Social Venture Partners is pleased to announce our Investment Selection for 2013 is Tucson Youth Development. Each of the four finalists are doing exceptional work for our community, and we are honored to have had the experience of getting to know their staff, meet some of their clients, and see their missions in action.

We know the SVP Investment process asks for a significant contribution of time and talent from applicants, as well as from our Investment Committee members. This year, 16 nonprofits submitted Letters of Inquiry and 4 proceeded with final proposals for selection. The finalists (Ben’s Bells, Old Pueblo Community Services, Tucson Oasis, and Tucson Youth Development) then conducted presentations and site visits to acquaint our Partners with the ins-and-outs of their work, mission, and vision. The Investment committee members were along for the ride, hanging tight while we rode the waves of new improvements to the process, new challenges, and a new host of outstanding nonprofits from which to choose.

This is our first Investee selected under the “life skills” funding focus.  At last year’s Annual Meeting, the Focus Task Force announced the expanding of our funding focus to the broader area of life skills, including literacy. We are committed to investing in building the capacity of innovative nonprofits which work to increase the life skills necessary to weave the economic, cultural and social fabric of our community now and in the future. SVP believes the development of core life skills, including literacy, enables individuals of all ages, through education and learning, to participate fully in the workplace, the marketplace and in day-to-day community life.

The mission of Tucson Youth Development (TYD) is to provide quality employment, training and educational services to economically disadvantaged youth who are in need of help to stay in school, graduate and prepare for post-secondary education and the world of work.  Opportunities offered by TYD include tutoring and instruction, skills preparation, structured training, resume building and interviewing skills training, soft skills development that encourage employability (punctuality, attendance, performance), and vocational training.  TYD annually supports approximately 1,200 youth through their varied programs.

Debra Stevenson, TYD Board President stated “We (the Board) understand that a partnership with SVP is a substantial commitment of staff and board time and effort that we are dedicated to fulfilling. We feel this is a unique and vital opportunity in supporting our efforts to take our organization to a higher and more secure level.  Your knowledge and support is an incredible resource.  We truly value your expertise and collaboration.”

Capacity building projects for Tucson Youth Development will be mutually agreed upon by SVP Co-Lead Partners, Rebecca Bednar and Will Butler and the SVP Work Team, and the Board and Staff of Tucson Youth Development.  Likely projects include the development of a strategic plan, exploration of new sources of funding (both earned and contributed), increased visibility for the organization, and leadership development.

“The selection process this year dug deeper than ever before”, stated William Wissler, Investment Chair “we had a very difficult choice, but believe we will have great impact on a population of young people and our community investing in and working alongside Tucson Youth Development”.

Partners can look forward to hearing from TYD and meeting members of their Board and staff at the Annual Partner Meeting on Tuesday, April 9, 2013 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at the Lodge on the Desert (click here to RSVP). 

The Board of Social Venture Partners wholeheartedly thanks the members of the Investment Committee for their hard work, due diligence and dedication to a thorough process.

2013 Investment Committee Members: William Wissler- Chair, Patricia Andrade, Rhonda Fleming, Bob McKay, Rebecca Bednar, Susan Tarrence, Will Butler, Mark Rubin, and Adaline Klemmedson.

Any Partners interested in joining the Work Team for TYD should contact Julia Waterfall-Kanter (Julia@svpgt.org), or Lead Partners Rebecca Bednar (rebeccabednar@me.com) or Will Butler (wmb@nextrio.com) .

 By Erin Henderson, Programs and Communications Associate/AmeriCorps VISTA

The 2012 Grant Round is officially underway. On Thursday, September 27, SVPGT welcomed over 40 nonprofit representatives to a Meet SVP session at the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona. Executive Director Julia Waterfall-Kanter delivered a fantastic presentation to educate grant hopefuls on the realities of working with SVP, the investment process, and how to determine if their organization would not only be qualified, but a good fit.

A good fit:

With the shift in our funding focus from literacy to life skills, we saw new players entering the game. Representatives from the following 42 organizations attended the launch session:

Administration of Resources and Choices

American Red Cross

Amity Circle Tree Ranch

Arizona Blind and Deaf Children’s Foundation

Arizona Youth Partnership

Arts for All

Arts Integration Solutions

Assistance League of Tucson

AVIVA Children’s Services

Ben’s Bells

Beowulf Alley Theater

Boys and Girls Clubs

Children’s Museum Tucson

CODAC Behavioral Health Services

Community Food Bank

Compass Health Care

Diaper Bank of Southern Arizona

Easter Seals Blake Foundation

Education Enrichment Foundation

Emerge!

Habitat for Humanity

Interfaith Community Services

Intermountain Centers for Human Development

Kore Press

La Paloma Family Services

Live the Solution

Model Community Learning Center

National Institute for Peer Support

Old Pueblo Community Services

Our Family Services

Pima Council on Aging

Primavera

Strength Building Partners

Trot

Tucson Botanical Gardens

Tucson Junior ??

Tucson Museum of Art

Tucson Oasis

Tucson Youth Development

Voices for Education

YMCA of Southern Arizona

YWCA

If you know our eligibility requirements, you know that right off the bat, some of these groups are already eliminated. Some just won’t be ready for a Partnership with SVP. Some of their Boards or Staff won’t be on board with the idea of another entity being involved in their processes. Some are too big and complex. Some are just too small. Like Goldilocks, we will be selecting the organization that is “Juuuuust right!”

Stiff competition. Slim chances. Only one organization out of 42 will be chosen.  But we don’t think it was a waste of the other’s time to show up and Meet SVP.

Why this meeting was valuable

A key element of SVPGT’s mission is to “build a culture of philanthropy.” At the meeting we took a moment to go around the room and have each representative introduce herself/himself. By familiarizing everyone with who was in the room, we took another step towards building that community. A community of philanthropy must be reflected in the relationships between nonprofits in order to best serve the community and inspire collaboration among individuals. These representatives weren’t only meeting SVP, but other members of the nonprofit community.

Kassy Rodheaver of the Pima County Public Library’s Grants and Nonprofits Info Center also brought along a few resources to plug all of these representatives into other grant opportunities. If SVP isn’t the right opportunity, there are more resources out there and the crowd seemed to really appreciate the additional info.

And just because an organization might not be a good fit this year, there’s always next year. And the next…and the next…

42 organizations now have a strong understanding of who SVPGT is, what we do, and why we do what we do. That spreading of knowledge is invaluable for the advancement of SVPGT and for the advancement of nonprofits that we invest in.

With the support of Partners Will Butler, Rhonda Fleming, Frank Grundstrom, and Mark Rubin, this meeting was a huge success. We can’t wait to start reading the Letters Of Inquiry!

DIVE INTO SVP: Join the Investment Committee and be a part of these exciting times. Who doesn’t want to have a hand in giving away money?!

 

Thanks to all of our Partners for your contribution and the added effort of keeping up with your hours!

Check out the impact you are having! It’s so exciting to be able to report this to the world and shout it from the rooftops!

“SVPGT is advancing nonprofits in substantial ways!”

 

 

BACK TO SCHOOL 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stuff a Backpack for Homeless Youth

Homeless youth ages 13-21 need school supplies too!
Please help “Stuff a Backpack” for one of the 4,000+ homeless youth in our high schools. Fill a teen-size backpack with various school supplies: loose leaf paper, folders, pens, binders, pencils, glue, tape, calculator, Kleenex, hand sanitizer and more – or make a donation.

Drop off at one of the following collection sites by AUGUST 20.

The Community Foundation for Southern Arizona is now a drop off location!

2250 East Broadway Blvd (map)

Questions? Email Erin@svpgt.org

 

 

 

 

 

By Erin Henderson

Programs and Communications Associate/AmeriCorps VISTA

After studying Communication, Spanish and Studio Art and graduating from Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia in 2011, Erin, a true Georgia Peach, pulled her roots out of the thick red Georgia clay and relocated to Tucson to serve one year as an AmeriCorps volunteer with SVPGT. She enjoys exploring the new “Alien Planet” that is the Sonoran Desert/Tucson, never meeting a stranger, and singing in a Reggae/Latin/Funk band.

You’re standing on the edge of a pool. On the edge of summer. It’s scorching outside, yet somehow the placid chlorine waters have remained frigid. You dip in a toe or two, and quickly withdraw with a shudder. “There’s no way…” you mutter to yourself. The bird who watches you curiously from an overhanging branch chuckles to herself at the sight of you.

After pacing a few steps on the hot concrete (which at this point is slowly blistering your poor soles), you set your towel beside the pool, sit yourself on the towel, and gingerly lower your legs up to your calves in the water. “This isn’t so bad,” you think to yourself as you gracefully draw figure eights underwater with your toes, the water molecules creating a slow motion effect on your movements.

The longer you sit there, the more you are urged by the hot sun on the top of your head and shoulders to “Just jump in already!”

Finally, you stand, make a bee line to the diving board (It’s now or never…), take a few large steps and, with a bounce and a gulp of air, take the plunge head first into the man-made oasis.

The shock hits you. With a few strokes you have made it nearly to the other side of the pool and slowly ascend to the surface. With a sharp exhale, followed by a deep inhalation of warm air, you realize you were right. It wasn’t so bad!

Now, instead of standing on the edge wishing you had the guts to risk the minor discomfort of cold water on your hot skin, you are in the pool, lavishing in luxurious laps. Bet you’re glad you didn’t miss that opportunity! Whew!

At the Social Venture Partners Greater Tucson Annual Meeting on April 23, Lance Fors— the SVPI Board Chair, SV2 (Silicon Valley) Member, and our Guest Speaker for the evening—gave an enchanting account of his first days with SVP. From “Know-little Newbie” to “One of the best spokespersons for SVPI we’ve got” (-John Smith, SVPGT Board Chair), Lance’s approach to getting involved says it all: “I just jumped in and did it.”

If today (or yesterday…or tomorrow…) you are questioning where you fit into the SVP Family/Partnership, you are in good company. As Lance said of SVP gatherings, “It’s like living in a 60 watt world and you just walked into a room of 100w light bulbs.”  And as family, we stand beside you to help you find your place and carry your light further. There are no square pegs around here.

Get Plugged In:

Start by completing your Partner Profile, if you haven’t already. This gives staff, committee members and lead partners access to a taste of who you are, what you bring to the SVP table, and what service opportunities are most important to you. We want to help you find an opportunity that is most meaningful to you personally. Click here to go to the Intranet and complete your partner profile. If you need any help, please contact me (erin@svpgt.org).

Grab a cup of coffee or lunch with Julia or a Lead Partner or our Chief Engager to discuss your interests. There is plenty of work to be done with our Investees. And we know that our Partners are out there thinking:

“What can I offer, besides a financial contribution?”

“I want to get engaged, but don’t know where to start.”

“I haven’t heard of any opportunities that are available.”

“There aren’t any projects that interest me.”

“My career field is not applicable to the projects available to volunteer for.”

“I don’t know how to strategically develop a work plan or govern a board.”

“This job is meant for someone else with more related experience.”

Instead, try asking yourself:

“How have I enjoyed volunteering in the past?”

“How much time do I have available to volunteer?”

“Do I want to do more than give a financial contribution?”

“Who do I most want to help?”

“What ideas do I have that other partners haven’t thought of yet?”

Keep an eye out for new Volunteer Your Time and Talent postings on the Monday Missive, svpgt.org, and Social Media. We are working closely with Lead Partners and Investees to give you the latest in volunteer opportunities and find more ways for our talented Partners to give back. Even if you are unsure about a job posting, it never hurts to dig a little deeper. It may be a chance to learn a new skill! We’ll help you find a good fit. Click here to see Volunteer Your Time and Talent Poastings

Attend Committee Meetings, Conferences, Partner Education Events, and Social/Recruitment Events. Discovering and understanding what other Partners are involved in is an inspirational way to picture yourself in various roles or collaborating on various projects.

You’d be surprised how many of your professional skills are in high demand for serving our Investees and our own infrastructure. You might even have a skill our Partnership didn’t know it needed. You never know which of your skills might come in handy! So let’s get creative together!

For example, who knew that our Partner Rhonda Fleming was a Powerpoint Presentation Wiz? As a teacher, she coached students on Science Fair projects for years! With her help, the Focus Task Force delivered a solid presentation at the Annual Meeting (Great Job Julia, Ava and Frank!).

Lance was once in the same boat: wanting to get more involved, but not sure where to start. But he said it was “all about taking that first step.” One of our favorite words around here is “Engagement.” But why get engaged? Why put in the effort to Volunteer Your Time and Talent? When asked why he joined SVP, Lance’s answer was simple: “I wanted a life that was significantly more meaningful.”

What other reason do you need to get engaged? “Just jump in already!”

 

Jump In and Reach Out:

Sunnyside Parents as Teachers Lead Partner: Harriet Kronman

Reading Seed Lead Partner: Ginnie Griffis

Youth on Their Own Lead Partnet: Ruby Buchsbaum

Chief Engager: Mark Rubin

Executive Director: Julia Waterfall-Kanter

Programs and Communications Associate: Erin Henderson

By: Jackie Kajos

Let’s celebrate, because our investees are making an undeniable impact in our community! SVPGT’s newest investee, Reading Seed, is a children’s literacy program that helps children in Pima County learn to read. They have a variety of programs to addressing community literacy, including and certainly not limited to a volunteer reading coach program to assist children reading below grade level in grades one through three. A total of 1300 volunteers are serving 3000 children in the community! And this program has measurable results! According to a pilot study by the College of Education at the University of Arizona, “87% of students working with Reading Seed coaches progressed at least one reading level in only two months.”

Reading Seed’s Recognition Celebration honored those volunteers and supporters that are making an impact in Tucson and the surrounding areas, helping children to improve their reading skills, fall in love with reading, and give them a foundation for learning. Take Phillip for example.

Phillip didn’t like reading before he started working with his Reading Coach. His mom, Xochtil, had tried to get him to read books, but he wouldn’t. So, his Reading Coach made a special effort to find books that Phillip might like. After he watched the first Harry Potter movie, his Reading Coach got him the first Harry Potter book, which he loved. When Phillip saw the movie Percy Jackson & the Olympians and really enjoyed it, his Reading Coach found him the book of the same title.

Now Phillip is a self-professed avid reader. He’s collected the entire Harry Potter and Perry Jackson series! And Phillip is more confident in school. When his teacher asked if he’d like to lead a special lesson of his choice one day, he said yes, and he’d like three days to do it! And now Xochtil volunteers at Reading Seed too because she truly believes in the program. The support of Reading Seed and his mother has paved Phillip’s road for school success.

In addition, Sunnyside School District Superintendent Manuel L. Isquierdo spoke about his progressive approach to improving graduation rates in SUSD with technological incentives through Project Graduation. Graduation rates have already increased, from 505 students in 2007 to 825 students in 2010! He commended the Reading Seed program for its impact on childhood literacy in SUSD, emphasizing that graduation starts in kindergarten and literacy is the foundation to school achievement.

We are also very appreciative for Reading Seed’s recognition of our partnership and capacity-building efforts. At the celebration, Lead Partner Ginny Griffis and Executive Director Julia Waterfall-Kanter accepted a certification of appreciation from Reading Seed. SVPGT has been working with Reading Seed on strategic planning and fund development. We very much look forward to cultivating our partnership over the next 2 ½ years!

 

By: Jackie Kajos

Volunteers and Friends of Make Way for Books

Our investee Make Way For Books’ 2011 Annual Open house was such a blast! It’s amazing to see how many people in the community are involved with MWFB and the tremendous impact they are making in Tucson. The evening honored MWFB Staff and Board Members and the dozens of dedicated Storytown and Storytime volunteers that help to make MWFB’s programs a possibility, some of who have been reading to preschoolers for as many as 11 or 13 years! Wow!

Peace Project & Pamela Simon

Executive Director Mary Jan Bancroft updated the attendees on MWFB’s projects, including the Picture Book Peace Project. The Picture Book Peace Project is designed to help promote peace through reading, by teaching children about helping, friendship, caring, cooperation, respect for the earth, and diversity. Make Way For Books offers free sets of picture books for classrooms in the Sunnyside School District Literacy Zone, and an early literacy workshop for educators about promoting peace through reading. New picture books are also available for children to take home, and are featured in the sharing library for Storytime volunteers to read to preschoolers.

Outreach Coordinator for Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, Pamela Simon

Outreach Coordinator for Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, Pamela Simon, who is a former middle school teacher, spoke at the Make Way For Books 2011 Open House about the Picture Book Peace Project. In lieu of the tragic events in Tucson in January, she emphasized the significance of teaching children the values of peace and caring from a young age. Pamela Simon also noted the importance of reading to children from the early age and how having a household that appreciates reading is vital for a child’s school success.

‘A Splendid Friend, Indeed’

Attendees were also entertained by a fun performance by the characters “Bear” and “Goose” from the book, A Splendid Friend, Indeed by Suzanne Bloom. The story is about a talkative goose who keeps interrupting his friend the quiet polar bear when he is reading and writing, and takes his book and pencil and paper. Bear is frustrated, but Goose writes him a note about how he is a “splendid friend” and bear realizes Goose if a great friend to him too. It’s a wonderful story of friendship, caring, and sharing, and perfect to honor the “splendid friends” of Make Way For Books!

“Goose” and “Bear” from A Splendid Friend, Indeed

It was a wonderful evening full of laughs, delicious food and drinks, good friends, dedicated volunteers and staff members, and most importantly the celebration of the love of reading!