Learn about our New Investee, Barrio Logan College Institute

From Coronado Lifestyle Magazine
March/April 2012
By Kris Grant

In Coronado, it’s pretty much accepted that most students will graduate from high school and continue on to college. But look across the water to the barrio that spreads out below the pillars of the Coronado bridge and you’ll find quite a different set of circumstances. Barrio Logan is an area where average household incomes are less than $20,000 and only about one in three adults over the age of 25 has a high school, much less a college, diploma.

For the past 16 years, one nonprofit institute has been quietly working magic in this Latino community. The Barrio Logan College Institute (BLCI) has been raising a passion for — and lighting the pathway toward — higher education for Latino students who have been historically underrepresented on college campuses.

Click here to read more.

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!

The Partner 4-1-1

Aaron Contorer has started his latest software company, FP Complete, providing advanced technology for software developers. With Lori running voting services company Everyone Counts, they now have two tech companies in the family!

Have fun news to share? Contact Mandy at mandy@sdsvp.org with the scoop!

Getting to Know You: Sandra Timmons

By Rachel Camacho

Sandra Timmons joined SVP with her husband, Richard Sandstrom, in May of 2011. As a first year Partner, it’s plain to see she has picked up and implemented the SVP values and mission like a seasoned pro. Sandra thoughtfully gives input and shares her ideas. Her clarity and perceptive insight allow her to encourage change, as opposed to only see problems.

Upon meeting Sandra, one will notice that she gives her full attention, and she greets you with a beaming smile. The SVP family was greeted by her warmth and generosity at last year’s holiday party that she and Richard graciously hosted. In addition to ensuring everything was in place and ready, she welcomed each guest personally, an art that is becoming lost in this age of text messages and emails.

The SVP staff had the pleasure of getting to know Sandra a little better, and her commitment to strengthening the San Diego community is inspiring. Our Investees will be very fortunate to have someone helping them increase their capacity who is as passionate and enthusiastic as Sandra Timmons!

Why did you join SVP?
I have been involved with nonprofits for many years and have seen them struggle to become sustainable. I knew there had to be a better way. I heard about SVP and saw how much there was to learn.

How are you involved with SVP?
I am on the Outcome Planning Resource Team and participated in this year’s Investment Working Group, including a site visit to one of the finalist organizations. My husband and I also hosted the holiday party.

What are you getting out of your SVP experience?
I am learning so much - how to measure the value of a nonprofit and how their impact influences support. I am meeting great people and giving direction to my own philanthropy.

If you’re in the car in the morning, what do you listen to?
I am a public affairs junkie so I listen to NPR. When I was a producer at KPBS I had to read all three local papers, and I did so willingly. I used to cut up papers, pulling out interesting tidbits and story ideas. Now, even though I don’t need the programming ideas, I still do it, keeping a new digital scrapbook.

What do you think that says about you?
I think you can only affect that which you can touch, i.e. your near environment, so I try to keep up on what is going on around me, I guess because I want to effect change.

On the weekends, what do you look forward to most?
In the morning, reading the newspapers over a cup of coffee. And in the evening I look forward to listening to classical music while drinking a glass of wine.

One thing you could not live without...
I could not live without friends, family and sharing good food together. Life would be way too lonely.

SVP Trip to Japan

SVP Partners from Tokyo and the U.S.

May 11 - May 20, 2012

The SVP network was deeply moved by the story of the young SVP Tokyo Partners who dedicated themselves to helping their community devastated by last year’s tsunami. We have now been invited to see their work up close, learn from them and share ideas and expertise. In consultation with leading Japanese social entrepreneurs, SVP International has created an itinerary for a nine-day trip that includes:

• Opportunities to learn from and share your expertise with social entrepreneurs revitalizing the region impacted by the 3.11.11 tsunami.
• Site visits with several of SVP Tokyo’s Investees
• Traditional Japanese cultural experiences
• The chance to network with leaders and partners in SVP and the Japanese social sector.

All Partners are welcome! For more info, contact Rona at rona@svpi.org.

From Neighborhood Tough Guy to Academic Mentor

From The San Diego Union-Tribune
February 18, 2012
By Karla Peterson

A lot of people thought Eduardo Corona would be dead by now. And if not dead, certainly in jail. And if not in jail yet, surely on his way.

For a while, one of those people was Eduardo Corona. But on a day that started with classes at San Diego State University and ended with another evening of helping kids make their college dreams come true, this confident young man in a dress shirt and tie is proud to say that the doom-and-gloom crowd was wrong about him. And he is particularly thrilled that he was so very wrong about himself.

Click here to read more.

SVP “FastPitch” Discussion + Wine and Cheese

Tuesday, April 10 | AMN Healthcare | 4:00 - 5:30 PM

We're exploring a high-energy, possibly high-profile event at which local nonprofits showcase their plans for social impact and compete for funding and SVP expertise. In January, the SVP Board of Directors approved exploring the test of an all-in-one-day “FastPitch” competition, contingent upon raising the funds to be awarded from local and national sponsors. We need your input on April 10th whether we should bring this event to San Diego, and if so, what it would look like.

Award-winning wine and gourmet cheese reception to follow.

For more information, contact Sherri Neasham at sneasham@gmail.com.

Making a Difference Where it Matters

Social Venture Partners International announced results from its latest in-depth, longitudinal study assessing the effectiveness of its unique model of engaged philanthropy. Specifically this study measured Social Venture Partners’ role in influencing its 2,100 Partners to increase their philanthropic development and engagement.

Key findings include:

• Partners’ giving increases because of SVP. 65% of respondents indicated that their giving has increased since joining SVP.
• Partners give more strategically because of SVP. 96% cite SVP as impacting the way they give.
• Partners are more involved in the community because of SVP. 91% credit SVP for increasing their community involvement: 51% cite SVP as the leading factor.

This report demonstrates what happens when committed, passionate people are connected with the issues they care about and given the tools to engage: the impact is seen on both the issues and the individuals. SVP Partners give more and in a more strategic fashion, and they dive deeper into leadership roles and service opportunities – helping their communities reach their potential. Click here to read the full report.

Social Venture Partners on the Move!

There’s a buzz around town…SVP is an organization on the move! Our new collective impact initiative and opportunity to bring Fast Pitch to San Diego are creating an excitement that is re-energizing our Partners and attracting new ones. As we continue to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with current Investees and local nonprofits, we’re helping take their vital work to the next level. We are delighted that our Partner base has grown to 130 Partners. Our goal is to have more than 145 Partners as we enter our next fiscal year, so we can continue to grow and expand our impact with San Diego nonprofits.