Last Wednesday, on November 15, Starfish Impact’s #SupportingOurSector community initiative culminated in the announcement of its grand prize winner. While every nonprofit that reached the final round (and every nonprofit nominated for that matter) is making a major impact on their work, the winning organization was particularly special.
Starfish Impact (@StarfishMarta) brought together more than a dozen members of the business community (including Social Sector Partners!) to try an innovative way to invest in the community. Each partnered business committed cash and/or custom pro bono services to go to the winning nonprofit—that’s selected solely by popular vote.
The Skid Row Carnival of Love/The Wayfarer Foundation was this year’s grand prize winner. The Wayfarer Foundation, founded by popular TV actor Justin Baldoni, aims to humanize Skid Row’s homeless population through an annual carnival.
“We’re a brand new organization and this money is going to go a long way of making our dream of creating a Carnival that brings people all over the city together to realize the importance of connecting and humanizing those experiencing homelessness to life,” stated Baldoni of the grand prize.
The four other nonprofit finalists were also awarded smaller prizes.
The PLUS ME Project was awarded the Starfish Impact Judges Prize of $4,000.
The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles was awarded the Newmark Knight Frank prize of $2,000.
The Midnight Mission won the Trailblazer Prize of $1,250.
The Not Impossible Foundation won the Launch Prize of $750.
The other nonprofits that were nominated can be found on Starfish Impact’s website.
