Board of Directors Update
The Times They are a-Changin’
Bob Dylan (1964)
The world is changing at a dizzyingly rapid clip. Hopeful breakthroughs in technology and social and environmental awareness are met with equally powerful fears, anxiety, and resentments. No one, for better or worse, is spared.
The philanthropic world faces a choice. Where will it stand in these times of wonder and concern? How will philanthropy contribute its collective resources, intelligence, compassion, and respect to support the legions of courageous social enterprises as they struggle daily to do what is good, right, and important? How can philanthropy rise to meet the occasion?
SVP Portland recognizes this moment and the responsibility that it demands. At the Board level, we are simultaneously frustrated, hopeful, and committed. We must raise our sights and commit once again to go beyond our comfort zone – just as we did a decade ago – and redouble the pursuit of our “access to preschool” aspirations.
SVP must push to our fullest potential in our commitment to Portland, its future, and the children wherein lie our best hope. We need to help even more Portland area kids gain access to preschool, faster and more broadly, while we also develop and scale philanthropic approaches that power-up community leaders. We must do this while embracing authentic social & racial justice practices within & across our SVP Portland network. Our unique combination of Partners’ expertise, networks, investment and influence will remain at the heart of our work.
How can SVP Portland step up our community impact? What’s needed to build our capacity to deliver & sustain this intervention? What are the key elements of the Implementation Plan?
These tough questions have been addressed by a series of committed Dynamic Teams, made up of talented Partners, Staff and community leaders. They’ve built in new approaches to SVP advocacy & influence, a reframed strategic vision still focused on preschool education, while centering social and racial justice and influencing new approaches to philanthropy.
Our most recent New Business Model Dynamic Team and SVP Staff proposed an ambitious plan to achieve our Strategic Plan goals. It was recently supported by all SVP Directors, and embraces ongoing input and engagement of Partners and Community Partners.
The primary thrust of the plan amounts to:
1. Investing available cash reserves to build the infrastructure and attract resources we need to scale our impact by 3-5x in 3-5 years
2. Broadening our community impact investment considerations from non-profits to include for-profits that are partners in the change we're creating
3. Innovating scalable programs that build capacity across our growing community partner network
4. Demonstrating that SVP Portland is not just a local leader, but influencing national changes in philanthropy
5. Continuing to iterate our partnership model to enable SVP to be more inclusive and welcoming to a broader base of local leaders and social investors
Big and ambitious changes, YES. But demanded by the times & the environment in which we live and work. The choice is ours: Accept the challenge and commit to being a part of the breakthrough outcomes our children and communities need… or be satisfied with safer, smaller outcomes and dwindling relevance.
We’ve chosen to be bold, innovative, and accept our responsibility as part of the collective solution for changing times. We are as hopeful and committed as we’ve ever been that we can make a bigger difference.
Come with us, please. And please contact Lauren or anyone on the Board if you have any questions or suggestions.
