Must! Charities pairs nonprofits with coaches for ‘The Pitch’ event
Three-month initiative will include workshops, training sessions and one-on-one coaching
– Must! Charities is launching The Pitch, a new program on the Central Coast that will pair nine nonprofits with expert coaches to strengthen storytelling and communication skills.
The three-month initiative will include workshops, training sessions and one-on-one coaching designed to help each organization craft a three-minute pitch. The pitches will be presented to a live audience and a panel of judges at The Pitch event on Nov. 6 at the Vina Robles Tasting Room on Ramada Drive. Judges will award $45,000 to top presenters, and audience members will have the opportunity to contribute funding to organizations of their choice.
“The Pitch is about more than one night on stage,” said Becky Gray, chief executive officer of Must! Charities. “It’s about equipping organizations with tools to strengthen their communication with their clients, donors, and the broader community for years to come.”
The nine participating organizations and their coaches are:
- Cancer Support Community, coached by Erica Crawford, community liaison at Golden State Wind, and Maggie Tillman, co-owner of Alta Colina Vineyard & Winery.
- Court Appointed Special Advocates, coached by Amanda Wittstrom-Higgins, principal of Full Cup Solutions, and Rachel Rey, strategic planning consultant and coach.
- Center for Child and Adolescent Mental Health, coached by Molly Scott, senior director of grower and community relations at Justin Vineyards & Winery, and Morgan Couch, community relations manager.
- El Camino Homeless Organization, coached by Lisa Strickland, founder of Strickland Strategies, and Cynthia Lohr, co-owner and chief brand officer at J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines.
- Estero Bay Kindness Coalition, coached by Mike Dawson, senior communications strategist at Cal Poly, and Lacie Johns, sales and client experience manager at Relevé Unlimited.
- Habitat for Humanity, coached by Emily Rutter, vice president of people and culture at O’Neill Vintners & Distillers, and Brittany Malone Thompson, broker and realtor.
- Paso Robles Youth Arts Center, coached by Ali Atkinson, human resources expert, and Christine Robertson, executive director of SLO Coastal Education Foundation.
- Restorative Partners, coached by Erin Hoffman, partner and senior consultant at Collaboration Business Consulting.
- SLO Legal Assistance Foundation, coached by Ian Consoli, marketing director at Tablas Creek Vineyard.
“The Pitch gives organizations the rare chance to pause, reflect, and strengthen their message,” said Randy Gray, director of community investments at Must! Charities. “With the guidance of expert coaches, nonprofit leaders gain valuable insight and support to refine their storytelling, deepen their impact, and present their mission with clarity and confidence.”
The event will take place Nov. 6 from 5–7 p.m. Tickets and information are available at mustcharities.org.
