SVP Selects New Nonprofit Partners for 2012

We are proud to announce our newest Investees!  San Diego Social Venture Partners chose to invest in two local nonprofits, Barrio Logan College Institute and Pro Kids who are developing educational aspirations in children and youth that lead to increased graduation rates. For the next three years, support from SVP will strengthen each organization’s infrastructure in areas such as board development, outcome planning, operations and financial systems, information technology and marketing communication.

Thank you to our InvestmentWorking Group and chair, Mark Fackler, for all of their hard work and commitment in selecting two phenomenal organizations for our Partnership to support!

San Diego Social Venture Partners Selects Innovative Nonprofits for Funding in Education

SAN DIEGO (March 25, 2010) – During economic times when educational funding is drastically reduced, San Diego Social Venture Partners chose to invest in two San Diego nonprofits in the education sector – Reality Changers and Audeo Charter School – for funding and support up to three years. SDSVP support will strengthen each organization’s infrastructure and capacity building in areas such as board development, strategic planning, operations and financial systems, outcome measurement and marketing communication.

San Diego Social Venture Partners are community minded professionals who contribute time, money and business expertise to help innovative nonprofits chosen through a rigorous selection process. The organizations selected for investment – called Investees – have a clear vision, strong leadership, a commitment to measuring successful outcomes and a desire to collaborate with high-level volunteers.

SDSVP’s mission is to accelerate social change by developing the organizational capacity and sustainability of each nonprofit they support, empowering them to serve the community more effectively and efficiently. Its Partners are diverse in their interests, but all are united in their commitment to strengthening San Diego County, helping its people achieve long-term social change.

REALITY CHANGERS - Building First-generation College Students

Founded in 2001 by a former teacher, Executive Director Christopher Yanov, Reality Changers is a powerful after-school mentoring program that helps disadvantaged youth in San Diego County become first-generation college students. Through tutoring, academic support and financial assistance, low-income students from 38 middle and high schools have turned their lives around to become college-bound leaders in our community. The program supports 120 students who otherwise might be expelled from school or involved with gangs and drugs.

Reality Changers is California’s leading tutoring program for scholarships where students have earned $5 million in financial aid from all sources. Of the 87 students who completed the program, 83 have gone on to college, including Ivy League schools. The Reality Changers program is seen as a model for other cities and is highly praised by U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. Yet there are more students on Reality Changers’ waiting list of 150 than those currently served. This is an ideal fit for expanded services and capacity building through the involvement of SDSVP volunteers. For more information, visit http://www.realitychangers.org/.

Audeo Charter School – Nurturing Student Achievement

Founded in 2001 by Board President Mary Searcy Bixby, Audeo Charter School is part of the Altus Institute – a network of charter schools for students in grades six through twelve who seek an advanced and self-motivating alternative to traditional education. Audeo provides a successful model of collaborative learning, high-level curriculum, self-paced lessons and year-round enrollment.


Audeo teachers have designed a curriculum that meets the learning needs of each student and is aligned with California State Course Requirements. Located in classrooms in neighborhoods and malls throughout San Diego County, Audeo’s independent study model provides skills development, career exploration, high-level thinking and enrichment of the core curriculum.


Students master learning skills including the ability to read, write, compute, solve problems and work independently and in teams. Students must also be proficient in the use of technology, effective time management, performance accountability, wellness and relating to others. SDSVP sees involvement with Audeo Charter School as an exciting way to support successful educational alternatives. For more information, visit http://www.audeocharterschool.net/.


ABOUT SAN DIEGO SOCIAL VENTURE PARTNERS Established in 2001, San Diego Social Venture Partners (SDSVP) is a nonprofit organization of engaged professionals who invest time and money in innovative nonprofits in San Diego County while becoming more educated and involved givers. Other Investees include A Reason to Survive, Tariq Khamisa Foundation, Community Resource Center, Corporation for Supportive Housing and ElderHelp of San Diego.


SDSVP is an affiliate of SVP International (SVPI), a network of more than 1,900 Partners who support a shared mission of philanthropy in 26 cities and 3 countries and have given more than $32.2 million in cash and six times that amount through in-kind contributions to more than 335 nonprofit organizations. To learn more about SDSVP or become involved as a Partner, visit http://sandiegosvp.ning.com/.

Investment Working Group Update - Jan 2010

In the summer, SDSVP Partners chose "Education" as the 2010 grant focus area. In the fall, the Investment Working Group received 42 Letters of Interest (LOI) from a variety of educational organizations. Small teams reviewed the LOI's and made recommendations as to which organizations should be invited to submit a proposal. Fifteen organizations were chosen to submit proposals. In January, the Investment Working Group heard the recommendations of the proposal review teams and as a group decided on 6 agencies to make presentations. Final decisions will be made in March.

Discovery Team - July 2009

The Discovery Team is currently preparing the way for SDSVP's next successful investment by providing the data our Partners need to choose winning Investees.

The team heard from 4 industry experts in the field of Education. Then they reviewed the issues discovered and conclusions drawn from discussions with the expert panelists. Currently they are deciding how to frame SDSVP's investment offer to agencies throughout San Diego.

More details to come!

Join us for the Investment Working Group Kick-Off on Tues, Sept. 22
6:00-7:00 PM - New Partner Orientation
7:00-9:00 PM - All Partners

Partners interested in joining the Investment Working Group for the 2009-2010 cycle, please contact mandy@sdsvp.org.

SDSVP Selects New Investees!

SDSVP is thrilled to announce our two newest Investees, A Reason To Survive (ARTS) and the Tariq Khamisa Foundation (TKF)!

The Investment Working Group (IWG) worked very diligently this year in selecting SDSVP’s two new Investees in the area of youth and children. The process was exciting and the Partners were passionate in looking for the perfect fit for us to lend our time, expertise and resources. The IWG divided into teams and reviewed 42 Letters of Intents, then regrouped and requested 16 organizations to submit proposals. After a thorough review, we requested 8 nonprofits to make a presentation, then we conducted 6 site visits and selected two incredible organizations. Hats off to Joyce Ross, Sherri Neasham and the entire IWG team for a job well done! Partners, your investment will go a long way with these two groups… let us tell you more about them.

ARTS focuses on empowering children facing life challenges to unleash their creative abilities and discover hidden talent to boost self-esteem and propel them to future success.

TKF envisions a world free from youth violence, using a powerful, personal story to motivate students in schools to realize that personal responsibility and respect are the foundation for building strong neighborhoods and strong communities.

In addition to a financial commitment over the next 3 years, each organization will benefit from gifts of Partners’ time and expertise to assist with strategic planning, financial review, technology implementation and publicity to insure their growth and sustainability.

SDSVP’s unique model for long-term success is especially crucial today, as the current economic downturn is requiring all organizations – especially non-profits – to do more with less.

Our passionate and dynamic Partners continue to make a difference for our Investees and San Diego by leveraging their decades of business and community leadership, cementing SDSVP’s position as a leader in the philanthropic community.

Thanks to Wendy Gibson, Lead Partner for TKF, and Scott Tritt, Lead Partner for ARTS. There are lots of opportunities to get involved this year, so please contact Wendy or Scott if you’re interested.

Investment Team Update - March 2009

The Investment Team selected two nonprofit organizations to become SDSVP's 2009 Investees. This year's cycle was one of the best yet! The decision process was tough as all the applicants were top notch and doing great work in the community with youth and children. The two new Investees will be announced in May.

Investment Working Group Update - February 2009

At the Investment Working Group meeting on February 17th, the final four agencies made presentations. At the end of the meeting, the committee decided to make site visits to 6 agencies. On March 17th, the Investment Working Group will make the final decision on the 2 agencies who will become SDSVP's 2009 Investees.

Investment Working Group Update - January 2009

Four of the final eight agencies made presentations. At the end of the meeting, we discussed whether to schedule the agencies for a site visit. However, no official decisions have been made. The other four agencies will be presenting to the IWG on Feb. 17. Afterward, the committee will make final decisions on site visits.

Investment Working Group Update - October 2008

• The IWG reviewed the Letters of Interest (LOI) and selected 16 agencies to submit proposals. The proposals are due December 3 and the Proposal Review Teams will be meeting during December. If you have not been contacted by your Team Leader or are interested in serving on a review team, please contact Joyce Ross at JoyceDRoss@aol.com.
  
• The November 11 Partner Bootcamp meeting listed on the IWG schedule has been cancelled. Instead, workshops will be offered in January and February. Sherri Neasham will be sending out an announcement soon regarding content and dates.

Investment Working Group Update – September 2008

Investment Working Group (IWG)

• The IWG Discovery Team spent the summer researching our 2009 investment focus area in order to provide SDSVP with an understanding of the pertinent issues facing children and youth in San Diego.
• At the IWG kick-off meeting, Sherri Neasham reported on the Discovery Team findings and Michael Carr from SAY San Diego and Susan Wolking from the Girard Foundation gave us insight into the area of youth and children in San Diego.
• Over 30 organizations attended the Grant Briefing Session to learn about SDSVP’s grant application requirements. Bruce Reznik from Coastkeeper and Marjorie Fox from Human Development Foundation discussed their experiences with SDSVP from the Investee point-of-view.
• Deadline for organizations to submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) is Oct 13. LOI Review Teams have been formed. To join a team, contact Joyce Ross at joycedross@aol.com.

Helping the Children & Youth of San Diego

Interested in the needs of children and youth in San Diego County? Click here to see a quick-read power point summary of the research performed by the Investment Working Group’s Discovery Team over the summer. The team interviewed over 25 practitioners and experts -- and also came up with key facts to help guide us to invest in the area where the greatest impact can be achieved. Join us for our next Investment Working Group meeting on Tuesday, October 28th at 6:00 PM.

SAVE THE DATE! Investment Working Group / Discovery Team Kick Off Meeting

Monday, September 8th, 7:00-9:00 PM

Join us for an in-depth look at the issues facing our children in San Diego. This year’s Discovery Team has been working diligently over the summer to gain a better understanding of the needs and priorities of the sector. Is it violence prevention? School readiness? Childhood obesity? Foster youth? After several interviews with nonprofit organizations, funders, academics and other SVP affiliates, and discussions among the team, we would like to share the findings with the Partnership and discuss next steps. Join us, along with the experts in the community, for this fascinating session on how to improve the lives of our children, the “future of San Diego"!