2022 Annual Partner Survey Results
Short on time? Check out our brief presentation of the survey results.
Every year, we ask Partners for their feedback through our Annual Partner Survey. In 2022, 33 Partners shared their thoughts about their engagement, offered opinions about our communications, and highlighted their most meaningful and proud SVP moments.
What’s the best part of being a Partner?
“Working directly with Community Partners to help them implement important organizational capabilities that enables them to realize their vision. Seeing the tangible impact of the work is gratifying.”
The opportunity to engage as a Partner, either internally or with Community Partners (70%) is the primary reason Partners join SVP, and it directly aligns with the top reason they will continue investing (73%). Our venture philanthropy model of collective giving and leveraged investing is also a strong motivator (67%) for both joining and renewing.
What is the most meaningful experience you’ve had as a Partner?
“Helping Community Partners to grow”
Most Partners (87%) are satisfied with their level of engagement. A significant number (28%) express that they would like to contribute more, but there are not enough opportunities for their areas of expertise. We clearly need to do a better job creatively exploring how we might use all Partners' expertise.
What impact are you most proud of or inspired by?
“The overall strategy to address systemic problems... And the sincere attempts to walk the talk vis-à-vis shifting the power paradigm”
Our equity commitment and diversity, equity, and inclusion work continues to be a reason people join (52%) and renew (52%). Also noteworthy is a passion for our focus on early childhood impact with 48% joining because of it and 58% renewing due to it. With this in mind, it should come as no surprise that 88% of Partners feel that the Partnership resonates with their overall sense of purpose. Moreover, 85% say it gives them an opportunity to create meaningful interpersonal relationships, and 70% feel like a part of a community where they belong. Significantly, 79% of Partners say that their involvement allows them to be more strategic with their philanthropic giving -- an 11% increase over 2021.
What impact are you most proud of or inspired by?
“Passing Preschool for All, and SVP's leadership in educating the Partnership about diversity, equity and inclusion”
Continued feedback indicates that bringing friends and business into the Partnership remains a challenge, but 66% said they would be interested in referring. Last year 39% of Partners said they don't believe friends and colleagues have the resources (time or money) to be an SVP Partner, and this year the number was similar (37%). We hope that our revised Partnership model will eliminate barriers for those who want to join. We encourage Partners to continue communicating with people in their networks about the opportunities for community impact our Partnership offers.
What is the most meaningful experience you’ve had as a Partner?
“Connecting with others from different backgrounds to address the same issues”
This year we saw an increase in Partners who see our social media posts on LinkedIn and Instagram, as well as a steady number of Partners who read our newsletters and visit our webpage. Based on feedback from last year, we made strides to improve our communications – for example, we have a new website!
What’s the best part of being a Partner?
“Friendships I've built and connections I've made. Being part of a community involved in local PDX impact.”
There were several areas of increased interest for engagement, including attending social and learning events and working directly with Community Partners. Check out our events page on our website for upcoming events, or sign up for our newsletter to stay in the loop! For other engagement opportunities, email Carolina or Ursula.
Many thanks to the Partners who participated in the survey and continue to help us improve.
