. Page 36 Desert Charities News – www.desertcharities.com • www.dcnnews.com October/November/December 2025 www.cvrm.org Twelve Coachella Valley nonprofits have been selected to compete for a share of $70,000 in cash grants at the popular ‘Desert Fast Pitch,’ the Regional Access Project (RAP) Foundation’s high-energy, ‘Shark Tank’-style competition spotlighting quick-fire pitches from mission-driven organizations. Twelve Nonprofits to Compete for $70,000 at‘Desert Fast Pitch’ Tickets Now on Sale for RAP Foundation’s ‘Shark Tank’-Style Contest onOct. 2, 2025 Each nonprofit will receive a $1,000 participation grant and access to workshops in the lead-up to a September Semi-Final round, where six will be chosen. Those six will then take the stage at the big event, which features a top prize of $20,000, on Thursday, October 2, 2025, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at UCR Palm Desert, 75080 Frank Sinatra Drive. The nonprofits selected to compete this year are: • 4ShayJ Foundation • Consejo de Federaciones Mexicanas (COFEM) • Friends of the Children - Coachella Valley • Grandparents Love • Greater Palm Springs Tourism Foundation • HARC Inc. • Hanson House Foundation • Integrated Learning Institute • SafeHouse of the Desert • The Exception • Tools For Tomorrow • We Can Fish Presented by the RAP Foundation through its capacity-building, technical assistance arm of NPO Centric, Desert Fast Pitch has been presented for more than a decade supporting and spotlighting local nonprofits that serve eastern Riverside County. In addition to competing for funding, the 12 selected nonprofits are taking part in a seven-week training and mentoring program focused on leadership, marketing, storytelling, and fundraising. The goal is to help them strengthen their impact and sharpen their ability to communicate their mission to potential supporters. continued on page 43
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