SVPP Effective in Increasing Partners’ Strategic Giving and Volunteering

July 13, 2009. SVP Report on Impact in Philanthropy Development

Social Venture Partners Portland latest outcomes report on our effectiveness in developing philanthropy among our Partners shows that:

  • In 2009, we found that 68.3% of Partners who responded increased their giving since joining SVPP (in 2007, it was 63%).
  • 77% said their involvement with SVPP had at least some impact on that increase (2007: 60%)
  • Among those Partners that identify themselves as becoming more strategic in their giving, 100% said their involvement with SVPP had at least some impact on that change. (2007: 72%)
  • Among those Partners that identify as becoming more involved in their communities, 94% said their involvement with SVPP had at least some impact on that change. (2007: 80%) The most common reasons cited for SVPP’s influence were:
    - Meeting other Partners (23%)
    - Volunteering with an Investee (23%)
    - Serving on an internal SVPP committee or SVPP Board (23%)

See the full report: “Really Giving Back: SVPP’s 2009 Philanthropy Outcomes Report“

With its dual mission of developing philanthropy and volunteerism among its members (Partners) and building the capacity of nonprofit organizations (Investees), SVPP surveys each constituency every other year to obtain information about its effectiveness in each area. In the 2009 survey of Partners, 66% of Partner households responded to questions about:

  • Changes in how much Partners give (Amount of Giving)
  • Changes in the way Partners give (Strategic Giving)
  • Changes in Partners’ involvement in their communities (Community Involvement)
  • Changes in Partners’ knowledge of nonprofits and community issues (Partner Knowledge)

SVPP develops philanthropy through donor education seminars, connecting Partners with Investees to do volunteer work, and providing opportunities for Partners to serve on investment committees.

In 2008, five of six Investees surveyed (83%) gave SVPP information about its effectiveness in building their capacity to better serve the community. See this 2008 Capacity Building Outcomes report here. SVP Portland’s outcomes were compared to the international SVP network in “Successful Partnerships: 2008 Capacity Building Outcomes Report.”


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