2022 Desert Fast Pitch
COACHELLA VALLEY NONPROFITS WERE AWARDED $65,000 IN CASH GRANTS FROM THE RAP FOUNDATION!
The Nonprofit Desert Fast Pitch is an annual event that is a Shark Tank-style, high-energy, quick-fire presentation in which nonprofits powerfully communicate their story and make a 3-minute pitch for funding. Six nonprofits made it to the finals and competed for cash grants awarded by the Regional Access Project Foundation (RAP).
The finalists included Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert, Food Now, Elder Love USA, ACT for MS, NAMI – National Alliance on Mental Illness – Coachella Valley, and Palm Springs International Piano Competition.
The finalists delivered their pitches live onstage to a panel of judges and an audience of approximately 200 philanthropic, business, civic, and nonprofit leaders.
Cindy Burreson, from Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert, won “Best Pitch. Dana Johnson, from Food Now, won “Most Innovative,” and Shannon Shea, from Elder Love USA won “Audience Choice.”
NPO Centric, a program of the RAP Foundation, runs this annual event. The finalists engaged in a six-week training and mentoring program that included marketing, branding, and speaking training so that the nonprofits can effectively raise the funding they need to be self-sustaining. The program culminates in the live, Fast Pitch competition.
Highlights From 2022 Desert Fast Pitch Event
Keynote Speaker
Jackie Joyner-Kersee did a wonderful job delivering a heartfelt speech.
Three-time Olympic Gold Medalist Jackie Joyner-Kersee built one of the most illustrious athletic careers in the world of track and field. Her performance in the heptathlon and long jump in the 1984, 1988, and 1992 Summer Olympics made her a legend. Jackie Joyner-Kersee set over 18 athletic records, received over 24 recognition awards, is a successful businesswoman, respected community leader, and a dynamic motivational speaker who inspires audiences to go after their dreams with passion and commitment. She is widely regarded as “The World’s Greatest Female Athlete.”
2022 Nonprofit Desert Fast Pitch Information
Twelve Coachella Valley Nonprofits were selected to participate in the 2022 Nonprofit Desert Fast Pitch. Six nonprofits, Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert, Food Now,
Elder Love USA, NAMI – National Alliance on Mental Illness – Coachella Valley, ACT for Multiple Sclerosis, and Palm Springs International Piano Competition
made it to the finals and competed for cash grants awarded by the RAP Foundation.
The 2022 Desert Fast Pitch took place October 6, 2022 at the UCR Palm Desert Campus from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
The Keynote Speaker for the event was Jackie Joyner-Kersee. She appeared live on stage to shared her inspirational message.
Best Pitch=$20,000
Most Innovative=$15,000
Audience Choice=$10,000
Best Portfolio=$1,000
Most Improved=$1000
Check out the sponsorship opportunities for the 2022 Nonprofit Desert Fast Pitch.
2022 Desert Fast Pitch Sponsor Packet
Are you interested in sponsoring the 2023 Desert Fast Pitch? Send an email to NPOCentric@RAPFoundation.org for more information.