Curtain Up: How Fast Pitch Connections Turn into Lasting Catalyst Partnerships 

Hot on the heels of announcing our newest Fast Pitch Cohort, it’s the perfect time to look at what happens after the bright lights of the Fast Pitch stage fade. Partnering with SVP Chicago isn’t a one-and-done event—it’s an ongoing, backstage collaboration rooted in deep connection and tailored to whatever an organization needs most, right when they need it.

Take the partnership between Mike Bass, Founder & Executive Director of Intergenerational Computer Education (IgCE), and Paula Fitzgerald, SVP Partner and Mike's Fast Pitch Coach. What started as preparation for a three-minute pitch in 2025 blossomed into a multi-act, hands-on collaboration.

Act I: Scripting the Strategy

Nonprofit founders play every role in the theater, and time is always the scarcest prop. When Mike and Paula first teamed up, their main focus was helping Mike build momentum and direct his focus as he transitioned into full-time nonprofit leadership.

Together, they mapped out a clear framework for decision-making—a strategic plan and filter to evaluate incoming opportunities. This empowered Mike to say yes to high-impact initiatives and a soft no to scenes that pulled focus from his mission. Today, Paula remains a trusted thought partner whenever unexpected plot twists arise for IgCE.

"Paula wasn’t just superficial involvement—she provided practical, meaningful support," says Mike. "She acts as a true thought partner and strategist. I can call her about any challenge, and she helps me figure things out. Having her in my corner gave me confidence and made me feel like I wasn’t working alone."

Act II: Stepping Out from Behind the Scenes

SVP Partners don't just offer guidance from afar—they roll up their sleeves and join the ensemble in action. In Summer 2025, Paula joined IgCE’s summer capstone event as a guest judge for 18 graduating students. Beyond evaluating student presentations, she stayed for the celebration and ran an interactive workshop on professional networking etiquette—coaching the cohort on how to deliver a confident, interview-ready handshake when stepping into corporate spaces.

Act III: Setting the Stage (With 30 Fully Functional Laptops!)

When a Community Partner connects with an SVP Partner, they aren't just gaining one person's time—they're opening the door to an entire network. While catching up with former colleagues from a Fortune 500 company, Paula couldn't help but brag about IgCE’s mission and Mike’s incredible work. Word quickly spread to an IT team, leading to a surprise offer: 30 retired—but fully functional—Windows laptops ready for a new home. Before long, Paula showed up with a trunk full of tech ready to equip IgCE’s students for their next stage of growth.

"Had I not been part of SVP, this connection never would have happened," Paula shared. "It’s a great reminder of the true power of our networks."

The Takeaways

The Fast Pitch program is an intensive build to a big event, but the journey with SVP Chicago—whether you're a Community Partner or an SVP Partner—goes far beyond the stage!

• For Community Partners: Great coaching matches like Mike and Paula’s are special, but while a Fast Pitch Coach might be a first point of contact, no single Coach is expected to have every answer or skill set in their wheelhouse as your organization grows. Our network is built to evolve right alongside you.

  Whether you need a sounding board for a new challenge, specialized expertise, or a fresh perspective, your Fast Pitch Coach is just one of many doors into the community. Reach out to Colleen anytime—she’s always ready to listen, learn more about your evolving goals, and connect you with the right expertise across our full SVP Partner network throughout Chicago’s South and West Sides.

• For SVP Partners: Fast Pitch is so much more than a three-minute pitch on stage—it’s the launching pad for real, hands-on collaboration! Fast Pitch Coaches don’t need to have all the answers on day one, nor are they expected or obligated to provide every piece of support themselves.

  Coaching relationships are meant to grow organically. If your Community Partner runs into a challenge outside your wheelhouse—or if your direct coaching role wraps up—you don't have to carry the load alone. Simply reach out to Colleen! She can seamlessly tap into the broader SVP Partner network to bring in the exact expertise needed, ensuring nonprofit leaders continue to receive an expanding web of community support without placing the ongoing burden on a single SVP Partner.

• For Non-SVP Partner Coaches: If you’ve loved the Fast Pitch experience and want to stay engaged after the curtains close, reach out to Ev Fitzgerald to learn more about joining SVP as a Partner!

• For Everyone: Check out IgCE’s newly overhauled digital home iceprogram.org to see their mission in action! (Honestly, we aren't sure who is more excited about the new site—Mike or Paula!)