheduled for June 11th.
Some friendships still to be solidified are in the insurance and legal world. Fitwits has been in conversation with United Health insurance group about a possible collaboration and the team is in need of a lawyer who can help with trade-mark and copy-right law. Send suggestions our way at info@psvp.org.
On May 7th, fifteen partners gathered at the HYP Club for dinner to explore how to link passion and purpose in leadership – specifically in context to serving on nonprofit boards. This is a timely discussion at PSVP, where two investees are asking us to assist them with developing their advisory boards. Similarly, many Partners who attended the discussion also sit on other boards in our community, which lent to lively discussion about the role of the Board in context to nonprofit leadership.
Rhonda Schuldt, President of The Synergos Group, facilitated the discussion, offering tools for keeping board members passionate and purposeful in fulfilling their role. One tool, A Strategy Map, clearly links overarching goals with daily programming – all on one reference page. The process of filling in the map is perhaps as valuable as the resulting document, and a great place for a new board to start. Other resources that can be brought in to strengthen a new board were also highlighted.
For those not able to attend, click here to download Rhonda’s presentation.
The Spring Advance is one example of the events offered to Partners. Learn more about becoming a Partner of PSVP, or contact us at info@psvp.org or 412.441.0200.
Guest post written by Andie Young, PSVP Lead Partner to Amachi Pittsburgh.
Amachi Pittsburgh, a faith based organization whose mission is to “empower young minds to overcome the challenges of parental incarceration through mentoring, family support and community engagement,” was awarded the PSVP grant at the Fall 2010 Fall Pitch. Following the Fall Pitch, PSVP spent several months with the organization staff trying to understand their needs and ways for PSVP partners to become engaged. After a number of organizational changes, PSVP was able to begin working with Anna Hollis, the Executive Director, and the organization in a meaningful way in October of 2011. PSVP has been able to become involved by:
- Organizing meetings and a ½ day workshop to help Amachi focus their mission and create a strategy map with the beginnings of an operational plan and objectives for next 3 years.
- Andie Young, Bill Slivka and Elizabeth Visnic of PSVP have attended, and are continuing to contribute to Amachi Advisory Board Meetings. The first order of business for the newly formed Advisory Board has been assisting with choosing an appropriate fiscal agent for Amachi. At this time, Amachi is not an independent 501C-3.
- Bill and Andie will continue to work as members of Advisory Board as Anna Hollis works to establish the best on-going organizational model and focus on the key priorities of Amachi. These have been in some flux as Federal funding that supported the core programs of the organization has been cut.
Bill, Andie and Elizabeth will assess Partner engagement and needed assistance as the process with Amachi evolves. Look for updates about ways to get involved, as well as future Amachi progress reports.
Photo by Brian Cohen
2012 Fast Pitch grand prize winner, Chuck Webb of Shepherd’s Heart Veterans’ Home made headlines yesterday in Pop City. His story, as well as that of several fellow veterans, is laid out by Marty Levine in more detail than our Fast Pitch guests may have heard on event night. We’re thrilled Chuck and SHVH is continuing to receive such much deserved attention for their wonderful work.
Read the full story, “Shepherd’s Heart: Helping returning vets find their way”
PSVP Partner and Board Vice Chair Heidi Bartholomew has been selected as a 2012 Awardee for The YWCA Tribute to Women in the area of Business and Industry. Heidi, who is Vice President and Controller for FedEx Ground, will be recognized at a Leadership Awards Luncheon on May 16th at the Westin Hotel downtown. Any partner or friend of PSVP who wishes to attend, please register online YWCA of Greater Pittsburgh’s website by May 2nd. Way to go Heidi!
We’re always thrilled to learn how the impact of the Fast Pitch extends beyond the magic that takes place on stage event night. We’re so thrilled, we had to share just a few of the wonderful and unexpected results from a few 2012 presenters:
Dreams of Hope- Three online donations totaling $700.
- One potential volunteer.
- A development professional in the audience expressed interest in applying for an open marketing/development position.
- One of the Dreams of Hope coaches is participating in the organization’s strategic planning process and is interested in either serving on the board or being on staff.
- Many guests in the audience will be looking out for performances and camps in the coming years.
Art Expression Inc.- Art Expression Inc. has been able to realize a fully funded pilot program in conjunction with the Homeless Children’s Education Fund at Womanspace East (funded in part by the $500 Fast Pitch grant).
- Art Expression Inc. also has met with Fast Pitch semi-finalist, Andrea Williams of the Children’s Sickle Cell Foundation about seeking funding for a collaborative pilot program.
The POWER Collection- An additional donation has been made.
- After hearing the POWER Collection pitch, Christopher Whitlatch, Marketing Manager at The Pittsburgh Foundation, asked to film a piece about POWER and about the POWER Collection for the online non-profit news show he co-produces titled “Unsung.“
- Four new volunteers have joined the organization, including young professionals from BNY Mellon and American Eagle.
- The POWER Collection has been introduced to Rachel’s Cure by Design to talk about possible ways to collaborate. Rachel’s Cure by Design is a social enterprise company that sells handmade jewelry with a portion of the proceeds going to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
Hayley Martin cheered on by her fellow presenters
My entire experience with the PSVP Fast Pitch event was one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. From the expertise of my coaches, to the opportunity to spend an hour with famed cartoonist, Joe Wos, and the exposure at the event itself – each moment spent dedicated to this event was worthwhile.
Holy Family Institute gained priceless exposure by networking and meeting a variety of contacts from various corporations and local companies, but it’s the ones we didn’t meet that night that really surprised us. The day after the event, we received an email from an executive director of a local foundation about a recently submitted grant request for a different program. He mentioned how much he enjoyed my pitch at the event. Participating in the event enabled this executive director to experience another facet of our organization and a different program, painting a much clearer picture of who we are as an organization.
I am very thankful to have had this opportunity to gain exposure for Holy Family, but also grow as a professional. We look forward to watch PSVP continue to grow in Pittsburgh and help many more local organizations continue to serve our communities.
Hayley
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“I am grateful to the PSVP for not only presenting an opportunity to secure funding, but for providing an outstanding educational opportunity for a member of the Holy Family Institute Development Staff. It was amazing to watch her progress week to week, and I couldn’t have been more pleased when she delivered the “pitch” for the Parent-Child Home Program.” – Pam Grove, Director of Development
(2012 Finalist)
www.hfi-pgh.org
Facebook
@HFIPgh
Pop City Media posted an inspiring video today produced by PSVP Partner, Donnie Wagner. The video does a wonderful job of illustrating the vibrant local business community in East Liberty. Given Donnie’s interest in supporting Pittsburgh’s nonprofit sector through his involvement with PSVP, we’re not surprised he does such a great job of doing the same for the small business community through his video.
Photo provided by Ashoka
Guest post courtesy of our friends at the Johnson Institute for Responsible Leadership at the University of Pittsburgh (please note this is not an event coordinated by PSVP)
Each year we select an Exemplary Leader that embodies the core principles of the Johnson Institute: ethics, responsibility, public service, leadership, accountability, integrity and values. This is an exciting time as we get the chance to introduce students, faculty and the greater Pittsburgh community to an inspiring individual who has made a significant impact in their chosen field. This year we have selected Bill Drayton, founder and C.E.O. of Ashoka, as the 2012 Johnson Institute Exemplary Leader Award Recipient.
Ashoka is an international organization that champions the most important new social change ideas and supports the entrepreneurs behind them by helping them get started, grow, succeed and collaborate. Ashoka has grown into a community of nearly 3,000 social entrepreneurs since its founding in 1980. Bill has led the organization from the ground up and has previously held notable positions at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, McKinsey and Company and others. Bill has also received numerous awards for his work, including a McArthur Fellowship to support the creation of Ashoka, Yale School of Management’s annual Award for Entrepreneurial Excellence and was selected as Harvard University’s 100 “Most Influential Alumni.”
Please join us to honor and celebrate Bill’s work with a lecture titled “How to Lead in a Rapidly Changing World,” and reception:
April 12, from 3:30-5:00 p.m.
Levy Hall, Rodef Shalom, 4905
5th Avenue, Pittsburgh 15213
Event is free and open to the public, and parking is available.
Wine and hors d’oeuvres from Mad Mex will be served.
Visit the Johnson Institute event page for details on how to register.
One of the first things PSVP Fast Pitch presenters are advised to do during the coaching process is to develop their pitch around a very specific ask. For example: With $20,000, how many children could to attend after school programming? How many nights would a homeless family receive shelter?
Chuck Webb of Shepherd’s Heart Veteran’s Home won the 2012 Fast Pitch first price in part because of his clear and concise ask: $20,000 to replace a shuttle van that provides transportation for the homeless US Veterans residing at their shelter who rely on it to get them to and from work and job interviews. Daily use of the van, pictured above, has added up to over 130,000 miles of travel from workplace to workplace. The staff at SHVH look forward to their new wheels and more reliable means of transportation to the veterans they house and serve.
Chuck Webb recieving the Fast Pitch first prize award
Chuck, a US Veteran himself, recently send PSVP staff these reflections on his Fast Pitch experience:
“It was such an honor to participate in this years event. I have met so many loving and caring people. Sometimes we are so involved with our organizations and projects that we miss some of the other special programs and activities that others are involved with.
From the beginning to the end of the event, I felt nothing but love and hope. The relationships that I have developed with some of the other presenters will last forever. Also, I am ever grateful for my coaches who supported and believed in me, even when I had doubts myself. Not only my coaches (who are the greatest), but the other coaches were very supportive. PSVP has given me a whole new perspective, and I will be forever grateful for my beloved experience. I thank you all from deep within my heart!”
Shepherd’s Heart Veteran’s Home
shepheart@verizon.net
412-281-1305
www.shepheart.org