Finalists Named in the Greater New Orleans Foundation’s Pitch It! The Innovation Challenge

September 5, 2017

Three Nonprofit Organizations compete for prize money for most innovative idea

(September 1, 2017 | New Orleans, LA) The Greater New Orleans Foundation is pleased to announce that Luke’s House Clinic, Rising Foundations, and the YMCA of Greater New Orleans will present their innovative ideas in a pitch to a panel of judges on Thursday, October 5, 2017, at the George and Joyce Wein Jazz and Heritage Center, 1205 N. Rampart Street from 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm. The public is invited to attend.

Pitch It! The Innovation Challenge will fund a novel approach, an innovative product, a new process, or an innovative service that supports a new way of doing business in the nonprofit sector. Top prize is $25,000 with second and third place winners receiving $7,500 and $5,000.

“In an environment of uncertain economic times and shrinking public coffers, we’re turning more and more to nonprofit organizations to tackle our toughest social problems,” said Joann Ricci, vice president of organizational effectiveness at the Greater New Orleans Foundation. “As demand grows for their services and programs, nonprofits must continuously seek novel solutions to meet community needs.”

Now in its fifth year, the Pitch It! The Innovation Challenge is supported by the Kresge Foundation and Chevron.  The winner will be selected by the following panel of judges:

  • Leah Brown, Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs for Chevron’s Gulf of Mexico Business Unit
  • Yvette Ruiz, Vice President, Office of Nonprofit Engagement, JPMorgan Chase
  • Michael Shaw, Program Officer, Kresge Foundation
  • Tod Smith, President and General Manager, WWL-TV