When Bad Things Happen to Good Investees: The Shadow Project Adapts to These Economic Times

(from the September 2009 Newsletter)

Even with the best-laid plans, external events can intervene - creating new problems and new opportunities. Such is the case with our Investee The Shadow Project, which helps students with learning and intellectual disabilities build confidence and become engaged in learning.

SVP Portland invested in The Shadow Project two years ago with the goal of expanding and replicating a program with proven success. During the first two years, we implemented a new inventory management system for Shadow’s incentive warehouse, sponsored and participated in a marketing video, increased the number of students served by 40%, expanded into the Hillsboro school district, and held several work parties with SVPP Partners. For Year Three, we planned to focus on creating a replication tool kit to further expand its program, which now has requests from 25 additional communities.

Then the economy turned and The Shadow Project’s funding from other sources became less certain. The Shadow Project is now concentrating on strengthening its internal operations and income flow, positioning itself for growth in the future.

This is the kind of challenge where the talents and energies of SVPP Partners can really make a difference.

During our 2009 renewal cycle, we designated $10,000 of The Shadow Project’s $30,000 renewal grant to hire a development consultant to help build long-term financial stability. Over the next several months we’re working with Shadow to help develop the organization’s Board by identifying the skills and resources needed for this more challenging financial environment. And SVPP Partners will help develop a new strategic plan to help lay out goals and a roadmap to achieve them.

We can use your help! We’re forming a strategic planning team now and hope to complete our plan before the end of November. We can also use Partners who’d like to work on developing Shadow’s Board of Directors.