PIE Wins SVP 2020 “Fast Pitch” Grand Prize Award
Partnership for Innovation in Education Wins Social Venture Partners’ 2020 “Fast Pitch” Grand Prize Award
CINCINNATI–(October 14, 2020) Cincinnati-based Partnership for Innovation in Education (PIE) is the grand prize winner of the Social Venture Partners’ “Fast Pitch” 2020-Virtual Edition, which took place on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020. As grand prize winner, PIE received $15,000 in support of its programs, which provide career readiness and case-based educational programs to students in the Greater Cincinnati region to help them prepare for the 21stcentury workforce and the global marketplace.
During the “Fast Pitch” 2020-Virtual Edition, a representative from the 12 Greater Cincinnati non-profit finalists broadcast a three-minute pitch describing each organization and its mission and service to the local community virtually to the “Fast Pitch” audience and panel of judges. Mary Welsh Schlueter, founder and CEO of PIE, presented the pitch on behalf of PIE.
“Fast Pitch is just one of the ways that Social Venture Partners Cincinnati supports our community to cultivate effective philanthropists, strengthen non-profits and build collaborative relationships to help all in Cincinnati reach their full potential. The PIE model fit well into our focus on social innovation, and Mary’s pitch really stood out. Congratulations!” said Lauren LaCerda Merten, Executive Director of Social Venture Partners Cincinnati.
Many local businesses and organizations participated and helped to support the mission of Social Venture Partners and “Fast Pitch” 2020-Virtual Edition.
“Fifth Third is proud to support Social Venture Partners and the 2020 Fast Pitch program. We are excited to award the first place prize of $15,000 to Partnership for Innovation in Education. It is great to see PIE’s focus around transforming local high school programs to prepare students for the 21st century workforce,” said Byna Elliott, Chief Corporate Communications and Economic Development Officer for Fifth Third Bank.
With the $15,000 grand prize award, PIE will be able to continue its digital learning and STEM-based educational programs for high school students in Cincinnati Public Schools.
“I am so proud of the work done by PIE on behalf of our students, who are preparing for their future careers,” said Eve Bolton, Cincinnati Public Schools Board Member.
“We are incredibly honored and excited to be this year’s grand prize winner! And we are excited to continue to provide our learning opportunities to students. As more students are learning remotely and from home this year, we plan to continue to provide career-readiness opportunities to students wherever they are to help give them the skills and confidence they need for today’s workforce,” said Mary Welsh Schlueter, CEO of PIE.
Learn more about the “Fast Pitch” 2020-Virtual Edition.
About Social Venture Partners Cincinnati
Social Venture Partners is Greater Cincinnati’s home for engaged philanthropists. We are part of an international network of 3,500 Partners who collectively invest time, talent and grant money in innovative ways to strengthen local nonprofits. Our purpose is simple: to enable to investees to make the Cincinnati region a stronger and more vibrant community.
About PIE CaseLAB®
Partnership for Innovation in Education (PIE) develops transformational educational tools preparing the 21stcentury workforce for success in the global marketplace. With its CaseLab®program, PIE features first-ever career simulation and mentoring alliances with business, education and arts organizations, providing hands-on learning in the K-16 classroom. PIE is a 501c3 nonprofit, tax-exempt organization, awarded the GuideStar Nonprofit “Platinum” Ranking and is an Ohio School District Partner. For more information, visit http://stem.piemedia.org or follow @PIE_Innovation on Twitter.
###