Winnipeg Foundation CEO Rick Frost introduces the evening to sold out crowd at The Met. /DAVID LIPNOWSKI
After months of preparation and practice, four local charitable organizations have been crowned Fast Pitch champions.
Grand Prize ($7,500 grant): Sarasvàti Dramatic Theatre Productions and Repertory, Hope McIntyre
Second Place ($2,500 grant): Local Investment Toward Employment (LITE), Anne Linsdey
Third Place ($2,500 grant): KidSport Canada – Manitoba/Winnipeg Chapter, Matt Erhard
People’s Choice ($2,500 grant): Artsjunktion Manitoba, Carolyn Mount
Fast Pitch winners LtoR: Anne Lindsey, Hope McIntyre, Carolyn Mount and Matt Erhard. /DAVID LIPNOWSKI
Fast Pitch is a three-month coaching program coordinated by The Winnipeg Foundation. Skilled volunteers from the legal, financial, marketing and business sectors teamed up with charitable community leaders to develop the Dragon’s Den-style 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, who each received a grant of $500 for participating in Fast Pitch, were whittled down to 10 during a Semi-Final event. All 10 finalists made pitches during last night’s event.
Judges Ace Burpee, Lisa Meeches and Obby Khan (at left) are joined on stage by the 10 semi-final participants and their coaches. /DAVID LIPNOWSKI
“All of the Fast Pitches last night were incredibly strong,” says Jennifer Partridge, Strategic Projects Associate with The Winnipeg Foundation.
“One of the goals of Fast Pitch is to help charities learn to tell their stories clearly and succinctly, and that’s exactly what happened. Although this was a competition, more importantly it was about building connections, showcasing the impressive work going on in our city and celebrating Winnipeggers’ generosity,” Partridge says.
Judges (left) with Fast Pitch winners and their coaches. /DAVID LIPNOWSKI
“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 build our philanthropic community,” says Foundation CEO Richard Frost.
The Grand Prize, Second Place and Third Place winners were decided by judges Ace Burpee, Obby Khan and Lisa Meeches. The People’s Choice award was determined through text-to-vote. The event was co-hosted by Drew Kozub and Jenna Khan.
Judges (LtoR): Ace Burpee, Lisa Meeches and Obby Khan. /DAVID LIPNOWSKI
Fast Pitch sponsors were Aikins Law, Fillmore Riley, Stand & Command, and TDS Law.
For more information, or to get in touch with presenters and coaches, please contact: LuAnn Lovlin, Director of Communications, 204.781.9336 (cell) llovlin@wpgfdn.org or Richard L. Frost, CEO, 944.9474 ext. 223 rfrost@wpgfdn.org
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.
