San Diego Social Venture Partners: Engaged Philanthropy
2008 Application Information
Aging and the Elderly in San Diego
Request for Investment Proposals
San Diego Social Venture Partners has sent this request for proposal (RFP) to a select group of not for profit agencies and organizations providing services to the elderly in the San Diego community. Through this document, we hope to gather the information we need to choose how to invest our money, time, talent and other resources to successfully address critical needs of the elderly in our county.
We look forward to your submission!
Due Date:
Please send your Request for Investment Proposal by February 29th to:
Peggy Kidd, Executive Director, San Diego Social Venture Partners at peggy@sdsvp.org
For more information:
For a description of SDSVP, our investment process and criteria, and the skills and resources we offer to nonprofit organizations, please read the following sections:
If you have questions about the items in this RFP, please contact:
Note: Email is preferred.
About SDSVP
Established in 2001, San Diego Social Venture Partners (SDSVP) is a unique organization of successful individuals who invest in innovative non-profits in the greater San Diego community (our “Investees”). Our objective is to accelerate and ensure positive social change in San Diego by developing the organizational capacity and sustainability of each Investee.
SDSVP provides not only funds but also time, talent, connections, and other resources, engaging as a consultative partner with each Investee. Such capacity building support often takes an extended commitment of time, and SDSVP commits to a three-year investment of money and Partner time and talent to each Investee, provided mutually agreed performance targets are achieved.
Each year SDSVP picks a new sector to support. In 2008, we will provide financial and organizational support for two non-profits working to improve the quality of life of elderly residents in the San Diego community.
SDSVP is affiliated with The San Diego Foundation and Social Venture Partners International (SVPI). SVPI is an international network of over 1800 partners in 24 cities who have given more than 23 million dollars in cash (and six times that amount in the value of time and talent) to over 250 nonprofits.
SDSVP Investment Process
Each year SDSVP invests in a different sector of need in San Diego county. The goal is to partner with organizations who are best able to leverage funds and Partner involvement to substantially address the need and, if possible, create sector change.
Our process utilizes teams of Partners to research, review, select, and assist each Investee. The Investment Working Group (IWG) researches and selects Investees, a chief liaison (“Lead Partner”) and individual Resource Teams assist and collaborate with Investees throughout the next three years of the investment, and our Portfolio Working Group (PWG) oversees all investments made and monitors progress made on each Investee’s annual performance targets. Our process of investment is similar to the following in any given year:
- 3rd Quarter: Research needs and effective solutions in the sector, such as Aging and the Elderly in San Diego
- 4th Quarter: Encourage nonprofits to submit letters of interest (LOIs)
- 1st Quarter: Request presentations and requests for investment proposals (RFPs)
- 1st Quarter: Visit potential investees (Site Visits) to learn, perform due diligence, discuss challenges, answer questions and discuss mutual obligations, and in general seek to enable each party to gauge the potential for successful collaboration.
- March: Select two investees and mutually sign memorandums of understanding (MOUs)
- March: Provide orientation for new Investees and new Lead Partners who are primarily responsible to create and ensure a trusting, respectful partnership
- April: Assist each Investee with an internal Capacity Assessment, comprising a self-evaluation of core operational areas within the organization
- May: Mutually prepare and sign an Annual Plan which provides mutual commitment to achieve performance targets in both organizational capacity and also programs and services
- July: Release first quarterly funds
- Each quarter thereafter: Review accomplishment of performance targets, including interim milestones, seek additional ways to meet Investee needs, and release quarterly funds, contingent upon collaborative progress achieved
- Each year thereafter: Mutually prepare and sign a new Annual Plan
SDSVP Investment Criteria
SDSVP invests in only those organizations that are open to and can benefit from a “hands on” collaboration that includes volunteer involvement by SDSVP Partners. We look for organizations committed to visionary change and organizational growth, and which are able to establish and achieve measurable results.
Our financial commitment to such an organization (an “Investee”) is typically $90,000, distributed over the three year funding cycle. SDSVP Partners also provide a range of hands-on talent and professional skills. This in-kind volunteer support has been estimated to equal $300,000 to $600,000 over the three years of partnership with each of our Investees.
Potential Investees must have 501(c) (3) IRS tax-exempt status or other nonprofit status and be located within and currently operating services or programs in San Diego County. An organization can submit only one proposal per funding cycle. Proposals may include projects or services that are collaborative with other organizations and/or government agencies.
SDSVP uses a team process to select our Investees. The team will usually ask questions such as the following about each investment opportunity:
| Leadership |
- Is the Executive Director or Project Leader passionate and driven to change and grow the organization?
- Is the organization scalable and does it have adequate, professional management personnel?
- Is the organization appropriate for SVP involvement and influence?
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Size
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- Is the organization large enough to absorb what SVP offers?
- Is it small enough for SVP to make a meaningful impact?
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Organizational Independence
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- Is it a 501c3?
- Is it independent of any parent organization?
- Is it able to adopt structural changes, such as a shift in strategy or board composition, without significant interference?
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Geographic Focus
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- Is the organization focused completely within San Diego County?
- Is all or only a portion of the county served?
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Target Population
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- Is the organization completely focused on serving the SVP target population established for that year's particular investment cycle?
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Outcomes
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- Is the submitted proposal focused on capacity building with SVP involvement?
- Are outcomes measurable?
- Is a return on social investment measurable?
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Innovation and Impact
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- How great is the overall impact on the sector from this organization?
- How many needs are addressed? How important are these needs?
- How many individuals will be served?
- How much change can be leveraged? How scalable are the programs and services?
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Organizations will not be selected that consider SDSVP as merely a source of funding as opposed to a true entrepreneurial partnership opportunity. SDSVP invests in an organization committed to achieve measurable results in organizational capacity and programs. Hence, SDSVP will generally not fund or invest in:
- Individuals
- Endowments
- For-profit organizations
- Organizations outside San Diego County
- Religious organizations for sectarian purposes
- Organizations that discriminate on the basis of race, sexual orientation, gender, age,
marital status, national origin, or physical ability.
Also, SDSVP will not “make grants” for or invest in:
- Capital campaigns
- Land acquisition
- Short-term or one time events including conferences, performances or productions
- Scholarships
- Research
- Political activities intended to influence legislation or support candidates for political offices
- Litigation or legal expenses
- Re-granting dollars to other nonprofit organizations
- Travel outside the San Diego region
- Existing obligations or debt
SDSVP Organizational Support Teams: Our "Resource Teams"
SDSVP has several volunteer teams to serve not only Investees, but also other nonprofit organizations who request assistance. These Resource Teams are comprised of Partners who have expertise or interest in areas critical to building core capabilities within a nonprofit organization (“capacity building”). Lead Partners may call upon these Resource Teams to assist their Investee in the following six areas:
- Strategic Planning
- Board Development
- Finance & Accountability
- Fund Development
- Information Technology
- Marketing
Strategic Planning
Members of this team offer assistance in developing and implementing strategic planning and goal setting:
- Review and reframing of mission and vision
- Assessment of needs and operational processes
- Development of outcomes, performance targets, and milestones
- Allocation of resources
Board Development and Governance
Members of this team offer assistance in serving on not-for-profit boards and expertise in making boards more effective:
- Review of size, composition, and structure of current board
- Assistance with recruitment of new board members
- Review of by-laws & legal compliance
Finance and Accountability
This team will review, develop recommendations, and assist in the implementation of required solutions in finance and accounting:
- Review and design of general ledger
- Review and design of budgeting process
- Review and design of internal controls and accounting processes, including managing
restricted and non-restricted funds
- Establishment of banking relationships
- Recommendation of cash management systems
Fund Development
This team offers assistance in all aspects of non-profit fundraising systems:
- Funding sustainability
- Fundraising infrastructure
- Fund development planning and evaluation
- Revenue generation
Information Technology
This team offers assistance with computer technology, software applications, and telephone systems:
- Hardware and networks
- Websites
- Training
- Oversight and management of systems
Marketing/Public Relations
This team offers assistance in all aspects of marketing:
- Branding and positioning
- Market research
- Communication and collateral
- Public relations and media buying
- Public affairs
Additional Information
Download Form: Request for Investment Proposals
Download: Guide to Outcome Planning
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