By Cathy Yarbrough
The wildfires last October had one benefit: the catastrophe introduced the nonprofit Volunteer San Diego (VSD) to the energy, enthusiasm and talents of SDSVP.
SDSVP was eager to help fellow San Diego residents whose homes – and clothing, furniture and other possessions -- were destroyed by the wildfires. So VSD linked Partners with a local faith-based organization that was mounting a clothing drive
“Our three organizations brought the best of our abilities and networks together to meet a pressing community need,” said Sue Carter, executive director of VSD.
After the wildfires were under control, Carter turned to SDSVP to help her board and fellow staff leaders to evaluate VSD’s overall strategy and to create a new strategic plan that would communicate the organization’s positive impact on the community and increase its revenue through fundraising and fees for services.
(Under the aegis of SDSVP, Partners often volunteer their time and expertise to San Diego nonprofit community organizations that are not investees.)
Leading SDSVP’s effort to assist VSD with its strategic plan was Sherri Neasham, a Partner for two years. Neasham called upon the expertise of fellow Partners in SDSVP’s resource teams on strategic planning, finance, fundraising and other capacity building areas, to assist VSD.
“Sherri is an incredible ally,” said Carter. “She struck a great balance: offering her business knowledge and critical thinking while always respecting my knowledge of nonprofits and VSD. She knew which role was needed at which time – when to push and when to cheerlead.”
The Partners’ input persuaded VSD to define “what it does and to prove it annually with measurable outcomes,” Neasham said. As a result, the two and one-half year old community organization repositioned the way it describes its value and impact. “Whereas VSD before said they increased and facilitated volunteering, they now can say ‘Each year, we provide over $2 million in human capital to 500 community organizations in order to significantly impact the needs in San Diego County.’ ”
“Restating what they do in such a meaningful and measurable way will substantially increase the funding they receive,” Neasham added. “More importantly, VSD measures and focuses on the value of volunteer contributions; they’ll begin seeking more highly skilled volunteers, and will fund many other San Diego nonprofits with greater manpower at a higher level of expertise as a result. This will have a significant impact throughout our county.”
Carter said that SDSVP “provided outside perspective and expertise that wasn’t readily available within VSD. VSD is fortunate to have significant alignment within our board and staff for our overall goals and direction, but that alignment can work against us as we roll out programs to a large and diverse community.”
“SDSVP asked great questions that helped us refine and strengthen our position and the reasons why we did what we did,” she added. “They brought expertise in the form of one-to-one coaching, group facilitation, and tactical tools and resources that we could apply to our efforts. As VSD explores opportunities for mobilizing the professional skills and interests of prospective volunteers, we are looking forward to engaging with SDSVP as practitioners and thought leaders.”
For Partners without the time to work long term with one of SDSVP’s investees, organizations such as VSD are an opportunity to “have fun, learn a lot and make a difference in a very flexible time frame of two to 10 hours over a several month period,” said Neasham. “When you’re working with such groups as VSD, you can easily control your own schedule,” she noted.
Neasham added, “It’s a great opportunity to creatively use your experience or talents in new ways. You get to hobnob with some very smart and very nice people, and best of all, you can be truly helpful and make a difference.”
August 1, 2008
News and Updates are now available in the SDSVP Blog!
SDSVP has created a blog where you can find regular updates, past newsletter articles and stories on how we are making an impact in the community. Plus you can comment on the stories and interact with others. We’ve also included links to our Investees, a suggested reading list, and an SDSVP glossary of terms. Check the SDSVP blog for continual updates!
http://sdsvp.blogspot.com
http://sdsvp.blogspot.com
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"!
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"!
San Diego Business Journal Announces SDSVP’s New Investees
From the San Diego Business Journal, July 21, 2008
San Diego Social Venture Partners is granting Elder Law & Advocacy and ElderHelp each $250,000 over three years to fund services. Other organizations funded by Social Venture Partners include Angels Foster Family Network, La Cuna, Community Resource Center and Corporation for Supportive Housing.
To read the full article, click here
San Diego Social Venture Partners is granting Elder Law & Advocacy and ElderHelp each $250,000 over three years to fund services. Other organizations funded by Social Venture Partners include Angels Foster Family Network, La Cuna, Community Resource Center and Corporation for Supportive Housing.
To read the full article, click here
Congratulations on SDSVP’s Former Investee, Second Chance, on great coverage in the UT!
A Second Chance at Success
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From the San Diego Union-Tribune, July 24, 2008
It's not the type of exclamation you usually hear at a graduation.
“Where's my P.O.?” asked Adam Matschullat, using the shorthand for parole officer. “I told you I'd do it, right?”
Matschullat and his classmates had been accustomed to a path that involved judges and police officers, not guidance counselors and teachers. They hope that changed for good Friday, when they completed a course offered by Second Chance, an Encanto agency that aids the homeless and unemployed.
The 69 graduates, ranging from teens to those in their 50s, have battled drug problems and homelessness or racked up criminal records. Second Chance, however, offers them just that – an opportunity to learn life skills while complying with mandates from courts and other authorities.
To read the full story on this former SDSVP Investee, click here
.jpg)
From the San Diego Union-Tribune, July 24, 2008It's not the type of exclamation you usually hear at a graduation.
“Where's my P.O.?” asked Adam Matschullat, using the shorthand for parole officer. “I told you I'd do it, right?”
Matschullat and his classmates had been accustomed to a path that involved judges and police officers, not guidance counselors and teachers. They hope that changed for good Friday, when they completed a course offered by Second Chance, an Encanto agency that aids the homeless and unemployed.
The 69 graduates, ranging from teens to those in their 50s, have battled drug problems and homelessness or racked up criminal records. Second Chance, however, offers them just that – an opportunity to learn life skills while complying with mandates from courts and other authorities.
To read the full story on this former SDSVP Investee, click here
Fundraising Gymnastics
Flaw # 7 from the Project Streamline report:
The most commonly cited effect of the foundation funding system is that nonprofits continually reinvent their programs—at least on paper—in response to foundations’ preference for the “new and different,” and reluctance to pay core operating support. Application and reporting requirements also cause nonprofits to develop strategies that are the opposite of what foundations intend.
To read the full article, click here
The most commonly cited effect of the foundation funding system is that nonprofits continually reinvent their programs—at least on paper—in response to foundations’ preference for the “new and different,” and reluctance to pay core operating support. Application and reporting requirements also cause nonprofits to develop strategies that are the opposite of what foundations intend.
To read the full article, click here
Community Resource Center includes SDSVP in Annual Report
From CRC’s Annual Report
In 2007, CRC was selected by SDSVP to receive over $100,000 in grants over the next three years to launch our newest initiative, the Food Stamp Assistance Program, which provides outreach and application assistance to low-income residents in the North County area. With SDSVP’s support, CRC is focusing its attention on the Food Stamp Program to augment our existing food programs. SDSVP has also been guiding CRC through this pivotal point in our growth by providing expertise on strategic planning, fundraising, board education and development, information technology, and general business.
To view the full Annual Report, click here
To learn more about CRC, please join them for their “Moonlight on the Promenade” on September 27, 2008 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds Mission Tower Ballroom. It will be a memorable evening that will include an auction, dinner, live music, honoree tribute, and dancing. For event information, please visit www.crcncc.org or call Suzie Colby: (760) 230-6305.
In 2007, CRC was selected by SDSVP to receive over $100,000 in grants over the next three years to launch our newest initiative, the Food Stamp Assistance Program, which provides outreach and application assistance to low-income residents in the North County area. With SDSVP’s support, CRC is focusing its attention on the Food Stamp Program to augment our existing food programs. SDSVP has also been guiding CRC through this pivotal point in our growth by providing expertise on strategic planning, fundraising, board education and development, information technology, and general business.
To view the full Annual Report, click here
To learn more about CRC, please join them for their “Moonlight on the Promenade” on September 27, 2008 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds Mission Tower Ballroom. It will be a memorable evening that will include an auction, dinner, live music, honoree tribute, and dancing. For event information, please visit www.crcncc.org or call Suzie Colby: (760) 230-6305.
Cool things our Partners are doing…
Partner AmyK Hutchens was recently interviewed by Partners Barbara Bry and Neil Senturia on their radio show “I'm There for You Baby: The Entrepreneur's Guide to the Galaxy” about her book Brain Brilliant. To listen to the program click here then scroll down to the show on July 16, 2008.
Congratulations to Partner Mark Fackler who recently traveled to Switzerland to complete his 4th triathlon.
Market-based Solutions to Social Problems – New Strategies for Action
Thursday, August 7th, 12:00 – 2:00 PM
UC San Diego Extension
6925 Lusk Blvd., San Diego, CA 92121
Learn about emerging trends in social entrepreneurship. Hear inspiring stories about technology-based businesses that generate income and serve disadvantaged populations. Compare your goals and strategies to those of others who are committed to reducing their dependence on charitable donations.
Whether you are a nonprofit board member, a nonprofit executive, corporate or foundation Grantmaker, community relations director or social entrepreneur, this event will help you gain perspective on the field of social enterprise, key challenges and recent developments.
Featuring Jim Fruchterman, CEO & Founder, BenetechChairman, Social Enterprise AllianceMacArthur Fellow
Seating is limited. Advance Registration must be received by Monday Aug. 4th.
Admission $25, includes lunch. Register on line at http://www.npsolutions.org/.
For more information contact Betsy Densmore, at betsy@se-institute.org or phone 949-500-2381.
Presented by the UC San Diego Extension Responsible Enterprise Forum, in cooperation with CONNECT, San Diego Social Venture Partners, and San Diego Net Impact Student and Professional Chapters.
UC San Diego Extension
6925 Lusk Blvd., San Diego, CA 92121
Learn about emerging trends in social entrepreneurship. Hear inspiring stories about technology-based businesses that generate income and serve disadvantaged populations. Compare your goals and strategies to those of others who are committed to reducing their dependence on charitable donations.
Whether you are a nonprofit board member, a nonprofit executive, corporate or foundation Grantmaker, community relations director or social entrepreneur, this event will help you gain perspective on the field of social enterprise, key challenges and recent developments.
Featuring Jim Fruchterman, CEO & Founder, BenetechChairman, Social Enterprise AllianceMacArthur Fellow
Seating is limited. Advance Registration must be received by Monday Aug. 4th.
Admission $25, includes lunch. Register on line at http://www.npsolutions.org/.
For more information contact Betsy Densmore, at betsy@se-institute.org or phone 949-500-2381.
Presented by the UC San Diego Extension Responsible Enterprise Forum, in cooperation with CONNECT, San Diego Social Venture Partners, and San Diego Net Impact Student and Professional Chapters.
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