Fast Pitch
About Fast Pitch
Since 2015, the Dallas Influencers in Sports and Entertainment (DISE) has held an event called Fast Pitch, where local DFW-area nonprofits “pitch” a panel of judges and the audience on why their organization deserves grant dollars to help them achieve their mission and goals, with each walking away with a portion of $100,000 in grants. These organizations have always been focused on youth health, education, and sports.
The event not only allows us to support these organizations with much-needed funding, but also provides a spotlight and platform to recognize all the outstanding work that each nonprofit is doing right here in North Texas.
DISE also presents the Heart of Dallas Award during Fast Pitch. This community excellence award recognizes a celebrity who has made a big impact through their foundation or a charity they support. Previous recipients include Dirk Nowitzki, Jamie Benn, Emmitt and Pat Smith, Clayton Kershaw, Troy Aikman, DeMarcus Lawrence, Nancy Lieberman, Charles Haley, and DeMarcus Ware.
Through Fast Pitch, DISE has donated more than $1,000,000 to local nonprofits to date, including grants to the nonprofits or foundations of local athletes.
Upcoming Fast Pitch Events
Join us on Thursday, November 6, 2025 and network with industry professionals while you support local nonprofits. Our 2025 Heart of Dallas Award recipient will be John Isner.
FAST PITCH 2025
thursday, November 6, 2025 | 6:00pm - 10:00pm
The Terrace |2554 Elm St., Suite 300, Dallas, TX 75226
Food Stations | Open Bar | Silent Auction
Attire: Business Casual
Complimentary Valet Available
About Our Heart of Dallas Award Recipient
John Isner, one of America’s most accomplished tennis players and a former top-10 ATP star, is best known for his record-breaking Wimbledon match in 2010 and his powerful serve. Off the court, he and his family founded The Isner Family Foundation, which provides Indigent Family Assistance through an endowed fund at Children’s Health. The fund helps cover essentials such as meals, lodging, transportation, and medical supplies for families while their children receive care.
How to Apply
Finalists have already been selected for this year’s Fast Pitch event.
Non-profit organizations with a mission that focuses on Youth Sports (with physical activity programs in an effort to encourage a healthy lifestyle), Youth Health (support children in health and medical crisis), or Youth Education (dedicated to enriching children’s lives and equipping them for the future by promoting literacy and educational opportunities) are encouraged to apply via our website during the Letter of Inquiry (LOI) application period.
Partners
Are you interested in sponsoring Fast Pitch? We have a variety of packages available for local properties, brands, and organizations to get involved. Reach out to a board member for more information or contact us.
Presenting Partner
Associate Partners
Heart of Dallas Award Partner
Community Supporters
Past Events
Fast Pitch 2024
Heart of Dallas Award Recipients: demarcus ware & charles haley
Grants to to Breakthrough T1D (DeMarcus Ware) and Tackle Tomorrow (Charles Haley)
Nonprofit Finalists:
30~TalkCares
After-School All-Stars
Grant Halliburton Foundation
Jubilee Park & Community Center
Fast Pitch 2021
Heart of Dallas Award Recipient: NANCY LIEBERMAN
Grant to to Nancy Lieberman Charities (earmarked for Dallas area “Dream Court” construction)
Nonprofit Finalists:
After-School All-Stars North Texas
Child and Family Guidance Center
Dallas CASA
First Tee of Fort Worth
Grant Halliburton Foundation
Oak Hill Academy
It was at the 2021 event that DISE officially achieved the goal of giving back one million dollars to local nonprofits!
Fast Pitch 2020 (Virtual)
Heart of Dallas Award Recipient: DeMarcus Lawrence
Grant to Ronald McDonald House of Dallas, Inc.
Nonprofit Finalists:
After8 To Educate
Embrace Action
Youth With Faces
While Fast Pitch looked different in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic - the event was held virtually, with nonprofits featured on digital and social ahead of the live event - the very real impact of both the grants and the awareness for these organizations had never been more important.
In light of the racial justice movement and civil unrest that became a hallmark of 2020, the DISE board of directors wanted to further target the featured nonprofits to those making an impact not only with youth causes and initiatives, but also in social justice reform or diversity and inclusion.
DISE has been proactive in addressing the issues that affect both the sports industry and the Dallas community in the past, and in 2020, held eight virtual webinars with local sports leaders surrounding the impact of the pandemic and co-hosted a virtual speakers series with Black Sports Professionals - North Texas and Women in Sports and Events - DFW called DFW Sports United in Action: A Roadmap for Change, which talked about racial unrest, diversity in sports, racial and gender equality, and inclusion in a way that created lists of action items to fuel real change.