The winners of this year's Fast Pitch SB were announced Thursday, with Keith Terry of YStrive taking home the competition's $15,000 Impact Award. The two-month Fast Pitch SB training program, organized by Social Venture Partners Santa Barbara, connects local nonprofits with potential funders and offers cash prizes for the best three-minute business pitches.
"Last night was an incredible experience and a long journey for me personally," said Terry. "The $15,000 plus the exposure for YStrive will help support our scholarship funds for high risk youth and their families." YStrive offers mentoring and job-training services to reduce gang violence and incarceration rates.
Thursday's ceremony distributed at total of $45,000 in awards and drew an audience of 350. The $10,000 Audience Award went to Tyler Speier with Isla Vista Youth Projects; the $5,000 Coaches Award went to Melissa Fontaine, Foodbank of Santa Barbara; and the $5,000 Sponsor Award was given to Sue Eisaguirre with the Nature Track Foundation.