History

The original Social Venture Partners was founded in Seattle in 1997 and was the inspiration of former Aldus Corporation president Paul Brainard. The vision of the founders, mostly technology industry leaders, was to build a new type of philanthropic organization using a venture capital model. Through collaboration they believed they could make a bigger impact. The donors – Partners – would not only contribute financially, but would offer their time and expertise to build long-term partnerships with nonprofit organizations – Investees.

The San Diego Social Venture Partners affiliate was organized in 2001 by local like-minded philanthropists led by Darcy Bingham and Carrie Stone. SDSVP began as a field of interest fund of The San Diego Foundation and in 2010, became an independent 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. With an initial group of 15, we are now 130 partners strong and growing, dedicated to achieving long term social change.