Social Venture Partners Greater Tucson

By: Jackie Kajos

After much deliberation and consideration, we are pleased to announce the four finalists for our Grant Round 2011! We received LOIs from 13 amazing organizations in Greater Tucson, and we were floored by all they are doing in the community! We couldn’t be happier that so many nonprofits were interested in partnering with Social Venture Partners Greater Tucson.

However, our Grant Round is very competitive as the Team will ultimately choose only one investee. Thus, the Investment Team narrowed down the LOIs to four organizations who have been asked to submit full proposals to the Team. Our broader focus on community literacy has allowed for four very unique organizations that are addressing community literacy in a variety of ways.

And now to introduce the Final Four:

1. The Loft Cinema

The Loft Cinema is a nonprofit arts organization that is a venue for independent, foreign, alternative and classic narrative films and documentaries.

Mission: “The Loft is a nonprofit, community-supported cinema that honors the vision of filmmakers, celebrates ideas and promotes the appreciation and understanding of the art of film.”

2. Arizona Blind & Deaf Children’s Foundation

The Arizona Blind & Deaf Children’s Foundation “is committed to ensuring that all of the 4,000-plus blind, deaf, low-vision, and hard-of-hearing children throughout the state have access to experiential learning in key areas that encompass, and expand upon traditional education.”

Mission: “Arizona Blind & Deaf Children’s Foundation invests in the future of our state’s 4,000-plus blind and deaf youth.

3. Youth On Their Own

Youth On Their Own is “a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization drop out prevention program that supports the high school graduation of homeless unaccompanied Metro Tucson youth ages 13 (or in 8th grade) through 21.”

Mission: “Youth On Their Own is dedicated to support the high school graduation and continued success of homeless youth by providing financial assistance, basic human needs and guidance.”

4. “New Co” a.k.a Tucson Literacy Movement

The Tucson Literacy movement is the result of the five-organization merger of Literacy Volunteers of Tucson, Reach Out and Read Southern Arizona, Reading Seed, Stories That Soar! and the Literacy for Life Coalition.

Mission: “To empower people of all ages by developing a culture of literacy and creative expression.”

I encourage you to read more about these organizations, learn about their programs and their impact! All four organizations have accepted our request for a full proposal. The final proposal will be due September 15th. The Investment Team will do site visits in the fall, and the applicants will give presentations to the team! The final decision will be made in November and announced to the community. We’ll keep you updated, and we invite you to come along with us for this exciting ride!

By: Jackie Kajos

Our 2011 Grant Round is well under way! We received thirteen Letters of Inquiry from non-profits in the community–five more than last year! The LOIs were from a range of organizations that address community literacy in Pima County, and many of which have never applied for a grant before.

The Investment Committee consisting of ten partners–some veterans of the committee and some fresh faces–met on Monday, June 6th to talk about the LOIs. The meeting was filled with great ideas and lively conversation. Partners discussed the organizations, their mission and vision, their programs, their current organizational position, where SVPGT could provide technical support and the potential fit for a partnership with SVPGT. After much deliberation, partners ranked their top four organizations. Their choices will be complied and finalized in the coming week.

We will be notifying the four finalists that they have been chosen for a full proposal on June 16th, and the finalists will be announced to the partners on June 17th (and on this blog!). All of the organizations that submitted LOIs are doing amazing work in Pima County and we are truly energized and inspired by their tremendous impact in the community literacy sector and beyond. We will get in touch with the organizations that were not chosen prior to June 16th. Final proposals will due on September 15th. Thank you to our fabulous Investment Committee and all of the organizations that submitted proposals!