Hurry: Pitch your innovative idea now!

Hurry! Applications are closing soon for COORDINARE – South Eastern NSW PHN’s inaugural Pitch Night. If you are part of a community-based organisation in the Shellharbour or Wollongong Local Government Area (LGA) with an innovative idea, then apply now for a share of $160,000!

According to Dianne Kitcher, CEO of South Eastern NSW PHN, the Pitch Night is an event which will be held in Wollongong on 26 June for local community-based organisations, including not-for-profits, to pitch their innovative ideas and gain exposure and funding.

“This round of funding is focused on improving the health and wellbeing of refugees, Aboriginal people and youth at risk,” said Ms Kitcher.

“We are encouraging participation and applications from youth groups, multicultural groups, as well as other not-for-profit organisations within Wollongong and Shellharbour Local Government Areas.”

Applications will be assessed and shortlisted, with three selected by an evaluation panel as the final candidates for Pitch Night.

“The finalists will attend a half-day workshop with experts from The Funding Network where they will develop their stories, and get tips and advice on how to deliver a compelling pitch.

“Then on 26 June, they will then pitch their idea to a crowd of around 100 people,” said Ms Kitcher.

Once all three six-minute pitches are heard, the crowd will have the opportunity to ask questions and then pledge COORDINARE funding to one or more initiatives of their choice.

“While distributing grant funding isn’t new, giving a crowd of community members the opportunity to distribute funding across grassroots organisations is an innovative concept,” said Ms Kitcher.

“Our aim is to include the broader community in the decision-making process, lending itself to participatory budgeting; a democratic idea where stakeholders and the community are engaged to directly decide how and where to allocate funding.

“The benefit for those pitching is to gain exposure of their ideas, community support and funding to move their initiative forward,” she added.

Submissions close on Tuesday 7 May.

This initiative is supported by funding from COORDINARE – South Eastern NSW PHN through the Australian Government’s PHN Program.