“I am grateful for everything I have learned from the non-profits I’ve helped out - perhaps the greatest lesson being how important sustained involvement is to success in any philanthropic endeavor.”Dan RossBoard of Directors, SVP Boston
A New Way of Giving
“As a newcomer to Boston, I found my philanthropic involvement to be a little lacking. For most of my adult life, it had taken the form of donations to churches and synagogues, or contributions to large organizations such as the United Way. Prior to my involvement with Social Venture Partners, other than occasionally serving a Thanksgiving meal at a local shelter, I had never managed to become engaged with a non-profit organization in any real or lasting way. Last spring, I was asked to join the SVP Board of Trustees. This moment was more exciting to me than any annual bonus I’ve received in all of my years of employment. It made me realize what makes me tick: not just dollars and cents, but knowing that I am actually making a difference because of the skills and experience I bring to the table.”
Meaningful Community Engagement
“By working directly with our investees’ executive directors, I was able to develop personal relationships that made my giving all the more meaningful. SVP has enabled me to identify ways I can genuinely be of help—whether it be aiding in the development of a 3-year business plan, or helping to re-engineer processes so they are more effective and efficient. I am grateful for everything I have learned from the non-profits I’ve helped out—perhaps the greatest lesson being how important sustained involvement is to success in any endeavor.”
Personal Expertise Put to Use for Social Change
“When I came on-board as an SVP partner, I began speaking directly with our investees. I was thrilled to discover that many of the skills I had developed during my thirty years in the business world could be enormously helpful to those working in young, emerging non-profits. As an SVP partner, I’m not just writing a check, stuffing envelopes, or ladling soup. I’m drawing on my expertise in ways that are deeply beneficial.” |
