PRESS RELEASE: Community Foundation of Northern Nevada Hosts First-Ever Philanthropy in Practice Pitch Showcase as Six Local Nonprofits Raise $25,466 and Inspire Nearly 200 Community Members

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Community Foundation of Northern Nevada Hosts First-Ever Philanthropy in Practice Pitch Showcase as Six Local Nonprofits Raise $25,466 and Inspire Nearly 200 Community Members

Reno, Nev. — February 20, 2026 — The Community Foundation of Northern Nevada proudly hosted its inaugural Philanthropy in Practice Pitch Showcase on February 12, 2026, celebrating local innovation, nonprofit leadership, and community generosity. Nearly 200 community members gathered to hear compelling pitches from six Northern Nevada nonprofits that participated in a five-month capacity building cohort supported by the Fidelity Charitable Catalyst Fund.

The participating organizations included Boosted Diploma, High Sierra Area Health Education Center, Nevada Center for Engagement, One Truckee River, Soulful Seeds, and Spread the Word Nevada. Each nonprofit delivered a live, mission focused‑focused pitch highlighting their work, their impact, and their vision for the future.

Led by the Community Foundation’s Director of Community Engagement, Maricela Gutierrez Rodriguez, the Philanthropy in Practice cohort equipped these nonprofits with intensive training, professional coaching, and free technical assistance from leading industry experts. Over five months, organizations strengthened their storytelling, fundraising strategies, evaluation tools, and long term‑term sustainability planning—culminating in the public showcase.

“The Pitch Showcase was a celebration of the dedication and impact that nonprofits bring to our region every day,” said Gutierrez Rodriguez. “Watching these leaders share their work with such clarity and passion was incredibly inspiring. The community’s response shows how deeply people care about supporting local solutions. Collective giving can truly be transformational.”

Together, the six nonprofits raised $25,466 during the event and cultivated new donor relationships for future, larger gifts in the coming weeks. These donations will directly strengthen their ongoing programming in food security, youth education, environmental stewardship, civic engagement, workforce development, and community health. In addition to fundraising success, the Pitch Showcase significantly increased public awareness of the critical services these organizations provide across Northern Nevada.

“The Community Foundation is committed to investing in local nonprofit capacity as one way to continue to grow local philanthropy,” said Eaton Dunkelberger, CEO & President of the Community Foundation of Northern Nevada. “We know stronger nonprofits equal a stronger community, and we’re proud to highlight organizations that are evolving quickly to make positive changes in our region.”

The Community Foundation of Northern Nevada plans to continue the Philanthropy in Practice model in future years, expanding opportunities for nonprofits to build skills, connect with donors, and accelerate their mission-driven work.

About the Community Foundation of Northern Nevada
The Community Foundation of Northern Nevada is a nonprofit organization that strengthens communities by connecting donors who care with causes that matter. Through donor-advised funds, grantmaking, and collaborative initiatives, CFNN fosters sustainable solutions to regional challenges. To date, we have given out over $200M in grants.

Media Contact:

Nikki Peterson
Director of Marketing and Communications
928-231-9526
npeterson@nevadafund.org