Social Venture Partners Greater Tucson

By: Jackie Kajos

Thanks for joining us for Part 2 of our site visits! To recap, each year as part of the Grant Round, our Investment Committee makes site visits to the organizations that are chosen as finalists for our Investment cycle. The 2011 Investment Committee consists of Partners David Griffis (Chair), Frank Grundstrom, Susan Tarrence, Bob and Ginnie McKay, Bill Wissler, John Payne, Susan Warmack, Ruby Buchsbaum, Doris Coris, Mark Rubin, Jill Rosenzweig, and Hank Peck.

Partners have volunteered their time to evaluate the nonprofit organizations that submit Letters of Inquiry, and the Committee then requests full proposals. Full proposals are requested from the nonprofits that they feel would be the best fit for working with our organization and have the most room for potential to benefit from Partners’ skills. As part of the Investment Process, the Committee makes site visits, which are one of the most interesting and fun parts of the Grant Round!

We have already recapped our visits to The Loft Cinema and Youth On Their Own. In the second round of site visits, the Investment Committee visited Literacy Connects and The Arizona Blind and Deaf Children’s Foundation.

Literacy Connects

The Committee made a site visit to Literacy Connects, which is a newly formed organization that resulted when five literacy organizations in Tucson merged to create one strong organization that aims to lead a literacy movement in Tucson. Literacy Connects is a unique organization consisting of four partner programs: Reading Seed, Reach Out and Read Southern Arizona, and Stories That Soar!, in addition to the Literacy For Life Coalition. Together these programs provide a variety of services to the community, including and not limited to:  adult literacy classes, reading coaches and support for elementary-aged children, children’s arts programs, parental support and early literacy intervention, and community literacy advocacy.

Our Investment Committee made a site visit to the Literacy Connects headquarters. We had the chance to meet with Executive Director Betty Stauffer to talk about Literacy Connects’ mission and goals in the future. Partners brainstormed and discussed opportunities in which they could assist Literacy Connects as they progress as an organization, solidify their infrastructure and integrate operations. Partners toured the very busy offices and got a feel for daily activities, which included a glimpse of two adult literacy classes. It was an exiting morning and we’re looking forward to seeing the “literacy movement” progress!

[Check out more photos here on Facebook]

Arizona Blind and Deaf Children’s Foundation

The Investment Committee headed over to the Arizona Schools for the Blind and Deaf to check out the art, literacy, fitness and life skills programs that Arizona Blind and Deaf Children’s Foundation (ABDCF) helps to support. ABDCF is committed to providing the 4,000+ blind, deaf, low-vision and hard-of-hearing children throughout the state with experiential learning in key areas involved in and beyond traditional education. ABDCF does this by supporting programs at Arizona Schools for the Deaf and Blind. Executive Director of ABDCF, Rita Weatherholt set up a site visit for the Committee in the Art Shed, an area at the school where deaf and blind children have the opportunity to participate in hands-on art projects and express themselves through creative means.

The Committee got to explore the Art Shed, where students were working with a variety of artistic mediums. Students can sculpt with clay, paint and draw, and weave on large or hand-held looms. Partners were also given a presentation on other programs that the ABDCF funds. An ASBD teacher presented about the “Literacy for Life” program that includes adaptive communication tools and resources for parents and children about sign language and braille, and reading to children with hearing and sight impairment.

The Committee was also shown a demonstration of a broadcasting activity, where a student interviewed Partner Frank Grundstrom on radio equipment. Students can modify the interview and sound clips on editing software and create broadcasts. Another student also talked about a hiking trip that he went on in Sedona as a part of the “Fitness for Life” program. ABDCF purchased hiking poles for the students that they used on their 5 and 10 mile hikes! ABDCF also funds a “Success for Life” program that teaches students independent life skills, financial literacy and career technology. The Committee greatly enjoyed their trip to the Arizona School for the Deaf and Blind and the Art Shed, where they were able to talk to students and see programs in action!

[Check out more photos of the site visit here on Facebook]

Thank you to The Loft Cinema, Youth On Their Own, Literacy Connects and Arizona Blind and Deaf Children’s Foundation for graciously hosting us! The Committee very much enjoyed getting to know our Finalists better. Thank you to wonderful Investment Committee for all of their time, energy and enthuasism!

By: Jackie Kajos

Last week the Investment Committee made site visits to our four finalists. The site visits are a wonderful way to get a real feel for an organization, meet the staff and get acquainted with the work that these four nonprofits are doing in the community. They are also a lot of fun!

The Loft Cinema

The Committee’s first site visit was at The Loft Cinema. The Loft Cinema 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. It showcases independent, foreign, alternative and classic narrative films and documentaries. The Loft is a place for members of the Tucson community to go to hear the voices of people all over the world. Each year, The Loft hosts two free film series: the Tucson International Children’s Film Festival in July, and Essential Cinema, a series of classic art films on the big screen in new 35mm prints. It also offers 3 programs to support local filmmakers. In 2010, The Loft Cinema sold 145,000 tickets, an increase of 30,000 tickets from 2009.

For our site visit, Executive Director Peggy Johnson gave the Committee a tour of the theater. We saw the offices, two screens and the projection room. Following the tour, Debi Mabie the Director of Education presented a demonstration of The Loft’s education program that is currently being developed. This particular example pertained to modern film adaptations of Shakespeare, including a poem and excepts from films “10 Things I Hate About You” and “Romeo + Juliet”. The Loft’s education program will be a collaborative effort between the cinema and literacy programs in the community, and aims to give students the tools to interpret what they see on screen and develop critical thinking skills. The Committee greatly enjoyed the tour and the opportunity to participate in the film education presentation.

[Check out more photos from the site visit here on Facebook]

Youth On Their Own

The Committee also made a site visit to Youth On Their Own. Youth On Their Own is a nonprofit organization that supports the high school graduation and continued success of homeless youth in greater Tucson (ages 13 through 21) by providing financial assistance, basic human needs and guidance. The Committee toured the YOTO offices and saw the “Mini-Mall” which is a place where students can access basic needs items such as food, clothing, hygiene items, and household and school supplies. Additionally, students enrolled in the YOTO program can receive a monthly stipend of up to $125 based on their school performance. The YOTO program also offers housing referrals, personal counseling and one-on-one success coaching, medical, dental and vision care, a refurbished computer and employment opportunities and community involvement activities.

Committee members also had the opportunity to meet with Executive Director Teresa Baker and Development Director Matt Yotter to ask questions about the YOTO program and the youth that it serves.  YOTO boasts impressive statistics; they serve over 550 students with a 92% graduation rate, as compared to the average graduation rate of 78% in Tucson. Members were especially interested in hearing about students experience’s within the program. Teresa Baker was able to tell the group about a number of current students and recent graduates of the YOTO program and the success that they have achieved despite the hardship they have had to endure. Discussions also included where Partners could offer there assistance to YOTO, including strategic planning and board development. The visit was powerful and moving, in addition to informative and thought-provoking.

Thank you to both The Loft Cinema and Youth On Their Own for taking the time to show us their organizations and answer our questions!

[Check out more photos from the site visit here on Facebook]

By: Jackie Kajos

Final Proposals from our Grant Round 2011 Finalists are due tomorrow, September 15th, 2011 at 5 pm. We have invited four innovative organizations that address community literacy to submit final proposals to our Investment Committee. The four organizations include: The Loft, Arizona Deaf & Blind Children’s Foundation, Youth On Their Own and the Tucson Literacy Movement merger.

The Investment Committee, consisting of Chair David Griffis and members Susan Warmack, Susan Tarrence, Bill Wissler, Ruby Buchsbaum, Hank Peck, Jill Rosenzweig, Doris Coris, Mark Rubin, John Payne and Frank Grundstrom, will review the proposals in preparation of the October 4th Finalist Presentations. The four organizations will give half-hour long presentations to the Committee, Staff and Partners about their organization and areas where SVP Partners can offer their expertise. The Investment Committee and Partners will then make site visits to the nonprofits on October 10th and 11th.

The Investment Commitee will meet on October 18th and vote for the organization that they feel has the most potential to benefit from a partnership with SVP. The selection will be reviewed and ratified at the Board of Directors meeting on October 25th. The organization will be notified soon after and our new Investee will be officially announced at the November 18th event.

Best of luck to our four Finalists! We’re very excited to learn more about your impact in the community during the next few months!

 

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!

By: Jackie Kajos

Our 2011 Grant Round Launch was great, we had an even bigger turnout than we originally expected! Twenty-five nonprofits in the community were represented, ranging from theater groups to arts programs, and literacy organizations to community centers. We’ve expanded our definition of literacy to encompass and address more aspects of what it means to lead a fulfilling and prosperous life, and we are looking forward to investigating the new possibilities that this expansion allows. Partners on the Investment answered questions and got to know a little bit more about the interested organizations.

We went over the Investment Process timeline and what to expect. To paraphrase Partner David Griffis, the goal of our Partners and our organization is to help built capacity so that they can “do” more program, but not necessarily fund the program itself. Letter of Inquires and Datasheets will be due on June 2^nd. The LOI and Datasheet is the place to convince us where your organization will be able to use our partners and our skills. Some important questions to consider include:

• How does your organization address community literacy?
• Is your organization ready for the next step?
• Is there enough infrastructure in place?
• Do you need both technical support in addition to funding?
• Does the culture of your organization mesh well with ours?
• Where can you use our partners skills?
• What areas of your organization need expertise?

Compel us and demonstrate to us your organization’s potential for innovation and growth, and most importantly show us how your organization and ours fits. We are anticipating the beginning of the review process, and our Partners are excited to see the great things your organization is doing for Pima County! Get in touch with us if you have any questions: email Julia at julia@svpgt.org!

By: Jackie Kajos

Social Venture Partners Greater Tucson is delighted to announce the Launch of our 2011 Grant Round!

SVPGT will be making multi-year grants in the area of literacy. SVPGT defines literacy as not only the ability to read, to write and to speak, but also the application of related skills which enable individuals of ages to participate fully in the workplace, the marketplace, and in day-to-day community life. If your organization addresses these needs within our community, you are encouraged to attend the launch and learn more!

We make grants through an investment process, beginning with a Community Wide Launch.

Join us for the Launch:

Wednesday, May 11^th, at 4 pm

Community Foundation for Southern Arizona

2250 E. Broadway Blvd

Tucson, AZ 85719

Please RSVP and direct questions to Executive Director Julia Waterfall-Kanter at julia@svpgt.org

PLEASE NOTE: In order to be considered for the Investment process, a representative from your organization must attend the Launch!

Our process is different from other organizations that make grants because we use a philanthropic venture-capitalist model, and encourage our partners to engage in strategic and active giving. Organizations are chosen for investment, which means they receive not only a grant, but time and expertise from our skilled and talented partners. We specialize in capacity-building, which includes but is not limited to development of core skills management practices, planning, strategies and systems, and sustainability.

Investees are chosen by a group of our partners who assess whether our organizations are a good fit, by evaluating applications, reviewing proposals, assessing needs and attending site visits.

Following the Launch, organizations are invited to submit Letters of Inquiry (LOI) by June 2^nd. You can find the Grant Round Timeline, Guidelines and Forms here. The investee announcement will be made on November 18, 2011. Come to our Grant Round Launch next week and learn more, we’d love to have you!