FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact: Cara Lewis, Communications Manager, SVPI
(206) 450-0987 / cara@svpi.org

SEATTLE (October 28, 2008) – Social Venture Partners International (SVPI) announced its latest outcome results associated with overall satisfaction from nonprofit organizations funded by SVP in the United States and Canada. The 2008 Capacity Building Report measures how effective SVP affiliates are in helping nonprofit organizations build capacity. The report also tracks perceived value added by SVP partners.

A key finding from the 2008 Capacity Building Report is that nonprofit organizations funded by SVP gave an overall rating of 4.8 out of 5.0 when asked to rate the value of Partner time and talent in helping an organization build its capacity.

SVP “Partners” are individuals who combine financial contributions and professional skills with a passion for philanthropy. By leveraging their collective expertise and resources, SVP Partners work to build the capacity of local nonprofits, which in turn helps those organizations better serve their communities. Today, there are 25 SVP organizations and more than 2,000 SVP Partners throughout North America and Japan.

“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 Ruth Jones, Executive Director for Social Venture Partners International. “SVP affiliates do this by providing multi-year financial and human resource commitments to local nonprofits organizations. And SVP Partners participate in philanthropy development programs and activities designed to help them learn more about philanthropy and guide them in how to best address the needs of their community.”

Fundamental to the SVP model is engagement. Partners give of their time, professional experience and creativity to work in partnership with nonprofits and local leaders. Since its formation in 1997, the Social Venture Partners network has contributed more than $26.5 million in grant investments to more than 300 nonprofit organizations. In 2008, SVP partners gave more than 14,000 hours of volunteer time for strategic projects ranging from Program Evaluation to Legal Affairs to Information Technology.

The two capacity building areas in which nonprofit organizations reported receiving the most value from SVP partners were Mission, Vision, Strategy and Planning assistance and Leadership and Executive Management Team Development. The quality of interactions between nonprofit organizations and SVP partners was also evaluated, specifically Approachability, Responsiveness, and Knowledge: all were rated 4.5 or above out of a possible 5.0.

For more information on Social Venture Partners or the SVPI 2008 Capacity Building Support, please contact Social Venture Partners International at www.svpi.org or (206) 728-7872.

About Social Venture Partners International

Social Venture Partners International (SVPI) is the membership association for Social Venture Partners – an international network comprised of more than 2,000 accomplished individuals who combine their professional skills and financial contributions with a passion for philanthropy. Partners belong to local SVP affiliates and SVPI supports each affiliate by providing technology, professional development, an annual conference and peer networking opportunities designed to share knowledge and promote best practices throughout the network. The Social Venture Partners network currently has 24 affiliates located throughout the United States, Canada and Tokyo. To learn about starting an SVP affiliate in your city or for more information on Social Venture Partners, please visit www.svpi.org.

About the SVPI 2008 Capacity Building Report

Social Venture Partners International commissioned this report of collective survey findings to further serve as a resource for SVP affiliates. The 13 affiliates that participated in the survey were Arizona, British Columbia, Boulder County, Calgary, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, Pittsburgh,Portland, Rhode Island, San Diego and Seattle.