social venture partners cincinnati - invest differently june 15, 2016
TRANSCRIPT
Welcome to Social Venture Partners
Social Venture Partners is Greater Cincinnati’s home for engaged philanthropists.
We are part of an international network of 3500 Partners who collectively invest
time, talent and grant money in innovative ways to strengthen local nonprofits. Our
purpose is simple: to enable our investees to make the Cincinnati region a stronger
and more vibrant community.
Invest Differently
Social Venture Partners - Who we are
Our Cincinnati Partners:
Range in age from 25 to 60+ years
Range in life experience from those who have climbed the corporate ladder,
to life-long volunteers, to those starting their adult lives
About half are working full time and half are retired or self-employed
Some join to share their leadership, others to hone their skills
Half are women
Have skills that range from time management and event planning to strategic
planning and risk assessment to accounting and financial skills to creative
talents to social work
Some are sponsored by the corporations they work for
All are looking for a way to combine the power of business with their
passion for philanthropy
Social Venture Partners - Who we are
“When I hear a Lead Partner talk
passionately about work we are doing
with an investee, I feel really good about
the stewardship of my investment.”
SVP Founding Co-Chair and Current
Partner, Garen Wisner
“SVP Partners quite simply have a
burning desire to use their business
and life skills to improve their
communities. SVP is hands-down my
favorite volunteer experience.”
SVP Founding and Current Partner,
Susan Ingmire
“It is difficult to be an effective
philanthropist by yourself; even if you
have the money and the time. With the
pooled resources, both in money and in
expertise, it is much easier to really
make a difference.”
Former SVP Chair and Current Partner,
Glenn Bitzenhofer
“Investing $1,000 through SVP is like
writing a $4,000 check because we
leverage our financial contribution with
many hours of intellectual capital to
make a bigger impact.”
Former SVP Treasurer and Current
Partner, Joe Ratterman
Social Venture Partners - What we doA global network of local donors seeking to make a difference in our communities by doing good
better. We do this by pooling our contributions for greater impact with nonprofits selected for
investment.
Social Venture Partner grants are just the beginning of our investment. Partners invest their
expertise, experience and networks to help nonprofits succeed.
In Cincinnati, grants are typically $35,000 - $75,000 over three years. Each grant is leveraged by
the strategic contribution of our partners’ time and expertise, so that the average benefit to the
nonprofits is three to five times greater than the cash grants alone. That’s $200,000 - $300,000
per investee.
The engagement between Social Venture Partners and nonprofit investees fosters a relationship
that makes customized, sustainable change possible for the nonprofit, and an unparalleled
journey to increased philanthropic impact for our partners.
Social Venture Partners – What we do
Nonprofits we fund and have funded
Social Venture Partners – What more we doWe cultivate effective philanthropists
We are committed to developing a community of informed, powerful donors.
The engaged philanthropy model provides partners with a unique opportunity to
learn about the challenges facing our community and local nonprofits.
From annual SVP International conferences to local panel discussions with
nationally recognized experts, SVP education programs allow partners to build
skills and knowledge for truly effective philanthropy. We offer partners a safe
forum to explore more deeply their giving philosophies and interests.
Social Venture Partners – What more we doFast Pitch is a technique borrowed from the venture capital and start-up communities.
It is a way to showcase and accelerate nonprofits making a difference in our city.
Nonprofits get training in telling effective, inspiring stories and then compete via a 3-
minute pitch for up to $30,000 in prizes.
In its third year, Fast Pitch 2016 was bigger and better than ever! It was attended by
550 people and we continue to hear the impact beyond the cash awards.
Social Venture Partners – Join usThere are several options to join the partnership. Partners or their corporate sponsors
make a minimum, tax-deductible, annual contribution of:
$6,000 for families
$3,000 for individuals
$1,500 for young professionals (<35)
Donations are pooled to fund the local nonprofits Social Venture Partners supports as well
as our programming and operations. These contributions are stretched further by those
who volunteer their time and skills to strengthen our Investees, Social Venture Partners,
and the social sector at large. Our hands-on approach leverages our financial
contributions by a ratio of 4:1. This is what differentiates Social Venture Partners from
other funders.
Partner roles are very flexible. Some Partners use Social Venture Partners as a way to
make a highly leveraged gift, others take advantage of our education sessions and peer
learning opportunities, and some dig into strategic projects with our Investees.
Social Venture Partners – Join usCorporate Partner Executive Leadership Program:SVP offers hands-on experiences for executives to develop and practice leadership skills
through direct community involvement with our selected nonprofits. You – the executive
or employer – can select projects or activities based on interest, time and development
needs. Recent projects include developing effective board members, assessing critical
needs for organization growth, building a strategic plan, and leading volunteer teams.
Benefits of a corporate sponsorship include:
Building problem-solving skills
Learning to get comfortable in your discomfort
Increasing knowledge and professional expertise in philanthropy
Networking with other business and community-minded people
Generating substantial and meaningful civic involvement
Contributing to employee engagement
Social Venture Partners – Why it matters
The nonprofits we support are changing lives.
Some examples in the last year:
Provided daily breakfast and lunch to over 2,000 underserved children during the summer months.
Reduced child abuse in Greater Cincinnati by hosting over 800 supervised visits per month in
addition to providing several other programs.
Supported 53 community gardens in 22 neighborhoods, yielding over 2,400 pounds of fresh,
healthy food for the families living there.
Social Venture Partners helps investees serve more people, provide more effective
programs, and make an even greater impact by remembering one simple rule: stronger
nonprofits deliver better results.
The health of a nonprofit often gets overlooked. Things like sound financial systems and
up-to-date technology are not rallying cries, but they can mean the difference between
reaching 100,000 and 1.5 million people in need.
Social Venture Partners – Why it matters
Since joining SVP:
Partners give more
60% of partners surveyed have increased their giving
73% of those who increased their giving said that SVP was a factor
Partners give more strategically
Through shared learning, collective grant making and volunteering, our Partners develop a
more strategic approach to their giving
Among those who indicated a change in their approach, 99% say that SVP was a factor
Partners are more involved in their communities
The majority of Partners surveyed have increased their civic engagement in
several areas, and many are community leaders
Among those whose engagement increased, 94% said that SVP was a factor in that
change
Source: 2011 Demonstrating SVP’s Impact Survey
Social Venture Partners – What we do
2012 Graduate
www.civicgardencenter.org
The Civic Garden Center of Greater Cincinnati builds community through gardening, education, and
environmental stewardship. In 2011, with the support of Social Venture Partners, the Civic Garden Center
opened the Green Learning Station - a place where all generations can get hands-on experience in using
environmentally responsible methods to grow gardens anywhere and everywhere: yards, rooftops, walls,
patios, driveways and parking lots.
“In our excitement about the Green Learning Station, the project had gotten a little outside of the mission of
the Civic Garden Center. Fortunately, Social Venture Partners came into our lives and encouraged us to
align it more closely with our strategic plan. I would tell anybody to leap at the opportunity to work with SVP.
The dollars involved pale in comparison to what they bring to the table in terms of intellectual capital and
relationships.”
Betsy Townsend, Project Manager, Green Learning Station
(A Project of the Civic Garden Center of Greater Cincinnati)
Social Venture Partners – What we do
2013 Graduate
www.gormanfarm.org
Gorman Heritage Farm’s mission is to provide people an opportunity to explore and learn the history,
methods and values of a working farm in a natural setting. Gorman Heritage Farm, located on 120 acres
overlooking the Millcreek Valley in Evendale, provides an outdoor classroom to
connect visitors with topics including history, food systems, life science and geology. Social Venture
Partners supported Gorman Heritage Farm with developing their mission and vision, strategic planning,
leadership development, marketing and fundraising.
“Social Venture Partners are truly partners and friends to Gorman Heritage Farm and many
other local non-profits. SVP certainly helped the Farm advance to the next level in both the
operation and management needs so it was finally able to function as an effective nonprofit
organization. The commitment of the SVP members is an invaluable tool and enduring legacy
helping small non-profits to thrive and grow.”
Chris Schuermann, Executive Director, Gorman Heritage Farm
Social Venture Partners – What we do
2013 Graduate
www.imagoearth.org
Imago’s mission is to foster a deeper harmony with Earth by providing educational experiences, creating
opportunities for discussion and community building, and conserving natural areas. As a grassroots,
environmental education organization located in the Price Hill neighborhood, Imago has been modeling and
educating about living in concert with the natural world for over 30 years. Throughout its history, Imago has
featured innovative programs and solutions designed to reconnect people and the planet. Imago’s Earth Center
preserves 23 acres, including an urban forest. Social Venture Partners supported Imago with planning and
programming, marketing, board development, strategic planning and fundraising.
“Imago was in an exciting, but turbulent transition. Organizationally, we had been doing amazing work, but we
were looking to reach a new level, one that had more impact and stability. SVP was crucial in guiding us to that
next place. Thanks to SVP's thoughtful and hands-on consultation, we have been able to reach new heights
and expand our impact. We are still in this exciting process, and it's thanks to SVP that it's been so fruitful.”
Chris Clements, Executive Director, Imago
Social Venture Partners – What we do
2014 Graduate
www.whole-again.org
Whole Again focuses on the nutritional, physical fitness, and academic needs of children from lower-income
families. Whole Again provides meals, educational and recreational enrichment programming for 1,500
underserved youth and their families annually. Their Summer Food and Enrichment Program was
established to improve the overall quality of life for our area’s children at 29 sites. Social Venture Partners
supported Whole Again with leadership development, financial management, strategic planning and
marketing.
“You don’t feel like someone is coming in to take over your organization and try to make you into something
they think you should be. They listen and try to understand who we are and what we do. SVP comes in to
really be a partner with our organization. So it fits their name. They’re partners with one another and they’re
partners with us as a nonprofit, which is really good.”
Pastor Chandler, President and CEO, Whole Again
Social Venture Partners – What we do
2016 Graduate
http://www.familynurture.org/
Family Nurturing Center is a non-profit social service agency located in Northern Kentucky and Hamilton
County, OH dedicated to ending the cycle of child abuse by promoting individual well-being and healthy family
relationships. Our services and programs focus on the education, prevention, and treatment of all forms of child
abuse and neglect. Social Venture Partners supported Family Nurturing Center in the areas of risk
assessment/management, Marketing and Communications, Board structure and governance, HR and
computerizing visitation program database.
“Family Nurturing Center is so grateful for the partnership with SVP. We had an amazing three year journey, in
which we accomplished many things together. SVP members made personal contributions of time, talent and
even additional financial resources. Our primary liaisons, Paul Gelter and Michael Ratterman are absolutely
extraordinary to work with, and every single partner that we called on responded generously and
enthusiastically! The contributions and impact of SVP will last long after the formal collaboration ends – we’ve
made lifetime friends and advocates.”
Jane Herms, Executive Director, Family Nurturing Center
Social Venture Partners – What we do
Current Investee
www.lawnlife.org
Lawn Life provides disconnected youth with an opportunity to gain real work experience and transferable
skills in landscaping and home renovation. The young men and women are empowered by the
responsibilities and results of earning a fair wage for their work. Lawn Life provides under-resourced
communities with detailed landscapes at reasonable prices with excellent service in a professional way.
Social Venture Partners is supporting Lawn Life with financial management, leadership development, human
resources, marketing and research.
“I have been very impressed with the work of Social Venture Partners. In a very short time, SVP has made
an incredible impact in Greater Cincinnati by investing in innovative solutions to pressing problems facing
today’s society. We are excited about the $20,000 annual grant, but we are even more excited about the
intellectual capital that SVP invests. We are honored to be selected and excited to see how much impact we
can have over our next three years of partnership.”
Tim Arnold, Founder and Executive Director, Lawn Life