We are excited to announce that Martha’s Village and Kitchen won the top prize of $20,000 for “Best Pitch” at the RAP Foundation’s Desert Fast Pitch Competition amongst local Nonprofits! The winning pitch was presented by Martha’s Village and Kitchen’s Executive Vice President, Stephanie Minor.
What is the Fast Pitch?
The RAP Foundation’s Desert Fast Pitch is a competitive, five-month training and coaching program that helps nonprofit staff succinctly and powerfully “tell their story.” The program also helps participants to develop key skills, foster new relationships, gain exposure, and increase their organizations’ ability to attract new resources over time. After weeks of classes, training and a preliminary competition selected finalists
presented a 3-minute pitch about their non-profit organization. The pitches were presented to a panel of judges and a live audience on November 13, 2018.
A Focus On Homeless Children
Ms. Minor’s pitch addressed the issue of homelessness and children. She informed the audience and the panel of judges that 1 out of every 11 children in the state of California is homeless. Stephanie continued to tell the stories of two homeless children, Stacey and Jose, including how they ended up at Martha’s Village and Kitchen, and how they moved through the program. In addition, she asked for funds to create a space that is just for homeless children as part of MVK’s residential unit.
Helping Our Neighbors In Need
Martha’s Village and Kitchen’s President and CEO, Linda Barrack, has worked in the nonprofit industry and closely with the RAP Foundation for several years and was in attendance at the finals event. “The Desert Fast Pitch competition brings some of the best local nonprofits from throughout the Coachella Valley. They join together, learn from one another, and build more resources to serve our local community.” Ms. Barrack also stated, “We’re thrilled to celebrate Stephanie and all of her accomplishments through this process. What a great event and honor for our organization.”
Martha’s Village and Kitchen’s Board members, Steve Stearman, and Bill Lennartz were in attendance at the event. Also, several members of MVK’s staff were in attendance. 
Stephanie said, “I am so grateful for all of the support from Martha’s staff, and I want to thank all of the nonprofit organizations that have gone through this process with me. We have built friendships and bonds that will only continue to grow and help our local community. I look forward to future collaborations with these great agencies.”
She continued, “I am still in shock that Martha’s Village & Kitchen was chosen as the
Best Pitch. It is exciting to share this win and extremely generous donation of $20,000 with our organization. There are still so many people who need our help. This donation will help us help even more of our local neighbors in need.”