. Page 43 Desert Charities News – www.desertcharities.com • www.dcnnews.com October/November/December 2025 Following the Semi-Final round, six finalists will pitch live on October 2 in front of a panel of expert judges and an audience of more than 300 civic leaders, businesses, and philanthropists. Each nonprofit leader will have just three minutes to deliver a compelling case for support. Top awards include: • $20,000 for First Place • $15,000 for Second Place • $10,000 for Third Place • $5,000 for Audience Choice • Additional cash prizes will also be awarded. This year’s event will also feature an inspirational speaker sponsored by First 5 Riverside County Children & Families Commission. “Desert Fast Pitch equips nonprofits with more than just grant dollars. It gives them the tools to inspire action,” said Leticia De Lara, Executive Director of the RAP Foundation. “This program helps leaders build confidence, strengthen their networks, and refine their message so they can rally the community around their cause and secure the resources they need to grow.” Tickets for the October 2 Desert Fast Pitch event are $35 each and are now on sale at https://www.eventbrite.com/ e/2025-nonprofit-desert-fast-pitch-tickets-1354288987819?aff =oddtdtcreator. Seating is limited and early sellout is expected. For more information about the RAP Foundation, please visit www.rapfoundation.org. good times, filled with valuable learning experiences. But something in Blum’s heart was ignited when the agency for which he worked was asked to partner with the Ad Council to craft messaging and images for a few nonprofit organizations. He fell in love with using his skill to help others. “Don’t get me wrong, I loved working with clients and selling their products,” Blum says. “I loved scriptwriting, filming, planning, producing, and editing. The commercial world was full of amazing and crazy people with great ideas, and I ‘sold’ a lot of successful campaigns. But the messages I produced with my team for nonprofit causes were the most rewarding. I loved making a positive contribution to the community. I loved being a change maker. So, I began to focus on doing just that, full time. For me, it wasn’t a difficult call.” Fifteen years ago, Blum bet on himself, starting his own video production company strictly devoted to working with nonprofits. Busy and popular, he again took a leap of faith as family ties led him to move to Palm Springs in November 2024. Benefit Films is Arnie Blum, hands-on all the way. Video execution, writing, editing, and delivery all are in his wheelhouse. That soup-to-nuts oversight also enables him to satisfy budgetary and deadline requirements, about which he is laser focused. “This is a great and beautiful community, a generous one, a welcoming one, with a thriving nonprofit sector,” he notes. “I’m looking forward to helping nonprofits and my fellow Valley residents tell their compelling stories to help promote a change for the better every day.” Arnie Blum can be reached at (843) 817-7771 or arnie@benefitfilms.org
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