Partner Engagement

Social Venture Partners Greater Tucson represents a new approach for those who wish to give something back to their community. Using key elements from the venture capital field, our Partners invest their pooled funds in selected nonprofits and at the same time actively nurture these financial contributions by offering their time and professional expertise. Building a dynamic connection between entrepreneurial energy and grassroots innovation, SVPGT links individuals with nonprofit organizations to make a hands-on difference.

Our objective is to help develop the organizational capacity and sustainability of each nonprofit we support, so that they can serve our community more effectively and efficiently, now and in the future.

Engaged Donors
Partners come from different professional backgrounds and all ages. Some bring highly specialized skills; others bring a good brain and a willing heart. Some are wealthy while others invest most of their philanthropic dollars through SVP. Though diverse in many ways, the group is united in its commitment to the community and its residents.

In addition to making an annual tax-deductible contribution of $5,000 per Partner Unit, Partners can work directly with nonprofits to maximize the social return on their dollars. Some Partners choose to provide financial support only; others volunteer many hours each week. The rest contribute a few hours each month in ways that range from discreet hands-on projects to management support and consulting in the areas of finance, strategic planning, human resources, donor development, board training, marketing, evaluation, and more.

Informed Partners
Partners are also involved in all aspects of SVP’s operations through committees focused on governance, planning, finance, Partner recruitment and retention, grantmaking, and Partner education.

Often, Partners initially get involved with SVP Greater Tucson by volunteering to serve on the Investment Team or the Portfolio Review Committee. The Investment Team reviews proposals and selects nonprofit organizations that will receive our financial and volunteer support. The Portfolio Review Committee reviews our “portfolio” of investments every six months and recommends whether or not to re-fund Investees in years two and three. These committees also design and implement the due diligence processes required for effective grantmaking and sound social investing.

Impact Teams Literacy Volunteers of Tucson Mark Fisher, Lead Partner Nancy Davis, Human Resources David Griffis, Strategic Planning Ann Lovell, Finance Mark Rubin, Real Estate Attorney Meredith Spear, Space Planning Richard Studwell, Site Planning Robert Davis, Commercial Real Estate Voices, Inc. Marcia Klipsch, Lead Partner Steve Alley, Board Development Frank Grundstrom, Human Resources Mark Rubin, Fund Development Meredith Spear, Strategic Planning Make Way for Books Jill Rosenzweig, Lead Partner Steve Alley, Board Development Ann Lovell, Fund Development Jane Wilson, Human Resources Mark Rubin, Board Development Sunnyside Parents as Teachers Harriet Kronman, Lead Partner Karen Rothschild, Co-Lead Partner COMMUNITY PARTNERS Donate $5,000 or more per year towards SVP operations. This enables SVP to donate (invest) a larger portion of Partner contributions back into the community. Jack Gibson (Arizona Public Media) Michael Bolchalk and Robyn Frey (BolchalkFrey Marketing, Advertising & Public Relations) Steve Alley (Community Foundation for Southern Arizona) Lura M. Lovell (The Lovell Foundation) Diamond Family Philanthropies Jeff Fuld (Elle Wine Country Restaurant) Richard L. Luebke, Jr. (Pima Medical Institute) Rick Rose (Film Creations, LTD.) Sarah Smallhouse (Smallhouse Foundation of CFSA) Zuckerman Community Outreach Foundation (CFSA)

Committees Investment Team 2009 Frank Grundstrom, Chair Sara Cohen Jo Goodman Jamie Kelley Harriet Kronman Karen Rothschild Bruce Schadow Jim Wezelman Bill Wissler Portfolio Review 2009 Jane Wilson, Chair Carolyn Bass Cynthia Dickstein John Duffy Ginnie Griffis Cande Grogan Len Kronman Peter Spear Walter Swap Events Committee Susan Dubow, Chair Jane Wilson Partner Recruitment and Retention Helaine Levy, Co-Chair Mark Rubin, Co-Chair David Cohen Bill Kelley Len Kronman Partner Education and Events John Smith, Chair Stephen Golden Cande Grogan Dorothy Leonard Catherene Morton Jane Ragle Event Hosts Amy Charles and Steve McMillan Sara Cohen Susan Dubow Jeff Fuld (Elle Wine Country Restaurant) Ginnie and David Griffis Pam Grissom Marcia and Richard Klipsch Helaine Levy and Steve Alley Ann Lovell Lura Lovell Catherene Morton Jane Ragle and John Smith Harriet Silverman Meredith and Peter Spear Jane Wilson and Mark Rubin