Richmond's first accelerator dedicated solely to nonprofits has chosen three organizations to join its inaugural cohort.
NPO Launchpad selected Beyond Boundaries, Shood and VET Fund to join the program, which is designed to assist early-stage nonprofits with fundraising, growing donor bases and connecting with community partners.
It's partnering with VCU's da Vinci Center to provide coworking space, acceleration curriculum and graduate assistant support during the three-month program, which kicks off in September.
Beyond Boundaries offers individuals with disabilities the opportunity to experience outdoor activities in the surrounding community. It was founded by native Richmonders Kyle Burnette and Shep Roeper.
Shood collects gently used running shoes, reconditions them and distributes them to those who are homeless or living in poverty in Richmond. Since launching in 2017, it has distributed more than 2,800 pairs of shoes.
VET Fund provides financial support to pet owners facing financial hardships, whose pets require life-saving veterinary treatment.
The three organizations were selected from NPO Launchpad’s online pitch competition, which received 29 applicants.
The accelerator, co-founded by serial entrepreneurs Pat Hull and Jeff Palumbo, is backed by The Hull Foundation and plans to connect startups with mentors from the Richmond business and nonprofit communities throughout the three months.
“These nonprofits each presented specific challenges for which NPO Launchpad believes can positively impact in a short period of time,” Hull said in a statement.
Along with mentorship, NPO Launchpad will supply coworking office space and support with public relations, social media, software, accounting and cybersecurity.
Palumbo said in June that he’d love to have an NPO member end up making global impact, but its more immediate goal is to support companies that will grow into large organizations in the region.
The program, slated to begin in September, will culminate with a launch party in December where cohort members will showcase their progress to Richmond’s business and donor communities.
