Blog
Your Annual Partners Meeting
Thank you to everybody who attended the Annual Partners Meeting on October 19th. We really appreciate your dedication to our collective goal: ensuring that every child in Multnomah County is ready for kindergarten. It was an opportunity to mingle with Partners, Investee leaders, and community members to discuss collective impact, the state of early childhood education, and philanthropy.
Wendy Weissman, Board Chair’s Award for Passion and Service 2017
At the Annual Partners Meeting on October 19th, Wendy Weissman was named the Board Chair’s Award for Passion and Service recipient. Wendy has been a dedicated member of the SVP community and has been Lead of Leads (the Lead Partner-in-charge for our investments) for multiple years. She’s gone above and beyond in her commitment to our mission and our goals, and we’re thrilled to be honoring her this year.
Mack Stallcup, Encore Fellow for Portland Children’s Museum
In June of 2016, Mack Stallcup began his Encore Fellowship at the Portland Children’s Museum as a Scientist in Residence. He interviewed with four other nonprofits for his Fellowship but knew the Children’s Museum was the right fit as soon as he walked in the door.
Partner of the Month: Abby Hazlett
With Project Impact, Abby uses her analytical mind to conduct interviews with former and current Investees and pull out key findings and themes to identify the effect our capacity building model has on the people and organizations we work with. We are so inspired by the enthusiasm and commitment Abby brings to the table as a Partner, and as a philanthropist.
Pushing Forward with Latino Network
Because of the significant progress we’ve seen with our investment in Latino Network, we have decided to re-invest with them over a two-year period. This investment will total $80,000 and the volunteer talent that our brilliant Partnership provides.
IRCO Programs Help Families Thrive
IRCO impacts families in a real, tangible way; preparing and priming the children in the immigrant community for success in their school years. Read about Anna, a single mother and Latina immigrant, and her son Oscar; and how IRCO has helped them to thrive.
Moving onwards and upwards with BPI
We have formally renewed our Partnership with BPI, and in the coming year we will have broader and deeper outcome data, so we will be better prepared to expand and share knowledge with others serving Black families in the community.
Speaking up for our Investees: CEO Mark Holloway in the Portland Business Journal
This week, our CEO Mark Holloway wrote a piece for the Portland Business Journal: an open letter encouraging Portland Public Schools' new Superintendent, Guadalupe Guerrero, to invest in Portland's underserved children. All of our children deserve equal footing at the starting line, and organizations like KairosPDX fight for that equality.
Fearless Philanthropy and You: Takeaways from our Wine Soiree
What is fearless philanthropy, and how do we do it? Last week, this topic brought together Partners, staff, and community members as we shared how fearless philanthropy lives at the intersection of your best decision, what makes your heart break, and knowing you are accomplishing good.
Building Bridges in the SVP Network
It’s always special to be connected across geography with people who share your sense of possibility for change, action orientation and commitment to venture philanthropy. We were invited to speak at their Summer Social Series focused on Collective Impact along with the incredible Janet Austin, CEO of the local YWCA.
Community Impact Spotlight: Metropolitan Family Service
Metropolitan Family Service (MFS) mission is to help people move beyond the limitations of poverty and inequity by delivering proven programs to help people succeed at home, at school, and in the community.
Lead Partner Perspective: Cory Mathews of Community Education Workers
Cory Mathews serves as Lead Partner for our investment in the Community Education Workers (CEW) program. We invested in CEW in 2014 to support early parent-child learning in a community-driven, culturally specific way.
Make Philanthropy a Family Value with SVP Youth
The goal with SVPY remains the same today as when we launched the program four years ago: helping our youth learn more about philanthropy through volunteering, fundraising, and involvement.
Our First Estate Gift
Jerry Jones was a longtime Partner, sharp businessman, and dedicated philanthropist. For those that knew him, Jerry set an inspiring standard for honesty, forthrightness, and integrity. He and his family are a true gift to the SVP legacy.
Partner of the Month: James Zuiches
We are humbled and in deep gratitude for Jim’s commitment to SVP, and proud to acknowledge him as Partner of the Month. He shows up as a learner and comes to every SVP experience with a critical mind and open heart. Jim is proof that with SVP, you get what you put into your experience.
Board Member Charlie Gilkey
As we begin to refine our brand purpose and organizational direction, we’re especially grateful to have Charlie Gilkey join our board.
Get your Threads from Kairos!
Our Investee, KairosPDX, has just launched their clothing brand: Kairos Threads! KairosPDX children have designed t-shirts to sell to the community that capture their art and their voices, and spread positivity.
Partner Kevin Phaup receives 2017 Microsoft Alumni Inspired Leaders Award
Kevin Phaup has been recognized by the Microsoft Alumni Network as one of 2017’s Inspired Leaders. The Inspired Leader Program honors alumni who go above and beyond with their personal commitment to causes they are passionate about.
Encore Fellow and Board Member Ken Harris Interviewed by KGW TV
Last night, we got to see our very own Ken Harris on KGW, sharing his Encore story with Tracy Barry of KGW and all of Portland. Ken has been associated with SVP for 3 years, and began his journey as an Encore Fellow working in finance with the Boys and Girls Club.
Community Impact Spotlight: Juntos Aprendemos’ Relentless Focus Delivers Big Results
Latino Network's early childhood program, Juntos Aprendemos, is a shining beacon for Latino families that represents hope, security, and empowerment. Learn how our investment with Latino Network has supported their operating budget growth from $1.3 million to $8.3 million in just three years.