SVP Fast Pitch Arizona is…

a free two-month communication skills building program and competition for innovative nonprofits in Maricopa County. The premier nonprofit pitch program in the Valley, Fast Pitch equips nonprofit leaders, social entrepreneurs, and ASU students the skills to effectively communicate their story and connect them with business and community leaders who help them create significant impact.

SVPAZ sincerely thanks all of our Sponsors, Partners, Innovators, Mentors, and Volunteers who continue to make this inspiring evening possible!

SVP Fast Pitch Promo…take a look!

More videos can be found on our YouTube channel

Congratulations! 2017 Fast Pitch winners:

• $25,000 SVP Innovator Award awarded to Labor’s Community Service Agency and Stephen Sparks, who was chosen by a panel of Partners from the SVPAZ network for the innovation and repeatability of the SHIFT program. Stephen and LCSA also receive three years of SVPAZ Partner time and talent to support capacity building.
• $10,000 Judge’s Choice Award awarded to Kelsey Pinckney, Program Coordinator at Read Better Be Better, who was chosen by the panel of community judges during the showcase event. Judge Jenny Poon, of Co+Hoots proudly announced the award, calling Kelsey a fellow nerd and book-loving sister.
• $7,500 KIITA Award: In Inuit, KIITA means “Get up and Go!” This year, Jason Moore with Northbridge College Success Program compelled KIITA Foundation members to get up and give them money. In a surprise, on-the-spot announcement, Partner Amy Armstrong and Next Generation Partner Emily Armstrong donated an additional $2,500 to Ryan Lay with Skate After School.
• $5,000 Jaburg Wilk “Making Tomorrow Better Today” Award went to Kelsey Pinckney, Program Coordinator at Read Better Be Better, for their work in literacy at the critical third grade level. This is the inaugural award for Jaburg Wilk and Partner Gary Jaburg shared his belief that education and literacy is the foundation of lifelong success, which influenced his selection of RBBB.
• $2,500 ASU Rob and Melani Walton Sustainability Solutions Award was awarded to Melanie Isaacs of Pal Experiences for their work in accessibility for children and families with autism.
• $2,500 People’s Choice Award: After the presenters con­cluded their pitches, the audience texted their votes for Shelia Iyengar of The Nagi Foundation. The Nagi Foundation works with children and animals – a winning combination – as noted by one of the judges last night.
• $1,500 Don Keuth Mentor’s Choice Award went to Melanie Isaacs of Pal Experiences. She was selected by the 60+ mentors who participated in the program this year. The award is in honor of long-time Fast Pitch mentor and friend of SVPAZ, Don Keuth, who passed away in January.
• $2,000 Student Innovator Award was awarded to Joshua Smith, an ASU student and CEO of Fortunes Financial. Fortune’s Financial is a software-based education tool that teaches college students how to manage their money.
• $5,000 Social Enterprise Award was awarded to Jacob Hamman, co-founder of Zenjoi, a social enterprise tackling the quality of life for those inflicted by Alzheimer’s.

SVPAZ congratulates all 25 organizations who participated in the 2017 program.