Watch nonprofits take the stage to pitch their ideas and compete for funding on March 4, 2019
Innovation, revenue and scale are not words most people associate with philanthropy – but this is changing as nonprofits explore new models to grow their impact without relying on donations.
Increasingly, impact organizations are taking cues from startups and building earned revenue models. While this approach leads to a more sustainable impact, nonprofits often struggle to access capital to build and test new ideas. This is where Philanthropitch bridges the gap, connecting impact entrepreneurs to the resources they need to validate new models.
On March 4, 2019, Columbus’ most innovative nonprofits will take the stage and compete for funding at the first Philanthropitch Columbus.
Over 50 nonprofits applied for the city’s first Philanthropitch. The Philanthropitch team selected six finalists based on the scalability of their model – and the impact they are already making in Central Ohio. On February 7, Social Ventures will select the seventh finalist at the Nonprofit Sustainability Showcase.
Nonprofit Finalists
- Ruling Our eXperiences (ROX)
- Furniture Bank
- Economic and Community Development Institute (ECDI)
- Equitas Health
- Rebuilding Together Central Ohio
- YMCA of Central Ohio
At Philanthropitch, these finalists will pitch their ideas to a panel of judges who are business and government leaders from the local community. Both judges and audience members will select the nonprofits they want to support. Nonprofits that participate in Philanthropitch receive more than funding – they get pitch coaching, increased community awareness and connections to civic and business leaders.
For example, College Forward, a nonprofit that provides college and career mentoring to underserved students, participated in Philanthropitch Austin in 2018. The organized received funding to develop CoPilot, a revenue-generating technology platform that will enable the nonprofit to grow sustainably. College Forward leveraged their Philanthropitch experience to refine their pitch, develop a sales and marketing strategy, and secure additional philanthropic investment.
Philanthropitch is an initiative of Notley, a catalyst for social innovation based in Austin, Texas. Notley’s mission is to scale and support companies, nonprofits and individuals making positive change in the world. Since 2012, Philanthropitch has awarded more than $600,000 to empower more than 50 Texas nonprofits to expand their impact.
Notley chose Columbus, Ohio for their first expansion outside of Texas because of the community’s rare mix of philanthropy, established nonprofits and innovative startups. Philanthropitch will be a unique opportunity to showcase Columbus to cities across the country. To bring Philanthropitch to Ohio, Notley is partnering with SocialVentures and Kiwanis Club of Columbus.
“SocialVentures is thrilled to co-host Columbus’ inaugural Philanthropitch. This event will engage corporate community with philanthropy in new and exciting ways. The nonprofit and social enterprise sectors are exploring new paths in their collective quest for social justice, and Philanthropitch will bring new energy to the movement.” – Allen Proctor, President & CEO, SocialVentures
The judges for this year’s competition are:
- Doug Ulman, President & CEO of Pelotonia and Columbus 2017 Nonprofit CEO of the Year
- Tanisha Robinson, BrewDog USA
- Dan Sharpe, The Columbus Foundation
- Wes Strickling, CodexIT
- Kristy Campbell, Rev1 Ventures
- Lisa Ingram, White Castle
- John Lowe, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream
Sponsors include American Electric Power Foundation, Catalist, Hot Chicken Takeover, IGS Energy, Next Step Business Consulting, The Columbus Foundation and United Way of Central Ohio.
Don’t miss the social impact event of the year!
Philanthropitch Columbus is on March 4, 2019 at the Speaker Jo Ann Davidson Theatre in the Riffe Center Theatre Complex. Tickets are available for $25 for General Admission or $50 for VIP: https://www.philanthropitch.org/columbus/
