ELIGIBILITY AND CRITERIA FOR ALL NONPROFITS TO PARTICIPATE:

• Nonprofit organization – Applicants must submit their designation from the IRS as a 501(c)3 organization or proof of fiscal sponsorship along with their application no later than October 28, 2016. Individuals are not eligible.
• Location – Nonprofits must have significant operations in and impact benefitting residents of Maricopa County. Organizations may be based outside of Maricopa County but preference will be given to organizations that are headquartered here.
• Innovator (Innovator) – Individuals presenting on behalf of their organization must hold the title of Executive Director, CEO, Founder, Board Member, Chief Development Officer or equivalent and should have at least six (6) months of tenure with the organization. Innovators should work or live in Maricopa County in order to utilize the coaching resources available to them.
• Board Approval - A signed letter of approval to participate will be required from the organization’s Board Chair AND the participant agreeing to committed participation, including time commitment.
• Size – There are no restrictions based on organizational size, budget or age of organization.
• Cost – There is no fee to participate in the program or for finalists who present at the event.
• Alumni – Prior applicants who were not selected as a participant or finalist may reapply; but organizations and/or individuals who were selected as a “Finalist” in previous years are not eligible to reapply.

PROGRAM PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS

Each participant will be required to include a signed letter of Participation/Time Commitment Approval, from their Board President/Chair, AND it must also be signed by them committing to the program.
We are looking for nonprofit innovators who are committed to the time and process throughout the program. Therefore, innovators must attend all of the following sessions:

• Fast Pitch Fundamentals A Pre-Training Workshop Event – Thursday, January 12, 2017; 3:00-5:00pm
• Social Meet & Greet – Thursday, January 12, 2017; 5:30-7:00pm
• Initial Orientation Workshop – Thursday, January 19, 2017; 8:00am-12:00pm
• Three Group Coaching/Mentoring Clinics: 8am-12pm – Wednesday, 02/01/17; Wednesday, 02/15/17; Wednesday, 03/01/17
• Dress Rehearsal – Tuesday, March 28, 2017 9:00-11:00am
• Showcase Event – Tuesday, March 28, 2017 2:00-3:30pm Booth Set up; 4:30-9:00pm Booth Expo and Main Event

If you have a known conflict, please contact SVP to discuss prior to applying to the program. Absences could affect the innovator’s selection as a finalist.

• Utilize the group coaching clinics and coaches assigned to mentor you to produce a crisp, engaging three-minute presentation of the organization’s mission, distinctive approach, impact and “the ask.”
• Be open to advice and coaching by business and community leaders.
• Understand that a good pitch is about more than just asking for money and one must be able to articulate how people can help the organization through volunteering, making connections, or providing other in-kind support.
• In order to benefit from the program, participants should plan to spend a minimum of 2 hours a week working on their pitch outside of the group sessions. Many past participants reported spending significantly more time.