SEATTLE  (May 27, 2008) – Social Venture Partners International (SVPI) announced its latest numbers associated with organizational growth and grantmaking. Based on an affiliate network data report prepared by Social Market Strategies, LLC, the Social Venture Partners network contributed more than $26.5 million in grant investments to more than 300 nonprofit organizations since its formation in 1997.

“The SVP network is growing and giving with gusto!” says Ruth Jones, Executive Director at Social Venture Partners International. “Five new affiliates have joined the network in the last 18 months and we’ve seen a 14 percent increase in total partners (member) between 2006 and 2007. These numbers support our belief that the Social Venture Partners model is not just working,” adds Jones” but that the SVP model is appealing to both budding and seasoned philanthropists.”

The SVP model of philanthropy was created in 1997 in Seattle, Washington by Paul Brainerd, Aldus Corporation founder and president and founding members Scott Oki, Ida Cole, Bill Neukom and Doug and Maggie Walker. Their goal was to create a philanthropic community that borrowed from venture capital practices in which participants, i.e. Partners, made strategic and effective investments of time, money and professional expertise in local nonprofit organizations.

As interest in this new approach to philanthropy grew, Social Venture Partners organizations modeled on SVP Seattle began developing throughout North America.  By 2001, a loose network had formed, and Social Venture Partners International (SVPI) was created to support and advance this network. Today SVPI supports 25 member organizations in the United States, Canada and Tokyo, with more than 1,900 partners (members). 

Fundamental to the SVP model is engagement in which members give of their time, professional experience and creativity to work in partnership with nonprofits and local leaders to meet community needs.

“A key differentiator for SVP as a grantmaker is that we are committed to strengthening and supporting the long-term capacity of a nonprofit organization to fulfill its mission,” explains Paul Shoemaker, Executive Director for SVP Seattle. “We make multi-year financial and human resource commitments and we educate our partners about philanthropy and how to best address the needs in the community. In short, Social Venture Partners is not about funding short-term projects or programs – we know it takes more than that for an organization to thrive.”

Media Contact: Cara Lewis, Communications Manager, SVPI
cara@svpi.org / (206) 728-7872