Frequently asked question Nº3

Question: How does Social Venture Partners differ from a typical foundation?

Answer:

Unlike most foundations that are funded by a single person or family, SVP is a philanthropic organization comprised of individuals, many from the high-technology community, who plan to achieve a greater impact than they could individually. SVP seeks to leverage the collaborative impact of Partners (investors) working in small, entrepreneurial teams to make grant decisions and create in-depth, long-term partnerships (typically 3 or more years) with non-profits in the San Diego region. In addition, Partners combine the investment of financial resources with their business skills and expertise to support the mission and help build the organizational capacity and infrastructure of its non-profit investees.

In addition to working with non-profits, SVP also provides seminars, workshops, and resources to its Partners to help them further develop their personal philanthropic objectives. This "curriculum" of Partner Education provides in-depth information about philanthropic planning, community involvement, social entrepreneurism, and important local and regional issues.