Social Venture Partners India (SVP India) brought 10 grassroots nonprofits before a live audience on August 13 as part of the fifth edition of Fast Pitch, an annual virtual event aimed at connecting social-impact organisations with donors, corporate leaders and individuals interested in philanthropy.
The two-hour event featured five-minute pitches from 10 finalist organisations working across education, healthcare, livelihoods, women’s empowerment, disability inclusion, youth development and support for migrant and vulnerable communities. The event was streamed live on YouTube from 5.30pm to 7.30pm IST.
Fast Pitch has, over its previous four editions, featured 46 nonprofits and helped catalyse philanthropic support of more than ₹22.4 crore, with over 9,600 people attending the virtual events live.
This year’s jury included Ronnie Screwvala, Mahesh Yagnaraman and Geeta Goel, who heard presentations from the 10 finalists.
From migrant children to tribal farmers
The organisations that participated this year represented a range of challenges faced by communities across India.
Pune-based CareLeavers Inner Circle (CLiC) Forum is working on aftercare support for young people leaving Child Care Institutions, providing assistance ranging from documentation and housing to skilling, mentoring and employment. Its peer-led model involves care leavers supporting others making the transition into adulthood.
SAMAVESH Action For Impact Foundation works with migrant and first-generation learners in Maharashtra and Jharkhand. Through community centres, it helps families obtain essential documents, access scholarships and stay connected to education. The organisation says it has directly supported more than 3,000 students and helped unlock over ₹7.6 crore in scholarships. One beneficiary, Samadhan Galande, went on to secure admission to the Young India Fellowship at Ashoka University.
{{/usCountry}}SAMAVESH Action For Impact Foundation works with migrant and first-generation learners in Maharashtra and Jharkhand. Through community centres, it helps families obtain essential documents, access scholarships and stay connected to education. The organisation says it has directly supported more than 3,000 students and helped unlock over ₹7.6 crore in scholarships. One beneficiary, Samadhan Galande, went on to secure admission to the Young India Fellowship at Ashoka University.
{{/usCountry}}Other finalists included Deesha Education Foundation, which is working on corneal care and eye banking in underserved parts of Maharashtra; Lift For Upliftment, which provides free NEET coaching and residential support to students from low-income and tribal communities; and Neev Shikshan Sanstha, which works with teachers and Anganwadi workers to improve foundational literacy and numeracy.
Karnataka-based Jaya Organic Yojana is focused on regenerative agriculture and livelihood diversification for smallholder, tribal and women farmers. Its programmes cover practices such as soil restoration, crop diversification, beekeeping and other rural enterprises.
Beyond a fundraising pitch
The Fast Pitch model is designed to go beyond giving nonprofits a platform to solicit donations. According to SVP India, finalists undergo due diligence, pitch communications training, one-to-one coaching and institutional-strengthening support before appearing at the event.
The remaining finalists included SPARSH, which is working with tribal communities in Gadchiroli to challenge menstrual isolation practices; Sristi Foundation, which has developed a lifelong inclusion model for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities; Vaishnavi Welfare and Charitable Trust, which focuses on maternal and child anaemia; and Vardhishnu Social Research & Development Society, which creates learning spaces for children affected by child labour, migration and educational exclusion.
The event was intended for CSR professionals, foundations, family offices, business leaders and individuals, including students, retirees and homemakers, who want to learn about grassroots organisations and participate in giving.
Fast Pitch 2026 was held virtually on Thursday, August 13, from 5.30pm. Registration was available through SVP India’s event page, with registered participants receiving event reminders and livestream access.