Three minutes can seem incredibly short or infinitely long! Either way, 10 charitable organizations will try to make the most of their three minutes as they make Dragon’s Den-style pitches during the Fast Pitch Final Showcase, Apr. 7 at 7 p.m. at The Met.
Learn about the amazing work being done in Winnipeg’s charitable sector and discover how each organization would utilize the grant money to build capacity and make a difference. Over $20,000 is available to Fast Pitch participants throughout the program. You can help decide the People’s Choice winner through text-to-vote!
The top 10 finalists are:
Sarasvàti Dramatic Theatre Productions and Repertory, Artsjunktion Manitoba, Sexuality Education Resource Centre Manitoba, Prairie Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, Shakespeare in the Ruins, KidSport Canada – Manitoba/Winnipeg Chapter, Local Investment Toward Employment (LITE), Lake Winnipeg Foundation, Spence Neighbourhood Association and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Winnipeg.

Fast Pitch finalists, LtoR: Carolyn Mount (Artsjunktion), Greg Unger (Big Brothers Big Sisters), Matt Erhard (KidSport), Alexis Kanu (Lake Winnipeg Foundation), Anne Lindsey (LITE), Lisa Tretiak (Prairie Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre), Hope McIntyre (Sarasvàti), Nicole Chammartin (Sexuality Education Resource Centre), Jamil Mahmood (Spence Neighbourhood Association). Missing: Andrew Cecon (Shakespeare in the Ruins). /NOAH ERENBERG
The Grand Prize, Second Place and Third Place winners will be determined by our panel of judges: Ace Burpee, Obby Khan and Lisa Meeches.
The event is co-hosted by Drew Kozub and Jenna Khan. Limited tickets to the event are on sale now for $25. Go to fastpitchwinnipeg.org to purchase.
Fast Pitch Final Showcase will be on Thu. Apr. 7 at The Met, 281 Donald Street – doors at 6 p.m. and program at 7 p.m.
The Fast Pitch Showcase is the culmination of a three-month coaching program coordinated by The Winnipeg Foundation. Skilled volunteers from the legal, financial, marketing and business sectors are teamed up with charitable community leaders to develop the Fast Pitches.
The Fast Pitch program aims to build the capacity of, and create visibility for, Winnipeg’s charitable sector. The coaching process also helps build valuable relationships with members of Winnipeg’s business community. The initial 17 teams were whittled down to 10 during a Semi-Final event.
“Presenters and coaches have worked hard to prepare for this moment,” says Jennifer Partridge, Strategic Projects Associate with The Winnipeg Foundation. “But more than just a competition, it’s about building connections, showcasing the impressive work going on in our city and celebrating Winnipeggers’ generosity,” she adds.
“The Foundation’s vision is ‘a Winnipeg where community life flourishes for all.’ Fast Pitch is one of the ways we’re working to fulfill this vision, and to build our philanthropic community,” says Foundation CEO Richard Frost.

Skilled volunteers from the legal, financial, marketing and business sectors teamed up with charitable community leaders to develop the Fast Pitches. /NOAH ERENBERG
The Winnipeg Foundation, Canada’s first community foundation, was established in 1921. Built by people from all walks of life, The Foundation pools and invests gifts entrusted to it in order to generate grants that benefit a variety of local charitable needs For Good. Forever.