Leadership Bend picks 9 nonprofits for Impact Summit pitches

Leadership Bend’s Class of 2019 selected nine Central Oregon nonprofits to participate in this year’s Impact Summit and have the opportunity to earn more than $10,000 in unrestricted funds.

The hands-on competition has awarded more than $50,000 in unrestricted funds to winning nonprofits in the past four years.

The Impact Summit, which provides training and visibility for local nonprofits, culminates in an opportunity to present in front of a panel of experts during Pitch for a Purpose, presented by Jules Accounting Services, Inc. Pitch for a Purpose, which will take place May 8 at Central Oregon Community College’s Wille Hall, is Central Oregon’s only pitch-style funding competition for nonprofits.

This year’s participants are:

Assistance League of Bend , an organization dedicated to improving the physical and emotional ​ well-being of children and adults in need throughout Deschutes County Beulah’s Place , a Redmond-based shelter that provides drop-in services to homeless teenagers ​ throughout Central Oregon to protect them from child trafficking and offer healing and hope Camp Fire Central Oregon , provides a nurturing, constructive and fun environment for young ​ people to gain critical life skills Central Oregon Avalanche Center , dedicated to increasing avalanche awareness and safety in Central Oregon Changing Patterns , ​ Inc, assists in the transition of one who was once a liability to become an asset and productive member of the community Community Orchestra of Central Oregon , provides a fun and accessible environment for ​ musicians and free concerts in public places La Pine Community Kitchen , provides basic necessities of food and clothing for free to residents ​ of southern Deschutes County, northern Klamath County and western Lake County LightPath, ​ offers programs that support the integration of mind, body and spirit Start Making a Reader Today ​ (SMART), a statewide organization that engages community volunteers to read one-on-one with Pre-K to third grade children for one hour per week Think Wild , whose primary objective is education, outreach and rehabilitation of native wildlife. ​ Last year, The Giving Plate, a local food bank, received $12,000 and used those funds to purchase professional grade freezers to reduce energy costs, increase freezer capacity, and increase the quality of food they have on hand. The money also helped fund the Backpacks for Bend program, which provides food for 450 students in need every week.

“This funding made a lasting impact on us and affects our organization every day,” said Giving Plate Co-Executive Director Ranae Staley.

Learn more about the Impact Summit and Pitch for a Purpose at www.lbimpactsummit.com