The Social Venture Partners of Sacramento (SVP) are corporate executives, community leaders, volunteers, philanthropists, parents – a network of local partners connecting passion and purpose. SVP sees the chasm between the challenges we face today as a society and the way we engage those challenges. Since its inception in 2008, SVP has united the power of the business community with the passion of the nonprofit world.
Please note that the requirements articulated below were developed for a previous round of the grant opportunity. Details for future rounds may differ.
The SVP Sacramento Fast Pitch process is a four-month training and mentoring program for innovative nonprofits effecting change in the broad category of education in the greater Sacramento region, culminating into the Fast Pitch Competition and Showcase in March 2020. Modeled after other efforts in Los Angeles, New York, and Boston, Fast Pitch brings to Sacramento a venture capital-like “pitch stage” where innovative nonprofits focused on improving area education outcome will share their achievements.
The program culminates in a “Fast Pitch” competition – a high-energy, fast-moving, quick-fire presentation event. Organizations share their work, how they differentiate from others working in their space, their impact, and success stories with the audience and judges–each in under three minutes! Participants are eligible to win prize money and in-kind support, with winners selected by audience and judging panel vote.
For last year's process video, with coaches and nonprofits giving perspective on the process, please click here.
Dedicated staff member with title of: Executive Director/CEO, Development Director, or Program Director must be willing to participate as point person through entire process.
Nonprofit mission or project is educationally focused (includes mentoring and preparation for or return to work, does not have to focus on education for K-12 though it certainly can) serving one or more of the following populations: Pre-K, Youth (K-12) in school or outside of the classroom, Post-secondary education, Addressing an issue proven to increase level of educational attainment (i.e., sports for youth, mentoring programs beyond school day, etc.), Adult education.
Differentiation from other organizations solving the same or a similar stated problem OR differentiation of delivery of programming, allowing organization to serve more individuals.
Collaboration: not required to participate, but a demonstrated record of collaborative effort(s) with other agencies within the community will be considered by the application review committee.
Able to dedicate a minimum of 50 hours to the process, from November 2019 - March 2020 (most participants report 60-80 hours total).
Activity |
Date |
Application Opens |
September 2, 2019 |
Applications Due |
October 4, 2019 (5:00 PM) |
Committee Review |
October 18, 2019 |
Cohort selected |
November 4, 2019 |
Cohort commitment forms due |
November 2019 |
Data Workshop & Process Intro |
December 2, 2019 |
Strategy/Messaging Workshop & Coach Networking Session |
December 16, 2019 |
Voice & Movement Session |
January 6, 2020 |
Mandatory Pitch Sessions Please hold all dates |
January 13, 2020 | 3:00 P.M. – 6:00 PM February 3, 2020 | 5:00 P.M. – 9:00 PM February 24, 2020 | 5:00 P.M. – 9:00 PM |
Finalists selected for final pitch |
February 25, 2020 |
Final Pitch Event Golden 1 Center Please hold all day for prep |
March 18, 2020 (Note: Subject to Change) |
A few things organizations should consider before they apply:
To learn more about SVP Sacramento, Fast Pitch and the application process, please review the two-minute promotional video.
If you have more questions about the process and your organization’s fit for SVP Fast Pitch 2019, please review the 25-minute webinar recording about organizational fit.
For questions regarding the Fast Pitch opportunity, eligibility requirements and criteria, and online submission process, please contact Cameron Law, Executive Director, SVP Sacramento, at cameron@svpsacramento.org.