Irving business leaders awarded nearly $37,000 to 14 nonprofits at a ceremony Dec. 18 for this year’s Share Tank program. The philanthropic grassroots education program matches businesses wanting to improve the community with nonprofits that administer services in Irving.
The City of Irving, Irving-Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce, Irving Convention and Visitors Bureau, Irving Arts Center, University of Dallas, The Study USA and Philanthropology LLC worked together for the 2019 Share Tank program. Share Tank provides a platform for Irving nonprofits to pitch project ideas benefiting the community to local business leaders who are interested in giving back.
Share Tank Pitch Day took place Dec. 5 at The Study USA. Participating nonprofits had seven minutes to deliver their pitches for a chance to be awarded a grant to help support their efforts. Business leaders had an allotted amount of time to ask questions.
To participate in Share Tank, nonprofit leaders were required to attend four half-day sessions between August and November to learn skills to promote and grow their organizations in order to better assist those in need. The sessions also prepared participants for their Share Tank pitches. The nonprofits support a variety of causes including homelessness, education, veterans’ assistance, health care, protective services and animal rescue.
This year, 40 nonprofits participated in the program. A total of $129,000 in funding has been awarded to 58 nonprofits since the program began in 2016.
