Guiding Principles for SVP Investments

While all of our investments are unique, our experience suggests that there are common themes to a successful SVP investment. The nonprofits we invest in:

- Are at a cross-roads. They have strong leadership and successful programs, but are seeking an organizational shift or evolution that will position them to: achieve sustainability; expand current efforts significantly or carry them out more effectively; or spread a model that has proven results in other communities.

- Are of sufficient size to benefit from a partnership with SVP. To take advantage of the volunteering we offer, the organization must have sufficient staff to design and implement capacity-building projects while maintaining the quality of their programming. At the same time, the organization must not be so well established that they frequently use or have significant access to other capacity-building resources. Our experience suggests that organizations in this sweet spot generally have some combination of the following: annual operating budgets in the $500,000-$3 million range; 2-3 staff, at least, including a full-time ED with several years of tenure with the organization; 2-3 years of programming that shows or is beginning to show measurable results; a Board that meets regularly and has defined roles and responsibilities.

- Have leadership that has identified capacity-building as a strategic priority and can commit the energy and resources needed to focus internally.

- Welcome SVP Boston Partners' expertise and find meaningful opportunities to work with us.

- Are committed to performance and outcomes measurement, whether well-developed or planned.

Organizations that consider SVP Boston solely as a source of funding will not be considered. We are looking to establish a true partnership with promising nonprofits that are committed to social change – a partnership that helps build the capacity of the organization to extend its reach and dramatically improve its success in serving the greater Boston community.  

Eligibility

To be considered for an SVP investment, applicants must be:

- Focused on serving clients in Boston city neighborhoods or adjacent towns

- Classified as a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization or have an appropriate fiscal sponsor or agent

- Delivering programs that address timely needs in education, workforce development, or economic mobility

Grants will be made for operations only. We will not consider requests for the following: debt reduction, endowment funds, capital campaigns, auctions or fund-raising campaigns, litigation or legal expenses, land acquisition, productions or performances, conferences, re-granting dollars to other nonprofit organizations.  We will not consider grant requests from individuals, for-profit organizations, pure sports teams, religious organizations for sectarian purposes, or organizations that discriminate on the basis of race, sexual orientation, gender, age, marital status, national origin, or physical ability.