The SVP Model
How It Works
Social Venture Partners Portland (SVPP) combines grant making, volunteerism, nonprofit capacity building and philanthropic education. We call our unique model venture philanthropy.
Partners Pool their Resources
These resources include donations, professional expertise and vast networks, which are then leveraged to gain greater impact. Together we form a brain trust to select promising nonprofits poised for the next stage of development and impact for the community. Then we work closely with them as our Investees.
Identifying Promising Nonprofits
Successful Investees demonstrate the capacity and desire to leverage SVPP in fulfilling their mission. The awards include both unrestricted cash grants and skilled volunteer expertise. These investments are multi-year relationships focused around achieving a next-stage vision for the organization and a lasting positive impact for the community.
Help Through Engaged Philanthropy
This approach is based on a venture capital investment model. It requires a high level of involvement from both parties — the philanthropist and the nonprofit. We assess the organization to determine where help is most needed and surround them with the resources to make them stronger. At the end of each multi-year investment, both our Partners and our Investees have been transformed.
Continuing to Develop the SVPP Community
This type of investment is made more valuable with a strong and educated network of philanthropists. Many of us are new to philanthropy, and for those of us who are only familiar with writing checks, learning to make thoughtful investments in the community takes more work.
SVPP creates numerous provocative education events and engagement opportunities for Partners and prospective Partners, including:
- Partner Education Meetings – larger events pertaining to philanthropy and our core focus: the well-being of children, youth and families
- Chew on This! Dinner Discussions – small group gatherings and conversations on specific topics
- Lunch & Learn Trips – small group visits to a nonprofit and exclusive conversation with their executive leadership–and a tasty lunch with provocative discussion
- Annual Partners’ Meeting – an “annual shareholders’ meeting,” of sorts, featuring a keynote speaker of interest and updates from our Investees
- Social Events – connecting, learning and laughing with each other
The Final Numbers
As a result of involvement with SVPP, more than 52% of Partners increased their giving. Donors find that they are giving more strategically by writing fewer, larger, more targeted checks. Most importantly, members feel their volunteering really makes a difference. Read more about how effective we are in helping donors give more strategically in our latest philanthropy outcomes report.
