Seed20: 20 nonprofits you need to know
Tuesday night, 20 Charlotte nonprofits competed for more than $50,000 in cash and prizes in the fourth annual Seed20 competition. Facilitated by Social Venture Partners (SVP) and sponsored by some major household names, Seed20 is a seven-week coaching and mentorship program for high-impact nonprofit organizations that culminates in last night’s live on-stage pitch competition for seed funding.Each organization gets three minutes on stage. No cue cards. No props. No powerpoint. “Straight, no chaser,” as the host put it.
I have kind of a unique 360-degree view of Seed20 after attending as an audience member in 2013, competing and winning the grand prize in 2014 and serving as a judge this year, and I can say with certainty that life is less stressful on the other side of the judging table.
It’s tough to sum up the heavy, worthy work these organizations do in just three minutes. It’s tough to put your life’s work and your heart and soul up there on stage for critique. It’s tough to judge and weigh one against the other when you know they’re all worthy of the exposure and the funds. It’s tough to pull an event of this magnitude together and run it like clockwork the way the SVP team does. The easy part of Seed20 is sitting in the audience, getting introduced to all of these incredible organizations and absorbing all of the good that oozes out of the work they pour into making our city a better place.
The winners of the 2015 #SEED20 #socialventure awards… pic.twitter.com/084o5W3WcB
— Nathan Lafionatis (@LaughingAtUs) March 4, 2015
So if you weren’t among the 700-odd lucky attendees (or even more live streamers online), here are the 20 Charlotte nonprofits you need to know (and support) right now. Their work is hard and it’s important and it benefits us all indirectly and indefinitely.
10 On-Stage Competitors and Winners
Charlotte Bilingual Preschool ($20,000 grand prize winner) – A dual-language program operating at capacity with 72 students (and a whopping 300 on the waiting list) to combat the 30% high school dropout rate among latino students. bilingualpreschool.org
Uncommen ($12,500 second place) – A mobile application (currently 1,000 members strong) that empowers men to set an example as fathers, husbands and citizens with mobile reminders and challenges. www.uncommen.org
Present Age Ministries ($7,500 third place) – Combats sexual abuse, exploitation and trafficking of teen girls, with a focus on awareness and residential housing. www.presentageministries.com
F.R.E.E. Foundation ($5,000 coach’s award) – Foundation for Rehabilitation Endowment provides mobility rehabilitation equipment like wheelchairs and walkers to help people regain mobility and independence. www.free-foundation.org
ACE Your Prostate Exam ($10,000 in-kind Priceless Misc website and video package) – An awareness and fundraising campaign to encourage African-American men to get yearly exams. www.aceyourprostate.org
Girls Rock Charlotte – Rock and roll summer camp that combines music education with confidence-building workshops to boost self esteem in young girls. www.girlsrockclt.com
EmpowHERment – Empowering girls and women to be leaders in their community through mentorship, talent development and advocacy. www.empowherment.com
Charlotte Ballet Reach – Need-based dance scholarship program promoting self esteem, discipline, work ethic and appreciation of the arts. charlotteballet.org/community-and-schools/reach
Joedance Film Festival – Annual film festival to showcase local filmmaking talent and raise money for cancer research. www.joedance.org
Youth Meditation – Teaching students lifelong skills for managing stress, anxiety and emotions. www.youthmeditation.org
Charlotte Food Innovation District – An ambitious plan to build a food hub, culinary incubator and urban farm to support local agriculture and food innovation. www.cltfooddistrict.org
A Widow’s Path – Supports young widows through mentorship, resources and social gatherings. awidowspath.wordpress.com
10 Semi-Finalists
Institute for Philanthropic Leadership
Photos: Kseniya Martin
This story was originally published March 5, 2015 at 1:27 AM with the headline "Seed20: 20 nonprofits you need to know."