SDSVP Continues to Grow and Invest $500,000 Cash and In-kind Services to Two Senior Service Organizations

San Diego Social Venture Partners announced our two new Investees at our Annual Party in June. We are pleased to welcome ElderLaw & Advocacy (www.seniorlaw-sd.org) and ElderHelp (www.elderhelpofsandiego.org) to our portfolio. Each will receive approximately $250,000 in cash and in-kind services over the next three years.

Elder Law & Advocacy has been providing free legal services to elderly clients in San Diego and Imperial Counties. It sends attorneys into the community to provide free legal services at senior and community centers and nutrition sites. ElderHelp provides personal services and information that help seniors remain independent and live with dignity in their own homes and community.

SDSVP makes grant investments and provides professional skill and expertise to nonprofit organizations in San Diego County. Current Investees, i.e. organizations receiving funding from SDSVP, include Angels Foster Network, La Cuna, Community Resource Center, Corporation for Supportive Housing, ElderHelp of San Diego and Elder Law & Advocacy.

Founding Partner Alan Sorkin says, “San Diego Social Venture Partners is catalyzing the next generation of philanthropists and is quietly causing accelerated social change with leveraged giving contingent upon our nonprofits hitting agreed upon outcomes, making them work more effectively."


“A key differentiator for SDSVP as a grantmaker is that we are committed to strengthening and supporting the long-term capacity of a nonprofit organization to fulfill its mission,” explains Peggy Kidd, Executive Director for SDSVP. “We make multi-year financial and human resource commitments and we educate our partners about philanthropy and how to best address the needs in the community. In short, Social Venture Partners is not about funding short-term projects or programs – we know it takes more than that for an organization to thrive.”

SDSVP is one of 25 affiliates within the Social Venture Partners network of organizations in the United States, Canada and Tokyo with more than 1,900 partners (members) who contribute to their communities by making strategic and effective investments of time, money and professional expertise in local nonprofit organizations.

The SVP model of philanthropy was created in 1997 in Seattle, Washington. As interest in this new approach to philanthropy grew, Social Venture Partners organizations began developing throughout North America. By 2001, a loose network had formed, and Social Venture Partners International (SVPI) was created to support and advance this network. According to SVPI, the network is experiencing substantial yet organic growth via word-of-mouth marketing alone. Five new affiliates joined the network in the last 18 months and there has been a 14 percent increase in total partners (members) between 2007 and 2008.

About San Diego SVP
San Diego Social Venture Partners (SDSVP) develops philanthropy and volunteerism for the purpose of positive social change in San Diego County. Using the venture capital approach – contributing expertise, time and money – we are committed to creating partnerships that build successful and sustainable nonprofit organizations. To learn more about SDSVP please visit www.sdsvp.org.

About Social Venture Partners International
Social Venture Partners International (SVPI) is the membership association for Social Venture Partners – an international network comprised of more than 1,900 accomplished individuals who combine their professional skills and financial contributions with a passion for philanthropy. Partners belong to local SVP affiliates and SVPI supports each affiliate by providing technology, professional development, an annual conference and peer networking opportunities designed to share knowledge and promote best practices throughout the network. The Social Venture Partners network currently has 25 affiliates located throughout the United States, Canada and Tokyo. To learn about starting an SVP affiliate in your city or for more information on Social Venture Partners, please visit www.svpi.org.