San Antonio (Oct. 14, 2024) – Geekdom and Social Venture Partners San Antonio (SVPSA) have announced the launch of Mission Pitch, a program designed to empower local nonprofit organizations with the resources, mentorship, and funding needed to innovate and expand their impact in the community. Geekdom and SVPSA announced their partnership today during San Antonio Startup Week.
 
Set to culminate with a pitch competition in October 2025, Mission Pitch invites nonprofit leaders and social entrepreneurs to present their innovative solutions to pressing social challenges. Top competitors receivesignificant funding and strategic support to fuel their growth.
 
A New Approach to Nonprofit Success
Recognizing that nonprofits face many of the same challenges as for-profit businesses, Mission Pitchreimagines the way nonprofits are supported. “We always encourage nonprofits to think like for-profit businesses. Many organizations are restricted by traditional, program-based funding that often doesn’t allow for long-term growth,” said Becky Dinnin, Executive Director of SVPSA. 
 
Mission Pitch will address common barriers nonprofits face, including difficulties in securing sustainable funding, a lack of confidence in fundraising efforts, and insufficient support for growth. The competition is designed to offer more than just one-time financial awards. Participants will receive six to eight weeks of intensive coaching and training, designed to build their leadership capabilities, enhance their storytelling, and improve their fundraising strategies.
 
Collaborating to Foster Social Entrepreneurship
This partnership between Geekdom, a collaborative community that provides programming to help entrepreneurs ideate, cultivate, shape and grow their ventures, and SVPSA, known for strengthening the capacity of local nonprofits, will combine the entrepreneurial spirit with the social impact goals of nonprofits.
 
“Geekdom has always been a hub for innovation and collaboration. We believe that the same principles of entrepreneurship can empower nonprofits to find creative solutions to community issues,” said Charles Woodin, CEO of Geekdom. “By providing mentorship, resources, and a collaborative ecosystem, we’re giving these social entrepreneurs the tools they need to build sustainable organizations that can make a lasting impact.”
 
The Mission Pitch initiative will unfold over the next year. Nonprofits may indicate their interest by submitting their information at https://bit.ly/missionpitch. Formal applications are scheduled to open in June of 2025. The selected nonprofits will vie for funding and gain access to expert mentorship, coworking space at Geekdom, and opportunities to engage with a network of potential donors and investors. The programming will begin in August 2025, and the program will culminate in the Mission Pitch competition during San Antonio Startup Week in October 2025. 
 
Long-term Vision and Impact
The broader vision for Mission Pitch extends beyond the immediate outcomes of the competition. Both Geekdom and SVPSA aim to position San Antonio as a hub for nonprofit innovation, attracting philanthropic investments and social entrepreneurs who are eager to address the community’s evolving needs.
 
“We’re creating an environment where social entrepreneurs can thrive, by providing them with the tools and support necessary to scale their ideas,” said Mariangela Zavala, Director of Partnerships at Geekdom. “Our ultimate goal is to elevate San Antonio’s reputation as a city where nonprofits can grow and make a measurable impact on the lives of the people they serve.”
 
About Geekdom
Founded in 2011, Geekdom is a collaborative startup community building San Antonio one entrepreneur at a time. The center of the San Antonio startup ecosystem, Geekdom offers its members resources and opportunities that empower entrepreneurs to ideate, cultivate, shape, and grow ideas into viable businesses ready for the next level. Geekdom is located on four floors in the Rand Building, 110 East Houston St., in the heart of downtown San Antonio. Geekdom also manages the City of San Antonio’s small business resource center, Launch SA, located at the Central Library at 600 Soledad St. For more information, visitwww.geekdom.com. Follow Geekdom on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram (@GeekdomSA) and LinkedIn.
 
About Social Venture Partners San Antonio
Social Venture Partners San Antonio (SVPSA) connects philanthropic individuals and foundations with nonprofits to strengthen their ability to solve community problems. Through this engagement and collaborative approach, SVPSA helps build capacity and sustainability in local nonprofit organizations. Visit  https://www.svpsa.org to learn more.