San Diego Social Venture Partners: Building a better community

San Diego Social Venture Partners members assist with packing gift baskets for the Community Resource Center in 2010. In front are partners Robin Parker and Louarn Sorkin; rear, CRC Executive Director and ‘investee’ Laurin Pause and Julie Pardee.

From the Rancho Santa Fe Review
December 29, 2011
By Kathy Day

San Diego Social Venture Partners members say their organization is all about looking at philanthropy in a different way.

The 130 individuals, known as partners, come from all over the county but there’s a strong contingent of people from the North County area, including outgoing chairman Ray Ellis and his successor Tuck Forsyth.

“We really roll up our sleeves with our partners and get to know them,” said Ellis, noting that it‘s all about leveraging their collective skills. “It’s a three-year relationship – we don’t just walk away.”

The San Diego group, headquartered at 12555 High Bluff Drive, is part of an international organization. Around the world and locally its members not only invest money – a $5,000 contribution each year for three years is required – but they also invest their time and expertise to improve the community.

In addition to providing unrestricted cash grants, SDSVP provides skilled volunteer expertise to the targeted nonprofits, as well as other groups in need of a helping hand.

“We put the funds and human capital into an organization,” Ellis said. “A little of our expertise goes a long way.”

The strongest attributes of the group, Ellis said, are its “collective impact” on local nonprofits and in how much partners learn from each other about how to be better philanthropists.

Their efforts recently gained them recognition from the Association of Fundraising Professionals as San Diego’s Outstanding Philanthropic Organization for 2011.

Each year Social Venture Partners picks a special focus and carefully selects at least two nonprofits, which they call “investees,” explained Ellis, principal of the investment firm Ellis & Associates, LLC, who previously was president of the Marketing Services Division of Protocol Communications, a marketing services firm. He serves on several other boards and has announced he will seek the City Council seat now held by Sherri Lightner.

In 2011, the focus was on the military, a particular passion for Forsyth, who in October completed a four-year “phase out” from his career as a sales executive. He spent the last 20 years with Lee Hect Harrison and became involved with Social Venture Partners four and a half years ago after his wife died.

“I went from working for pay to working for the community,” he said, noting that he was introduced to the group by a friend. “I was always a sucker for a $200 phone call but never knew what my money was doing. This enables me to have a say.”

His most recent “say” has been as lead partner with REBOOT, a local initiative of the National Veterans Transition Services, Inc., that assists veterans in moving back to civilian life and finding meaningful employment. The partners also teamed up in 2011 with the Armed Services YMCA at Camp Pendleton

For 2012, the partners have picked education as the target, although they will stay connected to their military investees and others.

Look at the list of groups they’ve supported and you’ll see that children and youth programs have always been interesting to the organization, Ellis said, making this year’s focus on education a natural choice.
“We don’t know the answers,” said David Lynn, who works in La Jolla specializing in investments, database management and business analytics. He is serving as board liaison on the project that will involve seeking solutions to improve local schools as well as raising more money to that end.

The endeavor will also add a new layer as SDSVP enters its second decade, said interim executive director Marion Paul, who was an investee when she worked with Junior Achievement. This year’s education focus includes aligning with other groups that have common goals so they can have a collective impact, she explained.

“We want to help build the capacity of a sector, in this case education,” she added.

Lynn said they will select at least two nonprofit investees and will team up with San Diego Grantmakers, which works to stimulate local philanthropy, and other organizations to pull together a countywide effort to find better ways to educate students.

The process of deciding which nonprofits to support begins with a Discovery Team, which polls partners on what groups they might want to help. Then they invite in experts in that sector who share their thoughts and challenges in that particular arena.

Next, the Investment Working Group of 30 steps in to evaluate proposals and select the investees. Then the real work starts and a team leader steps up.

Ellis said that’s often “someone who falls in love with that nonprofit.” That person becomes a key point of contact and forms the team.

The help comes in a variety of ways, from Resource Teams that step in to assist with fundraising efforts, management practices, developing their boards and leaders, as well as providing financial management, information technology or marketing and PR expertise.

Each year during the three-year relationship, the partners and investees develop an annual plan. But it’s not just about the nonprofit, Ellis said. “We measure us and them against program outcomes and the impact in the community.”

And, Paul noted, it’s not about raising money for them but also about helping them raise money and building a stronger organization.

Often partners go beyond their donations to Social Venture Partners and make individual contributions to the nonprofits as well as rounding up corporate donations for them, she added. “It’s about leveraging our resources to get more.”

To date, that impact has been great. In 2011, the partners gave $175,000 in direct cash contributions; add in-kind services, additional personal donations and 9,510 hours of volunteer time and the tally hits $1.7 million in value to the community, according to the annual report.

And, in case you were wondering, yes there is a “social” in Social Venture Partners. Members get together for social gatherings as well as having fun with their projects, Paul said, noting that again this year they helped the Community Resources Center put together 300 gift baskets.

Learn more at www.sdsvp.org.

SDSVP's Changing of the Guard

A new year brings a changing of the guard at San Diego Social Venture Partners. We’d like to thank Mark Fackler for his 3+ years of incredible leadership and service as SDSVP’s Board Chair. Mark has helped us to build the infrastructure to ensure SDSVP’s own sustainability in the future. As we say goodbye to Mark, we’d like to welcome Ray Ellis as he takes the helm as SDSVP’s new Board Chair. We look forward to his term as SDSVP continues to grow, thrive and make a significant impact in San Diego. Please take a moment to read more about these two inspiring leaders.

Mark Fackler
By Mandy Sherlock

Being Chairman of a nonprofit board could be considered “unglamorous”; the role often requires behind-the-scenes work that goes unnoticed. For San Diego Social Venture Partners, the job included plenty of backstage duties including infrastructure and capacity building work…but that’s exactly what Mark Fackler loved most about being Chair.

As Board Chair, Mark spent much of his time doing the “dirty” work: reviewing minutes, evaluating financials, setting agendas, and facilitating meetings – and this is what rang his bell. Although it was far from working one-on-one with SDSVP’s Investees, being Chair was rewarding to Mark because it allowed for the other Partners to be more effective in helping the San Diego community.

“Being Chair is like running an Ironman Triathlon,” Mark says, “It’s quiet, lonely work. Often times you’re isolated and there’s never any glory. But in the end the hard work pays off.” It’s true. Mark never ceased in his quiet, relentless pursuit of the organization’s goals.

Mark was an SDSVP leader during a time of evolution and progression. In 2009, SDSVP became independent from The San Diego Foundation securing its own 501c3 nonprofit status. Mark was instrumental in the grueling process of putting together the application package, “I thought to myself, ‘A lot of kids or homeless or elderly will be better cared for because I’m typing a 250 page document.’ It was difficult work but rewarding to be part of the change.” This background work which many do not enjoy was gratifying to Mark. Seven weeks later, when the 501c3 determination letter arrived from the IRS, there was joy at the end of the long road.

Advice for the next Chairman? “Use your talent to enable the organization to be better than it was. Act as a shepherd to allow all the individuals to use their gifts.” Mark was successful doing just that: using his talent to leverage the great talent within SDSVP.

Ray Ellis
By Scott Tritt

As a member of SDSVP's Board, Ray Ellis has been a guiding force for the organization for some time. Nonprofits throughout San Diego have benefited from Ray's expertise in the fund development arena, a skill that seems always in high demand.

As incoming Chair of our Board of Directors, Ray's wisdom will be put to a new test, as he guides the Partnership's future.

Ray's the first to admit that nearly every decision made at SDSVP is reached through consensus, whether of the Board, the Partners or both. But he also realizes the importance of leadership and of setting goals to mark worthwhile achievements.

He says SDSVP is on solid footing, and points to our highly motivated staff, especially the recent addition of Jacqueline Silverman as Membership Director, as evidence that we're moving in a good direction.

As for his priorities while at the helm, he wants to meet with new and existing Partners, especially transplants from outside San Diego, to make sure they're reaching their personal goals within SDSVP, and to be sure the organization continues to have a positive impact on our Partners and our community.

He vows to ensure that our Board provides strategic direction, and continues to refine the recruiting process to expand and deepen the partnership. He anticipates useful results from SDSVP's internal outcome planning process, currently about two-thirds complete.

Ray considers himself goal-oriented and wants to develop retention and recruiting strategies to make sure Partners share positive experiences, and are motivated to assume leadership positions.

Naturally, Ray will rely on his fund development expertise to develop revenue streams for SDSVP to ensure the organization's growth and permanence as a leader in “bringing great people together to dramatically impact San Diego philanthropy”.

Q&A with New Board Members

In September, we introduced you to SDSVP's three newest members of the Board of Directors, Christopher Bush, Managing Partner and Thought Engineer of AmyK, Inc., Laurin Pause, Executive Director of Community Resource Center, and Trevor Callan, CEO of Callan Capital. All three bring a fresh perspective, invaluable insight, and professional expertise to the team. Recently, Christopher, Laurin and Trevor answered a few of our curious get-to-know-you questions and we thought you'd like to learn more about them too!

SDSVP: What do you like most about Social Venture Partners?

Christopher: The shared commitment and dedication of people who have found a way to combine passion with purpose. It’s a uniquely diverse group in so many interesting ways; the variety of conversations, the opportunities for shared experiences are seemingly endless!

Laurin: My experience as an Investee highlighted SDSVP at its best. The collection of talented and caring individuals that make up SDSVP bring their Can-Do philosophies to make targeted and productive changes within nonprofit organizations that greatly benefit from the wisdom and experience of the collective group. I have seen first hand the positive impact SDSVP has had on our organization.

Trevor: The people.

SDSVP: What contributions do you think you could bring to the board?

Christopher: Questions and perspective...and like many of my board member colleagues, a non-judgmental, open-minded commitment to making SDSVP the most successful philanthropic organization in San Diego and beyond.

Laurin: As a leader in the nonprofit sector, I hope to bring a perspective of the needs of nonprofits and issues impacting the San Diego community, in addition to tapping into my past financial and business experience in running start-up companies in the Telecomm sector of San Diego.

Trevor: My network of friends as prospective members and history of innovation (i.e. helped create and fund the SDSVP Environmental Accelerator Fund which led to launching Equinox Center).

SDSVP: What are you most passionate about in life?

Christopher: In the simplest sense, leaving this world better in some measurable, tangible way than when I got here.

Laurin: Helping people succeed at meeting their goals and maximizing their capabilities. Finding creative solutions to complex problems.

Trevor: My family. My company Callan Capital. Surfing, Diving and Snow Skiing.

Read more about Christopher, Laurin and Trevor. See a full list of SDSVP's Board of Directors.

San Diego Social Venture Partners Grows Board of Directors

SAN DIEGO (August 30, 2010) – San Diego Social Venture Partners (SDSVP), dedicated to bringing great people together to dramatically impact San Diego philanthropy, announced its board of directors is growing with the addition of three local business leaders. New members include Trevor Callan, CEO of Callan Capital, Christopher Bush, Managing Partner and Thought Engineer of AmyK, Inc., and Laurin Pause, Executive Director of Community Resource Center.

“We are thrilled to have the support of these individuals, who bring invaluable insight in areas ranging from financial to leadership development to nonprofit operations,” said Peggy Kidd, Executive Director for SDSVP. “Together, we will work toward achieving our mission of accelerating long-term social change by developing the sustainability of nonprofits, empowering them to serve the community more effectively and efficiently.”

The three new members draw from diverse backgrounds and a proven track record of success:

• Trevor Callan, CIMA, CEO, Callan Capital. Trevor co-founded Callan Capital in 2007 after a 15-year career at leading firms including Merrill Lynch, where he earned several service awards and became the first advisor to be selected to represent the Private Banking and Investment Group. A Recipient of the Five Star Award for Client Satisfaction, Callan Capital provides high net worth families with independent and expert advice in all the areas important to a significant estate including wealth management and financial planning. Callan Capital is located in La Jolla.
  
• Christopher Bush, Managing Partner, AmyK International, Inc. With expertise in leadership, sales and communications, Christopher and the AmyK, Inc. team show people the “how” of transforming average performance into brilliant, profitable growth. A leadership and sales development company, he and his firm have received five Telly Awards for marketing and training as well as the Summit International Award for creativity. AmyK, Inc. is located in San Diego.
  
• Laurin Pause, Executive Director, Community Resource Center. Since taking the helm as CRC’s Executive Director in 2004, Laurin Pause has been critical to bringing funding to the community and smart project management to social services. Considered both a fiscal and social services authority in the county, Laurin has developed and introduced innovative domestic violence and social services programs that have produced remarkable success rates. CRC is located in Encinitas.

According to Pause, “As the Executive Director of a former SDSVP Investee, I have seen firsthand how the unique model can create a plan for long-term success by providing support and enhancing productivity. I am pleased to collaborate with this esteemed group of local leaders to further the vision of SDSVP as a community-minded organization.”

Bush added, “SDSVP not only produces life-changing results with their investees in the San Diego community, they are transforming philanthropy by creating better philanthropists. Being part of SDSVP is like an immersion study in the power of giving.”

Other SDSVP board members include Mark Fackler, Vistage Chair; Marjorie Fox, President & CEO of Cultivating Brilliance Institute; JoAnne Berg, CFO of Spectrum Concepts, Inc.; Linda Bernstein, retired business owner/CEO; Peg Eddy, President/CEO of Creative Capital Management, Inc.; Ray Ellis, Principal of Ellis & Associates; David Johnson, Principal of Clearpath Advisors; David Lynn, President of Ayamba, Inc.; Steve Ness, retired business executive/philanthropist; Joyce Ross, Founding Partner of Ross Partners; Alan Sorkin, Founding Partner of SDSVP and Board Chair of SVPI; and Duane Trombly, Founding Partner of PointeBreak Solutions.

ABOUT SAN DIEGO SOCIAL VENTURE PARTNERS (SDSVP)
Established in 2001, San Diego Social Venture Partners is a nonprofit organization of professionals who invest time and money in innovative nonprofits in San Diego County while becoming more educated and involved givers. Recent Investees includeA Reason to Survive, Audeo Charter School, Community Resource Center, Corporation for Supportive Housing, ElderHelp of San Diego, Reality Changers and Tariq Khamisa Foundation. To learn more about SDSVP, call (858) 724-6065 or visit www.sdsvp.org.