CommunityThe Winnipeg Foundation’s Fast Pitch helps charities present their case community leadership.
If you were given just three minutes, could you tell the world about your Cause? That’s exactly what 12 non-profit leaders did during The Winnipeg Foundation’s 2020 edition of Fast Pitch.
For the Fast Pitch 2020 program, each charitable sector leader came together with two coaches from the business sector. Together, they honed a three-minute pitch – all in the hopes of winning the $10,000 Grand Prize.
Throughout the two-month program, Fast Pitch presenters received several professional development sessions to develop their storytelling, their stage presence, their confidence, and their case for support.
“I learned so much, being a participant, that my gratitude is bottomless,” says Susan Berthiaume, Coordinator at Ndinawemaaganag Endaawaad and winner of the $6,000 People’s Choice award. “I actually don’t remember giving the speech! It was kind of surreal. Everyone was so amazing.”
The program culminated at the Fast Pitch Showcase, held at The Met at the end of February, where there were $26,000 in awardable prizes. All 12 organizations participating also received a $1,500 grant, on top of any awards they won.
“It was a very loving environment; everybody is cheering for everybody. We’re all invested in everyone’s success. It feels great,” says Pat Krawec, Managing Director of The WRENCH and winner of the $4,000 2nd Runner Up award. “It was tougher than I thought it would be, but I met some great people, learned a lot, felt very supported and loved, and at the end of the day it was such a love-in. Everyone’s a winner.”
To hear all 12 pitches, as well as additional interviews from the winners and some of the participants, visit wpgfdn.org/fastpitch
Fast Pitch Winnipeg 2020 results:
- Grand Prize ($10,000) – Snowflake Place for Children and Youth Inc. – Christy Dzikowicz, Executive Director
- People’s Choice ($6,000) – Ndinawemaaganag Endaawaad Inc. – Susan Berthiaume, Coordinator
- 1st Runner Up ($6,000) – Learning Disabilities Association of Manitoba – Karen Velthuys, Executive Director
- 2nd Runner Up ($4,000) – The WRENCH – Patrick Krawec, Managing Director
This story is featured in the Spring 2020 issue of our Working Together magazine. Download or view the full issue on our Publications page.