Coachella Valley nonprofits awarded $140,000 in grants and compete for $50,000 prize

Twelve nonprofit organizations from the Coachella Valley are set to pitch for more than $50,000 in prize money at the NPO Desert Fast Pitch Grand Finale on Oct. 1 at Agua Caliente Casino & Resort. The competition follows a Shark‑Tank format, with the winning nonprofit receiving $20,000, second place $15,000, third place $10,000 and a $5,000 audience‑choice award.

Separately, Cathedral City announced $90,000 in grant funding for 18 local nonprofits and six artists. The Community Assistance Grant Program allocated $70,000 to groups providing health, human services and emergency preparedness, while the Community Arts Grant Program awarded $20,000 to support performances, festivals and arts education. Recipients include the Boys & Girls Club of Cathedral City, Read With Me Volunteer Program, Coachella Valley Disaster Preparedness Network and the Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus, among others.