Blog
SVP Portland Exercises Its “Magic” in the Time of COVID-19
Our capacity building work continues throughout the COVID-19 crisis, and with renewed importance and urgency. Director of Community Impact, Rose Rezai, shares how SVP Partners are focusing efforts on what is already working well, and also sharpening our tools to be of greater service to the emerging community needs.
Partners Provide Support for Child Care Businesses
During these challenging times, it is neighbor helping neighbor that uplifts our spirits and makes Oregon communities stronger. A group of Partners from SVP Portland, working in collaboration with early childhood advocates, has done just that, helping Oregon's struggling child care providers with the creation of the Oregon Child Care Provider Relief Guide.
SVP Portland Helps Community Partners Secure $3.3M in Federal Funds
We are living in unprecedented times. The twin crises of COVID-19 and an economic recession will have short- and long-term ramifications for our community. Fortunately, SVP Portland was able to quickly form a team of Partners to help nonprofits navigate the complicated landscape of economic relief, including securing Paycheck Protection Program funding. Noel Johnson, Lead Partner, shares about the team’s work.
How Communities Are Leading The Way With Effective Solutions
As the world collectively navigates the shock and pain of a "new normal" fueled by the uncertainty and grief of the COVID-19 pandemic, SVP Portland is looking to resilient communities here in Oregon, to lead the way into the future.
Who Will Keep the Lights On? Equity, Philanthropy & COVID-19
SVP Partner Larry Fox reflects on the need to philanthropy to address inequities, highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic. "We, as leaders in philanthropy, now face an opportunity to name these disparities, and leverage our power and resources to mitigate them. We must collectively work toward a future in which the color of your skin, or zip code in which you are born, does not predict your life path."
Meet Our Newest Community Partner: Portland Children’s Museum
Through this new partnership, SVP will help Portland Children's Museum expand its capacity to become part of the solution for ensuring that all children in the Portland metro area have access to high-quality, culturally-responsive, and affordable preschool.
SVP Portland Responds to Community Needs
We are living in unprecedented times. COVID-19 is creating an evolving situation with short- and long-term ramifications for our community. Circumstances are rapidly changing and, fortunately, SVP is a highly nimble, responsive, and collaborative organization. Our proximity to leaders on the front lines serving children and families in need uniquely positions us as a trusted resource to help them navigate this crisis.
Center for Equity & Inclusion and SVP Partnership
SVP launched a unique partnership with the Center for Equity and Inclusion (CEI) in 2019, and we are excited to build upon accomplishments we’ve made over the past year, through newly established goals for continued impact in 2020.
Partner of the Month: Linda Weston
SVP Portland brings together professionals and organizations in partnership to address community challenges. Our Partners are leaders in their fields (strategy, marketing, IT, finance HR). One such Partner who brings her remarkable expertise to the Partnership is Linda Weston. We are proud to recognize Linda as April’s Partner of the Month!
The Leaders Among Us
SVP Partner Larry Fox explains why the Lead Partner role is the linchpin of success. Lead Partners are the primary contact with our Community Partners. Their job is to bring together a team of Partners to create mutually-shared goals with the Community Partner, to ensure that resource needs are communicated to SVP staff, to monitor progress, and to suggest adjustments as necessary… but the role is so much more.
SVP Portland's Executive Director Update: March 2020
On February 25, Partners gathered to learn about and discuss our 2019 impact and 2020 strategy. In case you missed it, here is a recap of the conversation. You can also read more about our 2019 impact in our Year in Review, listen to the Partnership Meeting, or see the presentation.
Where Are They Now: Children’s Book Bank
In honor of our 20th anniversary, we are taking a look back at our past investments to see where they are now. When we first partnered with The Children’s Book Bank (CBB) in 2014, they were a five-year-old organization dedicated to closing the “book gap” that exists between low-income neighborhoods and middle- and upper-income communities. From 2014 to 2017, over ten SVP Partners and four Encore Fellows engaged with CBB to build their organizational capacity.
Partner of the Month: Kelly Starkey
Over the years, SVP Portland has prided itself on bringing together changemakers and leaders with diverse skills, experiences, and networks. One Partner who has invested her unique expertise in marketing, engaged her terrific network, and served as an incredible champion is Kelly Starkey, so we are proud to recognize her as our March Partner of the Month.
2019 Year in Review
We had a historic year of impact in 2019, from scaling Latino Network’s Juntos Aprendemos early learning program state-wide and passage of the $20M Equity Fund, to publication of the Preschool for All initiative’s comprehensive plan and significantly strengthening SVP’s own capacity.Read our Year in Review for a full look at the what else our Partnership accomplished!
Partner of the Month: Ron Eiseman
Ron Eiseman has been a highly engaged Partner of SVP Portland since 2014. He served as co-Lead Partner* for Children’s Book Bank (CBB) from 2014-2018, bringing his finance and real estate acumen to help the organization both deepen and expand its impact in a sustainable way. His investment in CBB’s success grew when he joined their Board of Directors in 2014.
Reinvesting in the Preschool for All Initiative
We are proud to support Phase II of the Preschool for All initiative by investing an additional $5,000, along with the expertise and influence of our Partnership. SVP Partners are engaging in coalition building, finance strategy, early childhood program development, real estate, and campaign support.
Celebrating Dramatic Growth through True Partnership
The most significant partnerships are those where we are able to have a consistent presence and grow together. Nowhere is this better displayed than in our collaboration with Latino Network. Join us for happy hour on January 29th to learn more about our partnership with Latino Network and their plans for scaling Juntos moving forward!
CAIRO: SVP's Investment in an Innovative Preschool
Research shows that Somali immigrants children have some of the highest disparities in academic success. Most prominently, Somali children are impacted by the stark cultural differences in the approach to formal education. Enter CAIRO’s Preschool Promise program.
Partner of the Month: David Smith
SVP Portland is kicking off 2020 by honoring David Smith as Partner of the Month. David has been deeply engaged since joining our Partnership, most recently on SVP’s internal Development Team where he is helping expand our Business Partnerships.
SVP Portland’s Executive Director Update: Dec. 2019
As 2019 comes to a close, I am incredibly grateful, proud, and optimistic. In this quarterly update to the SVP Portland Partnership I share why, and invite you to do the same. Thank you for the many ways you give to SVP Portland. Our collective investment to ensure all children have access to quality early learning really matters for the future of Portland.