The Case for Human Capital

Venture philanthropys greatest - and most underutilized - asset

The SVP Model

2,400 people in 29 cities Pooled funds: Participants choose issue area Participants undertake due diligence and choose non-profits Cash grant and capacity-building support 3-5 year engagement In 15 years, USD46 million to 500+ non-profits Hundreds of thousands of volunteer hours

Time + Talent + Money = IMPACT

In more than 25 years with the YMCA, Ive worked with funders on more than 180 grants. In all of these relationships I have never experienced the kind of transformational support that SVP has provided.
Jennifer Parker, SVP Seattle investee

 We have to permanently expand our definition of philanthropy to include human and social capital, to go beyond, far BEYOND financial capital. I never much liked that venture philanthropy tag, it just didnt capture this expansive potential of human and social capital. This is NOT a nice-to-have or yada yada. Human and social capital in the first half of this century are increasingly the difference makers, creating the inflection points for real social change, because we have the know-how and often the financial capital.
Paul Shoemaker, White House Forum on Philanthropy Innovation, Sept. 20, 2012

The necessary ingredients:

Educating donors and volunteers

Understanding the issues

Assuring the right fit Due diligence and choosing the right nonprofit Assessing the organizational capacity of the nonprofit Clear goals and plan Building a relationship of trust Humility is a key ingredient Signing on for the long haul
We wont cut and run when the going gets tough Yes, we really mean that!

Asking how we are doing

A closer look at the SVP FIT

1. Choose carefully
2. Does the organization have a vision?

3. Does it have the internal capacity to engage with you?

4. Is it willing to embrace a partnership with skilled volunteers/consultants? 5. Does the nonprofit have programs which already show success or show promise?

Organizational Capacity Assessment Tool (OCAT)

Self-guided assessment in the following areas:

Mission Vision, Strategy and Planning Program Design and Evaluation Human Resources CEO/ED/Senior Management Team Leadership

Information Technology Financial Management Fund Development Board Leadership Legal Affairs Marketing, Communications and External Relations

Most significant change

Everyone has been fabulous. The breadth of knowledge, willingness to help [our organization] achieve its goals and seek out additional resources and genuine caring and commitment to our mission has been nothing short of amazing. 2010 Survey Participant

The expertise we have gained and the relationships built have been more valuable than the dollars granted. 2010 Survey Participant

Case study: Genesys Works

Changing the life trajectory for underprivileged high school students
Genesys Works Mission To enable economically-disadvantaged high school students to enter and thrive in the economic mainstream by providing them with the knowledge and work experience required to succeed as professionals. 2002: A great idea, a team of volunteers, 10 students, one corporate client, one town (Houston) Rafael Alvarez 2012: 650 students annually, operating in Houston, Minneapolis/St Paul, Chicago, with more than 100 corporate clients. 2013: Expanding to San Francisco other cities in the pipeline

The Power of the Network

Nonprofit capacity building

Building a strong foundation

Philanthropy development

Educating individuals to be effective, engaged donors and volunteers

Jeff Tollefson

Catalyzing great ideas Putting the power of the network to work

Ruth Jones Social Venture Partners International www.svpi.org e: ruth@svpi.org T: +1 206 728 7872 skype: ruth.jones2