Blog
Celebrating five years of partnership with NAYA
The Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA) is at the heart of Portland’s Native American community, comprised of more than 40,000 Native American/Alaska Native people. As SVP and NAYA wrap up our five-year partnership, both organizations can look back and reflect on the mutual growth experienced as a result.
Partner of The Month: Chris Nelson
We are ushering in November by shining a spotlight on our Partner of the Month, Chris Nelson! Co-founder of Capstone Partners, Chris has developed some landmark real estate projects that have influenced neighborhood revival and livability. He brings the same passion to his philanthropic endeavors, through SVP and other community organizations.
Meet Our Newest Community Partner: CAIRO
Social Venture Partners is proud to announce our most recent investment in the Center for African Immigrants and Refugees Organization (CAIRO)! CAIRO’s focuses on breaking down the barriers to success for Portland’s African immigrant children and families, including preschool programming that prepares their children for success on their first day of kindergarten and beyond. This investment will primarily tap into SVP Partner expertise to clarify and build CAIRO’s organizational strategy and leadership.
PRESCHOOL FOR ALL - SVP’s Partnership with Multnomah County
Unfortunately, while more than 7,000 children in Multnomah County qualify for public preschool programs, only four out of 10 get the chance to attend, due to limited space and funding. For a community, that bodes a dismal future. For the children, it’s a tragedy of lost potential and repeats the cycle of poverty.
Moving Forward! Early Childhood Updates
As we move into the last quarter of the year, exciting things are happening in our early childhood community! Read on to find out more and join our movement see these advances add up to lasting change in our Make a Bigger Difference Campaign!
Partner of the Month: Teresa Gonczy O’Rourke
As kids head back to class and we approach the end of the year, we are excited to bestow October’s Partner of the Month on Teresa Gonczy O’Rourke. An early childhood specialist, Teresa has not only brought her expertise to SVP’s Community Partners (aka “Investees”), she and her husband are expecting their own little early childhood project due this winter!
Encore Fellows Spotlight: Molly Olson
Molly Olson recently retired from Intel with over 35 years leading strategic programs and managing technical design and operations teams in the semiconductor and electrical equipment industries. She is a certified New Ventures leadership coach and focuses her consulting and coaching on strategic planning, implementation planning, program management and leadership development.
Meet Barb Wood, Encore Fellows Engagement Lead
After twenty-five years in nonprofit leadership and management, plus extensive education in human development, Barb’s innate curiosity about people and their lives makes her a perfect fit for the “Matchmaker” position with the Encore Fellows Program. She came to this position having first applied to be a Fellow herself.
Pull Up a Chair...Early Childhood Updates
As capacity builders, SVP is known for being a leader behind the public leader. This is why we have been invited to seats at early childhood decision-making tables, where we play a role in driving a cohesive strategy and alignment in. Together, across sectors, we are building the capacity of our community to ensure that all children have access to high quality, culturally relevant early learning experiences. Please read on for a snapshot of important conversations in which SVP is participating at the State and local levels.
Embracing Equity: Carlo's Story
Carlo Delumpa is an SVP Partner, Board of Director, and he chairs our Equity Committee. He is a strong advocate of our work in advancing racial equity and capacity building, and has been an SVP Partner since 2012. Below is his "equity journey" story.
Proving and Improving Our Impact
We are effective at accelerating growth and building the capacity of nonprofits that we partner with. The results show that we are effective because of the following key elements:
Bolder and Brighter: New Faces With a New Vision for Portland
On Friday, June 15, our Partnership convened with Portland Public Schools Superintendent, Guadalupe Guerrero; and Oregon’s Early Learning Council Chair, Sue Miller, for an armchair discussion surrounding Portland’s progressive vision for education in Portland, and how that will take place in the years to come. John Branam, SVP Investor Partner and Board Member moderated. Here’s what we took away:
