ROTARY MIAMI BRICKELL PITCH NIGHT

A 'Shark Tank' style pitch night in which you have the chance to win $1,000 towards a service project in Miami

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the Rotary Club of Miami Brickell?

A: The Rotary Club of Miami Brickell is a local chapter of Rotary International, a global service organization. The club is based in the Brickell neighborhood of Miami, Florida. Our primary aim is to bring together professionals and community leaders to engage in service projects that benefit our local community and beyond. Together, we play a vital role in fostering fellowship among community members while making a tangible impact through service projects and initiatives.

Q: What are the application requirements?

A: 

1. Purpose: The project must address a specific need within the Miami community, demonstrating clear impact and benefit. Applications for general operating support will not be considered; projects must be project/activity focused.

2. Budget: We welcome projects of all sizes, including grassroots initiatives that require a modest budget. The total proposed project budget should not exceed $10,000. If the total project budget exceeds $1,000, organizations must secure all required funds above $1,000 before the June 10th presentation. We encourage and support initiatives that make a meaningful impact, regardless of their scale or budgetary requirements.

3. Timeline: Projects should be planned to take place between July and December 2025.

4. In-Person Presentation: Finalists must be available to present in-person on Tuesday, June 10th. Finalists will be notified by May 30th if they have qualified for the final round of presentations. Not all applicants will be selected for the final round.

5. Volunteer Component: Projects must include a volunteer or support component within Miami-Dade County. Rotary Club of Miami Brickell volunteers should be offered the opportunity to participate, though volunteers are not limited to Rotary members.

6. Eligibility: Applicants can be either members of the community or registered 501(c)3 non-profit organizations. For-profit businesses are not eligible to apply..

Q: Is there a minimum or maximum size or scope requirement for the project?

A: We welcome projects of ALL sizes, including grassroots initiatives that require a modest budget. The total proposed project budget should not exceed $10,000. If the total project budget exceeds $1,000, organizations must secure all required funds above $1,000 before the June 10th presentation. We encourage and support initiatives that make a meaningful impact, regardless of their scale or budgetary requirements.

Q: What if I cannot be present in person on June 10th? Is Zoom an option?

A: No, Zoom is not an option. Finalists must be available to present in-person on Tuesday, June 10th from 6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn, Brickell.

Finalists will be notified by May 30th and if they have qualified for the final round of presentations. Not all applicants will be selected for the final round.

Q: When will I find out if my application was selected as a finalist?

A: Finalists will be notified by May 30th if they have qualified for the final round of presentations. Not all applicants will be selected for the final round. If your project is not selected, please know that it is not a reflection of its quality or significance. We received many high-quality submissions, and unfortunately, we are unable to select everyone for the final round of consideration.

Q: If I am selected as a Finalist, what should I expect from the presentation portion of Pitch Night? How long will I have to present? Am I allowed to use a PowerPoint Presentation or other tools?

A: During the in-person presentation, finalists will have the opportunity to showcase their service project to our panel of judges, which will be made up of members of the Rotary Club of Miami Brickell members.

You will have 3 minutes to deliver your presentation to the judges. Visual aids, such as PowerPoint presentations, are permitted if needed to enhance your pitch and effectively communicate key points. Be concise, engaging, and persuasive in conveying what makes your project special or unique. Share your passion with the judges! Have fun!

Following your presentation, there will be a short Q&A portion where the judges may seek clarification or additional information about your project. Be prepared to answer questions confidently and provide further insights into your project's details and impact potential.

All details will be shared with finalists no later than June 2nd. 

Q: What are some examples of qualifying projects?

A: Here are some project ideas that could qualify for Rotary Miami Brickell Pitch Night, meeting all the specified requirements:

Community Garden Initiative: Establishing community gardens in underserved neighborhoods of Miami-Dade County, providing fresh produce to residents while also offering educational programs on sustainable gardening practices.

Environmental Cleanup and Conservation: Organizing community-wide clean-up events to remove litter and debris from parks, beaches, and waterways in Miami-Dade County, promoting environmental awareness and stewardship.

Literacy and Education Enhancement: Implementing a literacy initiative aimed at improving reading proficiency among children in Miami, offering tutoring, reading workshops, and access to books for families in low-income communities.

Food Insecurity Relief Program: Establishing a food pantry or meal delivery service to address food insecurity among vulnerable populations in Miami, ensuring access to nutritious food for individuals and families in need.

Health and Wellness Initiative: Launching a wellness program focused on promoting physical and mental well-being in Miami, offering fitness classes, nutrition workshops, and mental health support services to residents of all ages.

These project ideas align with the requirements of Rotary Miami Brickell Pitch Night by focusing on specific community needs, having a volunteer component, and aiming to make a positive impact within the Miami-Dade County area.

Q: What are some examples of projects that would not qualify?

A: These examples illustrate the types of projects that would not align with the criteria and objectives of Rotary Miami Brickell Pitch Night, which prioritizes funding impactful and meaningful service projects with a focus on community benefit and charitable impact.

For-Profit Business Ventures: Projects aimed solely at generating profit for a business or individual, without a significant charitable or service component, would not qualify. For example, a proposal to open a new restaurant or boutique store would not be eligible.

Personal Expenses or General Operating Costs: Requests for funding to cover personal expenses or general operating costs of an organization, without a specific project or activity focus, would not meet the criteria. For instance, seeking funding to pay staff salaries or rent for an organization's office space would not be considered.

Political Campaigns or Advocacy Efforts: Projects that primarily aim to promote a political campaign or advance a specific advocacy agenda, without a clear charitable or community service objective, would not be eligible. This includes lobbying efforts or partisan activities.

Projects Outside of Miami-Dade County: Initiatives that do not take place within the geographic boundaries of Miami-Dade County would not qualify for Rotary Miami Brickell Pitch Night, as the focus is on supporting projects within the local community.

Event Sponsorship or Advertising: Requests for funding to sponsor events, conferences, or advertising campaigns that do not directly contribute to a specific community service project would not qualify. For instance, seeking funding to sponsor a sports event or advertise a commercial product would not meet the criteria.

Thank you for your dedication to service and for your interest in Rotary Miami Brickell Pitch Night. We look forward to the opportunity to learn more about your project.