A Season of Partnership and Progress: Reflections from the Executive Director
Dear SVP Community,
As we navigate a particularly complex, uncertain, and volatile period, at least in recent history, I am filled with a profound sense of gratitude for the partnerships I witness at SVP: truly powerful connections, even between unlikely allies. I see our Community Partners inviting SVP Investor Partners to get even closer as they courageously and creatively adapt to a rapidly changing environment, and I see Investor Partners asking, “What else is needed in this moment?” - then following that curiosity with genuine listening as well as the pursuit of resources requested. This is hope in action.
The first few months of 2025 have been vibrant, marked by meaningful milestones and deepened relationships. Here are a few highlights, thanks to your unwavering support:
Celebrating Growth with our Scaling Cohort
In February, we held a joyful Graduation Ceremony to recognize the preschools in our 2024-25 “Ready to Grow” Cohort, who completed what they shared was a “transformative journey” with SVP. It was inspiring to see these outstanding leaders share their stories and future plans for expansion. Building on this success, we are excited to announce Ready to Grow 2.0, launching in August 2025. It will incorporate key learnings from the pilot and continue helping established preschools grow their reach.
Onboarding 6 New Community Partners
We’ve begun a new and intentional approach to partnership: investing in multiple Community Partners at once. By bringing in organizations together, we’re aligning support, encouraging peer connection, and strengthening collective capacity. Our recent Meet & Greet offered space for SVP Partners to share their visions and needs, setting the stage for meaningful collaboration. Each of these organizations brings powerful expertise and deep community roots, and we’re excited to walk alongside them as they grow their impact.
Launching Building Together 2025
In response to common barriers our Lead Partners observed among Community Partners, we launched a new series designed to foster resilience, collective strength, and shared solutions. Early sessions, facilitated by SVP Partners, surfaced key challenges. We’re now moving beyond identifying problems to setting priorities and developing an action plan that SVP can help champion.
Celebrating a Legacy with Latino Network at La Plaza Esperanza
One of the most moving moments this spring was joining Latino Network to celebrate the opening of La Plaza Esperanza, a new early childhood education and family support center in East Portland. This milestone represents more than a decade of deep partnership between SVP and Latino Network. As I shared at the event, it’s a beautiful example of what’s possible when people invest their hearts, minds, and resources over time. This long-term partnership helped scale Latino Network’s impact and contributed to making Preschool for All a reality in Multnomah County. La Plaza Esperanza stands as a powerful symbol of what trust-based partnership and shared vision can achieve.
Strengthening Our Leadership
In April, we were pleased to welcome Rob Aslett to SVP Portland’s Board of Directors. A committed Investor Partner since 2020, Rob has served on our Strategy Dynamic Team and as Lead Partner for CAIRO. His deep expertise and belief in our venture philanthropy model will be a tremendous asset as we continue growing our community impact. In June, Rob was elected Board President, and we are thrilled to have his leadership in this role. We are also deeply grateful to Bob Tate, who served as Board President over the past few years with dedication, thoughtfulness, and a steady vision for SVP’s future.
Connecting as a Community
It’s been inspiring to see our SVP community stay engaged and connected. Recent SVP Happy Hours were filled with new connections, thought-provoking conversations, and laughter. These gatherings remind us that progress moves at the pace of trust—and it’s through relationships that we strengthen our shared commitment to a more just, equitable future for our community’s kids.
These early months of 2025 highlight the tangible impact we’re creating together. As a network of skilled professionals and values-driven philanthropists, we are helping Community Partners build capacity, scale impact, and ensure more underserved children attend preschool.
Your continued support is what makes this work possible. Your generosity fuels strong partnerships, drives innovation, and helps build a more inclusive, compassionate future for our kids.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Lauren Johnson
Executive Director, SVP Portland
