An SVP Innovation for Scaling

We have a new initiative in the works and we’re excited to tell you about it! Our innovative Scaling Cohort is a project that responds to the question: What would it look like if SVP Portland could double or triple our capacity for impact? In our current model, we focus on Community Partners independently, investing our Partners’ time and expertise in each organization over an extended period, which significantly limits our reach. 

With the Scaling Cohort project, we’re exploring a model that would create cohorts of preschool providers who are in a similar stage of growth, so that we can leverage Partner engagement to support multiple organizations at once. Another advantage of this model is that the cohort members will benefit from the relationships they foster, as well as mutual learning from one another. 

We’re planning to engage preschool providers that want to grow significantly to serve more children, and are interested in utilizing the power of the group to do so. There will be both educational and networking components, including modules on leadership, finance, HR, management, and IT. At the end of the cohort, each of the participants will each choose a project to focus on with the support of a Partner that builds a foundation for growth. They will also receive a program completion grant.

We received funding from Meyer Memorial Trust to explore the details of how a model like this would work. We have completed community needs assessment interviews with providers as well as research on best-practices and various cohort models across the US. We’re currently in the design phase, informed by our extensive research. Kevin Quinn is the Lead Partner for the Scaling Cohort team, and he’s supported by Encore Fellow Scott Overson and SVP staff. 

The team is working on getting feedback from preschool providers who want to scale about what would be most helpful in terms of duration, format, and content. They’re also connecting with other organizations who have run cohorts in the past in order to land on the most effective structure for the project. If you have any thoughts to share, or if you might be interested in cohort design or facilitation, please reach out to Kevin at kevinq@svpportland.org to learn more about ways to engage. We’re only able to achieve the impact that we do through our Partner Power!