SVP Cincinnati coaches nonprofits for Fast Pitch speeches

For the past four weeks, eight nonprofits—all of which are working to transform the lives of at-risk children through education—have been training with Social Venture Partners Cincinnati coaches to perfect their elevator speeches for Fast Pitch.
 
SVP Cincinnati, the local chapter of an international group of philanthropists, is composed of 40 partners who do more than just fund nonprofits. Members give of their time, expertise and passion as they use their knowledge and skills to collaborate with local organizations to help them better fulfill their missions.
 
And on February 12, SVP Cincinnati will host 120 individuals involved in and supportive of the local nonprofit community at its inaugural Fast Pitch event at the Art Academy of Cincinnati, where organizations will have three minutes to hit on their key goals and accomplishments as they compete for one of three grants, ranging from $1,000-$5,000 dollars.
 
“Fast Pitch is known in the venture community, and we’re learning how to apply it to nonprofits,” says Melisse May, SVP partner and event chair. “And we’re filling a void as we get that training more established and broadened, because every nonprofit needs their elevator speech, and that’s where they struggle the most.”
 
While three nonprofits will receive a grant, all organizations competing will receive two hours of consulting on a topic of their choice; and according to May, the coaching is more valuable than the money to many of the nonprofits.
 
“In the case of Fast Pitch, it’s like Mark Twain said: ‘I apologize for the length of this letter, but I didn’t have time to make it shorter,’” May says. “It takes a lot of thought, a lot of crafting, and you have to really know the essence of your organization to have a good, short pitch.”  

Do Good:

• Purchase tickets for Fast Pitch, where you'll hear from Tom + Chee founders—who certainly know how to pitch—and listen to competing nonprofits' speeches, then vote for your favorite. Tickets are $20 and include food from Tom + Chee, in addition to one drink ticket. 

• Join SVP Cincinnati by becoming a partner.

• Like SVP Cincinnati on Facebook, and if you're a nonprofit, connect with them and apply for a grant. 

By Brittany York

Brittany York is a professor of English composition at the University of Cincinnati and a project manager for Charitable Words. She also edits the For Good section of SoapboxMedia.