Nine Woman-Founded Nonprofits Named Finalists for Title Nine’s Pitchfest

May 6, 2021

Inaugural event supporting equity draws diverse applicants in reproductive rights, politics, and sport organizations

Emeryville, Calif. (May 6, 2021)– Title Nine, the adventure and outdoor apparel retailer that encourages women to risk, lead and own, is proud to announce the nine incredible woman-founded organizations chosen as finalists in its inaugural annual Pitchfest Nonprofit Edition. As finalists, these women are leading movements of equality and progress in their respective fields that include reproductive rights, politics and leadership, and sports and outdoor programs.

The first-annual Pitchfest NPE will be a two-day event focused on gathering together women leaders in the nonprofit sector to pitch their programs, work with mentors, have a platform to spread awareness via Title Nine’s channels, and win cash to continue building their organizations. Winners will receive grants of up to $10,000, with a total of $25,000 in funding awarded.

“We hand-selected these ninewoman-founded nonprofits from an extremely impressive pool of organizations,” said Missy Park, founder and CEO of Title Nine.“The large number of applicants for a first-year event certainly speaks to this age of advocacy and how passionate our community is about creating meaningful impact. It’s truly inspiring to see Title Nine’s ethos of risking, leading, and owning expressed differently in each unique project. We feel honored to invite this group of leaders into our supportive learning space and entrepreneurial network.”

The nine finalists for the 2021 Title Nine Pitchfest Nonprofit Edition, selected out of nearly 100 applicants, are as follows:

• Color the Water is committed to fighting racism by creating a community of autonomous BIPOC surfers. CTW is changing contemporary colonized coastal culture into a joyful, anti-racist celebration of true inclusivity, diversity, and ocean access equity.
• Gaia Passages centers youth expressing their full selves in multicultural nature-based programs.
• Girls Outdoor Adventure in Leadership (GOALS) aims to transform STEM, the outdoors, and society by investing in the professional and personal development of women and girls* who are scientists, outdoors-people, and social change leaders.
• Girls Taking Up Space provides free holistic wellness programs for girls of color that empower girls to nurture their minds, bodies and spirits.
• &Mother is dedicated to breaking the barriers that limit a woman’s choice to pursue and thrive in both career and motherhood.
• Freedom Community Clinic provides direct whole-person care to underestimated communities, prioritizing Black, Brown, Indigenous, and undocumented women, children, and families.
• Rosie the Riveter Trust Rosie’s Service Corps introduces the “We Can Do It!” spirit to a new generation of girl-identifying young people by fostering a gender-inclusive culture of makers.
• The Practice Space builds confidence and community through communication skill development to advance inclusion, develop empathy, and elevate underrepresented voices.
• Girls Crushing It empowers girls to flex their leadership muscles through entrepreneurial experiences designed to increase confidence and build leadership skills.

Finalists are invited to attend Pitchfest NPE on May 20th – May 21st, 2021 at Title Nine’s headquarters in Emeryville, CA. While the Title Nine team is prepared to host the event at its headquarters by observing appropriate social distancing and safety practices, the safety of teammates, applicants and the community is the top priority. The Pitchfest NPE may also be held virtually in the event concerns arise around COVID-19.

The first day of the event, finalists will participate in a full-day of workshops aimed at creating a community of finalists and a support system of nonprofit and Title Nine leaders. Workshops will offer insights into fundraising strategies, support and advice for common difficulties women face in the nonprofit sector, and consulting on topics from social media to accounting, to help each finalist advance their organization.

Pitchfest NPE will feature a panel of top women leaders in the nonprofit community, a Q & A with Title Nine CEO Missy Park, team hikes and workouts, and women-run vendors offering food and beverage. The event will culminate with seven minute pitches by each of the finalists to a panel of judges. Winners will be announced on May 21st, 2021.

Pitchfest NPE mentors and judges include Jen Gurecki, Founder – Coalition Snow, Editor – SISU Magazine, Executive Director – Zawadisha; Erin Badillo, Executive Director – Dress for Success SF; Noriko Morimoto, Chief Marketing Officer – Title Nine; Nettie Pardue, Executive Director – Outward Bound CA, Kailin Chou, Director of Membership Services – Alliance for Girls.

Please visit the Title Nine Pitchfest Nonprofit Edition website for more information. www.titlenine.com/pitchfest-nonprofit.

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Media contact: Anna Avery, OutsidePR, anna@outsidepr.com.

About Title Nine: Title Nine was founded in 1989 as a women’s outdoor performance wear company whose goal is to outfit and inspire women to take risks, lead in their communities, and seek their own adventures. Today, the women-owned company employs over 300 people and has 18 stores in 9 states, and online at titlenine.com. Selling a range of top brands curated for active women who are on-the-go, the brand has increasingly devoted much of its collections to its own brand creations ranging from swimwear to performance dresses. The company advocates forcefully for women’s issues, including creating their Pitchfest Programs, yearly events for women-owned brands and nonprofits that promote, mentor, and encourage entrepreneurs and activists.