# 2017 Social Venture Partners Fast Pitch

*Published:* 2017-04-05
*Author:* Glenn Jimerson

The Arizona non-profit community was once again celebrated in the 2017 Social Venture Partners Arizona [Fast Pitch](http://www.socialventurepartners.org/arizona/fast-pitch/) competition. Social innovators were coached and mentored over two months; where seven finalists will get 3 minutes to “pitch” their non-profit in this fast paced competition to a panel of judges and the audience. The program culminates in the Fast Pitch competition where more than $50,000 is awarded to competitors. Fast Pitch is a fun, energetic evening showcasing innovative Arizona non-profits. Both [Neal Bookspan](/our-people/neal-h-bookspan) and Brenda Edwards of [Jaburg Wilk](http://www.jdsupra.com/profile/Jaburg_Wilk_docs/) were returning mentors.

Neal co-mentored social entrepreneur [ZenJoi](http://www.zenjoi.com/) and Brenda co-mentored non-profit [Cancer Support Community Arizona.](http://cscaz.org/)

Jaburg Wilk is pleased to be a returning sponsor of 2017 Social Venture Partners Fast Pitch. In addition to sponsoring, this year we are offering the $5,000 Jaburg Wilk *Making Tomorrow Better Today* Award. We are excited to invest in an organization that continuously empowers Arizona’s children. Congratulations to [Read Better Be Better](http://www.readbetterbebetter.org/) who has an innovative after school program that pairs trained 8th grader volunteers with 3rd grader students to help improve reading and literacy skills.