Nonprofits Receive over $100,000 in Funding at Philanthropitch

By
Susan Post
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Photo provided by Philanthropitch

Seven local nonprofits took the stage at Speaker Jo Ann Davidson Theatre to pitch for funding at the inaugural Philanthroptich Columbus. Sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Columbus and co-hosted by SocialVentures, the social impact fast pitch competition gave nonprofits the chance to present their ideas for earned revenue models to support the work of their organizations.

The seven nonprofit finalists included:

  • Ruling Our eXperiences (ROX)
  • Equitas Health
  • YMCA of Central Ohio
  • ECDI
  • Modcon Living
  • Furniture Bank of Central Ohio
  • Freedom a la Cart

ROX

Women are underrepresented in politics to CEO-level positions. They’re not meeting their potenital, but were does it begin? ROX addresses the critical time during which most girls lose their confidence – fifth to ninth grade – with facilitated, evidenced-based programming that equips girls with the skills they need to live healthy, independent, productive and violence-free lives. Having grown 6,000 percent since its launch, ROX looks to train 25 new facilitators to put 800 more girls through their programming.

Equitas Health

Equitas Health’s Medical Center and Pharmacy in the King-Lincoln District serves a primary care desert where 70 percent of residents live below federal poverty guidelines. Their one-stop shop model provides primary care, behavioral health, dental care and a pharmacy to everyone regardless of their ability to pay – and it’s at capacity. Already serving 40 percent more patients than expected in year one, the organization wants to double its number of primary care rooms to serve 1,500 more patients a year.

YMCA of Central Ohio

The YMCA’s Van Buren Shelter serves hundreds of women and children every night. To change her story, the YMCA is launching on-site workforce development program Caring Kitchen to teach women in-demand skills to help prepare them for job opportunities.

ECDI

ECDI’s Food Fort levels the playing field by providing food-based businesses affordable, licensed kitchen space and wrap-around services through its educational classes and loan programs. With over 40 members and a waitlist of 20 businesses, the Food Fort is aiming to help even more entrepreneurs with the acquisition and build out of an additional 5,000 square feet of space that can serve 15 additional clients.

Modcon Living

With a growing populations of seniors that wish to age in place, Modcon Living (formerly Rebuilding Together Central Ohio) is helping residents stay safe with minor home modifications. Receiving four times the number of referrals they can serve in a year, the non-profit recently launched Mod Squad, an affordable handyman service providing homeowners assistance with minor projects and repairs. Modcon Living is ready to expand its operations and add another truck to help serve residents and clients.

Furniture Bank of Central Ohio

The Furniture Bank of Central Ohio provided 3,400 families with donated furniture in 2018, and has been operating its social enterprise thrift store Furniture with a Heart to further support its mission since 2016. Now the non-profit looks to centralize these operations under one roof, streamlining processes and utilizing the same trucks, staff and warehouse space to help the organization serve more families.

Freedom a la Cart

Employing and empowering survivors of human trafficking, Freedom a la Cart looks to expand on the workforce development training it provides though its catering business. The social enterprise seeks to open a cafe serving breakfast and lunch patrons in the morning, and operating as an event space and prep kitchen in the evening, thereby expanding the number of women they are able to assist.

Philanthropitch awarded these organizations $104,475 in funding from corporate sponsors, judges and tickets sales from audience members. The totals nonprofits received to scale their impacts are:

  • ROX – $39,814 – $5,000 from Kiwanis Club, $5,000 from The Columbus Foundation, $15,000 from IGS, $5,314 in audience awards, $9,500 from judges
  • Modcon Living – $26,932 – $15,000 from AEP, $3,432 in audience awards, $8,500 from judges
  • Freedom A La Cart – $18,367 – $5,000 from White Castle, $5,867 in audience awards, $7,500 from judges
  • Equitas Health – $9,271 – $7,500 from United Way, $1,771 in audience awards
  • YMCA of Central Ohio – $5,489 – $2,989 in audience awards, $2,500 from judges
  • Furniture Bank of Central Ohio – $2,495 – $1,495 in audience awards, $1,000 from judges
  • ECDI – $2,107 – $1,107 in audience awards, $1,000 from judges

Judges for the evening included:

Philanthropitch is an initiative of Austin, Texas based Notley. With a mission to scale and support companies, nonprofits and individuals making positive change in the world, Notley has taken Philanthropitch to cities around Texas, expanding outside the state for the first time with its inaugural Columbus event.

For more information, visit philanthropitch.org.

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