Phoenix nonprofit wins $25K in pitch contest

PHOENIX — A nonprofit that helps low-income families in Phoenix buy used cars won the top prize at a local pitch competition.

Stephen Sparks won the $25,000 Social Venture Partners Innovator Award for the Labor’s Community Service Agency.

His program, SHIFT, will receive three years of support from the SVP.

The awards were handed out Tuesday night.

The SVP competition lasted for two months and 25 nonprofits entered in hopes of getting funding for their business ideas.

Beside the transportation services, SHIFT helps families with financial coaching that includes reducing debt, budgeting skills and improving credit.

Nine other nonprofits were selected as finalists, all winning different monetary funding prizes from $1,500 to $10,000.

The winner of the second highest award for the $10,000 Judge’s Choice in grants was given to Kelsey Pinckney, a program coordinator for Read Better Be Better. The literacy program focuses on improving middle schoolers reading abilities.

We are so proud of our program coordinator Kelsey Pinckney! Thank you to the @SVPArizona Fast Pitch Judges for honoring us with your award! pic.twitter.com/SN247ueSVD

— ReadBetterBeBetter (@readbetteraz) March 29, 2017

The Social Venture Partners network includes 40 cities in the United States and nine countries.

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