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Hi John,
Atlas Network’s Smart Bets Virtual Pitch Competition is back, and on September 25 we will welcome ten of our partners to compete for a chance to win our grand prize at this year’s Liberty Forum & Freedom Dinner.
Today, I’d like to share with you the history of our Smart Bets program and clear up any confusion since it’s undergone some changes over the years…
The program was first conceived in 2019 with the generous support of the Smith Family Foundation.
The idea was simple.
To ensure the program's unique funding opportunities made a maximum impact, selected organizations should have to compete for the additional funding.
Contenders would create a presentation and pitch directly to donors how their organization has changed lives and how much better it could do with a more considerable investment.
The first-round pitch competition was initially called the U.S. Investors Summit for Liberty, and it was an in-person, private event that occurred at the start of the Liberty Forum & Freedom Dinner in New York City.
The donors selected the top three finalists who would then present on the big stage and compete for the grand prize.
Each year, the winner takes home up to $100,000 in grants, prizes, and awards.
We renamed the program Smart Bets in 2020, and it now benefits participants throughout the full year.
In addition to taking part in our pitch competition, Smart Bets partners receive ongoing:
- Membership in and access to our Smart Bets brain-trust
- Priority consideration to our training and consulting opportunities
- Visibility and recognition within the network
We have since changed the first-round pitch competition to a virtual event and scheduled it for a couple of months before Liberty Forum & Freedom Dinner.
The Smart Bets program has come a long way since its inception, and we’re excited to hear from this year’s participants.
Register for Atlas Network's 2025 Smart Bets Virtual Pitch Competition here. Then, cast your ballot for your favorite pro-freedom projects by selecting the three organizations you think should compete for the grand prize here.
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