SVP gets high marks for service and support by nonprofit organizations throughout North America
Press Release
November 19, 2008

(BOSTON) - November 19, 2008 – Social Venture Partners International (SVPI) announced its latest outcome results associated with measuring how well SVP affiliates help nonprofit organizations build capacity. The 2008 Capacity Building Report ranks overall satisfaction from nonprofit organizations funded by SVP in the United States and Canada. The report also tracks perceived value added by SVP partners.

Social Venture Partners is an international network comprised of more than 2,000 accomplished individuals, i.e. partners, who combine their professional skills and financial contributions with a passion for philanthropy. The Social Venture Partners network currently has 25 organizations located throughout the United States, Canada and Japan.

Social Venture Partners Boston was created to bring professionals, business executives and entrepreneurs together to promote venture philanthropy and to catalyze positive social change in Boston. SVPB focuses its giving in two areas, Education and Workforce Development.

"The SVP Boston partnership is truly committed to strengthening and supporting the long-term capacity of a nonprofit organization to fulfill its mission," explains Marjorie Ringrose, Executive Director of Social Venture Partners Boston. "We do this by providing multi-year financial and human resource commitments to local nonprofits and our partners participate in a variety of philanthropy development programs and activities designed to help them learn more about philanthropy and guide them in how to best address the needs of their community."

Since its formation in 1997, the Social Venture Partners network has contributed more than $26.5 million in grant investments to more than 300 nonprofit organizations. In 2008, SVP partners gave more than 14,000 hours of volunteer time for strategic projects ranging from Program and Evaluation to Legal Affairs and Information Technology.

The two capacity building areas in which nonprofit organizations reported receiving the most value from SVP partners were in the areas of Mission, Vision, Strategy and Planning assistance as well as Leadership and Executive Management Team Development. The quality of interactions between nonprofit organizations and SVP partners was also evaluated specifically Approachability, Responsiveness, and Knowledge all were rated 4.5 or above out of a possible 5.0.

"A partnership with Social Venture Partners is the gift that keeps on giving," said Donna DiFillippo, Executive Director of Raising a Reader, one of SVP Boston's non profit investments. "Raising A Reader has benefited financially but also programmatically by the support of committed and experienced partners who have worked closely with me on issues that are vital for all upcoming non-profits including program assessment and evaluation, strategic planning, and board development. As our program expands beyond Boston SVP is still a guiding force, and partners stay involved through fund raising and networking events that are key to ensuring sustainability."

If you are interested in learning more about SVP Boston please contact Marjorie Ringrose at (617) 312-3772. For more information on Social Venture Partners or the SVPI 2008 Capacity Building Support report, please contact Social Venture Partners International at www.spvi.org or (206) 728-7872.

About Social Venture Partners Boston

Social Venture Partners Boston (SVP Boston) was created to bring professionals, business executives and entrepreneurs together to promote venture philanthropy and to catalyze positive social change in Boston. Modeled on the venture philanthropy approach, SVP Boston creates partnerships with innovative non-profit organizations by providing time, expertise and resources that fuel growth and build capacity and sustainability. The group treats grants like investments and strives to maximize social value return.

SVP Boston is a dual mission organization that seeks to practice engaged grant making and to catalyze individual philanthropy among the Partners by modeling the venture capital investment approach to philanthropy and by giving Partners greater opportunities for involvement, information and learning.

About Social Venture Partners International

Social Venture Partners International (SVPI) is the membership association for Social Venture Partners – an international network comprised of more than 2,000 accomplished individuals who combine their professional skills and financial contributions with a passion for philanthropy. Partners belong to local SVP affiliates and SVPI supports each affiliate by providing technology, professional development, an annual conference and peer networking opportunities designed to share knowledge and promote best practices throughout the network. The Social Venture Partners network currently has 24 affiliates located throughout the United States, Canada and Tokyo. To learn about starting an SVP affiliate in your city or for more information on Social Venture Partners, please visit www.svpi.org.

About the SVPI 2008 Capacity Building Report

Social Venture Partners International commissioned this report of collective survey findings to further serve as a resource for SVP affiliates. The 13 affiliates that participated in the survey were Arizona, British Columbia, Boulder County, Calgary, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, Portland, Rhode Island, San Diego and Seattle.

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