Together We Succeed

Written by Mark Fulop, Lead Partner at former SVP Investee, Reading Results.

As part of Social Venture Partners' 15-year anniversary there is a lot of reminiscing going on about past investees. More than once I have heard a fellow Partner say, “I remember when we funded the Portland Reading Foundation, how are they doing?” Yes, back in the day, Reading Results was, indeed, the Portland Reading Foundation, a small scrappy nonprofit with a big idea and a tenacity to move from a founder-led organization to a more established nonprofit. Serving 11 schools and about 60 kids, Social Venture Partners took the risk and in October 2009 funded the investment. I was fortunate enough to be the Lead Partner on the investment and have been engaged in the organization ever since.

Six and a half years later, the organization, now Reading Results (thanks to the work of SVP Partner Jenn Bader), has served 1,100 children, placing them on the path for academic and future success. Over 100 paid, parent tutors that have made up the Reading Results team over the years have provided 66,300 tutoring sessions at 20 partner elementary schools.As an organization, Reading Results has an ambitious plan to double our service level by the 2018/2019 school year helping 750 students learn to read. Indeed, I could tell you about Liam E. a 3rd grader who, after spending time with his Reading Results tutor, goes home and teaches his 1st grade brother the things he is learning.