SOCIAL VENTURE PARTNERS PORTLAND ANNOUNCES INVESTMENT IN SERENDIPITY CENTER AND LEP HIGH SCHOOL

PORTLAND, Ore. (May 21, 2010) – Social Venture Partners Portland (SVPP), a local member-governed partnership of philanthropic investors who contribute time, expertise and money to non-profits supporting the well-being of Portland-area children, youth and families, has announced two new Investees (grantees) of its Capacity Building Fund.

  • Serendipity Center – Serendipity Center serves some of the most vulnerable children in our community–those managing mental illness and/or other behavioral disorders that interfere with learning and school participation. Serendipity Center believes that all children are capable of learning if given the right environment. They blend special education and mental health services into the school day–a unique and effective model that allows these children to thrive.
  • The Leadership and Entrepreneurship Public Charter High School (LÊP High) – As a high school serving students from around the Portland metro area, LÊP High engages youth that might have dropped out of traditional schools, many of those from families below the poverty line. LÊP’s intimate and inclusive school environment, hands-on, project-focused education, real-world experiences and high expectations motivate students toward a high level of academic achievement and a strong sense of empowerment.

SVPP pairs financial grantmaking with the business savvy and volunteered time of its Partners (members) to execute on key initiatives within these nonprofits that will amplify organizational strength and deepen community impact. SVPP Partners will be assisting Serendipity Center’s leadership with strategic matters including marketing, planning and outcomes measurement. Partners will also be assisting LÊP High with operational and strategic matters including facilities, finances and fund development, planning and board development and strengthening community connections.

Serendipity Center and LÊP High join four current Investees: C.A.S.H. Oregon, Friends of the Children–Portland, Listen to Kids, and Portland Reading Foundation.

In total, SVPP gave more than $130,000 in 2009 and will top $1.4 million in 2010 in direct investment since their inception in 2001.

“I am proud that our Partners are taking on tough community needs with these new investments,” said Mark Holloway, executive director of SVPP. “Children with mental illness are some of the most vulnerable in our community and developing high quality alternative solutions for high schoolers is not easy in Oregon. We’re committed to these new Investees because they are some of the best and brightest nonprofits in our community serving two critical needs.”

ABOUT SOCIAL VENTURE PARTNERS PORTLAND

Social Venture Partners Portland is a member-governed and -funded nonprofit organization of engaged citizens committed to achieving measurable social change in the four county area surrounding Portland, Oregon. The Partners give time, money, and expertise to strengthen innovative nonprofit organizations and develop strategic solutions to community problems. It is an affiliate of SVP International, a network of 25 organizations and 2000 Partners following the “venture philanthropy” model of investing around the world. For more information, please contact Executive Director Mark Holloway at 503-222-0114, mark@svpportland.org, or please visit http://www.svpportland.org.

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