Media Contact: Cara Lewis, Communications Manager, SVPI
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Social Venture Partners Presents Leadership Award to Jerry Hirsch

Paul Shoemaker Leadership Award Honors Individuals Committed to Meeting the Needs of Community through Engaged Philanthropy

SEATTLE (November 18, 2008) – Social Venture Partners International (SVPI) presented the 2008 Paul Shoemaker Leadership Award to Jerry Hirsh at SVPI’s annual conference in Cleveland last month. Named in honor of the Founding President of Social Venture Partners International, the award honors an individual who has consistently demonstrated commitment to strengthening the Social Venture Partners network via engaged philanthropy and nonprofit capacity building.

Social Venture Partners is an international network of accomplished individuals who combine their professional skills and financial contributions with a passion for philanthropy. The SVP network is comprised of affiliates and organizations located throughout the United States, Canada and Japan. Jerry Hirsch founded Social Venture Partners Arizona and helped grow the organization from 33 founding members to more than 130 members today.

“Jerry has provided exemplary leadership to SVP Arizona, serving as the first board chair and building the SVP community over the years,” said Ruth Jones, Executive Director, Executive Director for Social Venture Partners International. “Jerry’s involvement helped shape the organization, but most importantly, he continues to encourage new leadership, ideas, and the importance of strategic philanthropy.”

“Jerry’s extraordinary generosity, vision and leadership, coupled with wise stewardship, stand as a beacon to our community,” said Terri Wogan, Executive Director for SVP Arizona. “We believe he deserves this award but it is truly us who are honored with his friendship, through his example, and by his steadfast dedication to promoting the highest ideals of engaged philanthropy.”

Jerry Hirsh is the founder and former Chairman of Social Venture Partners Arizona. A long time Phoenix resident, Jerry began his professional career in the aerospace industry, then became a practicing attorney and then became involved in commercial real estate development and other entrepreneurial activities.  Since 1995, Jerry has spent most of his time in philanthropic pursuits, primarily through his foundation, The Lodestar Foundation which works to encourage philanthropy, public service and volunteerism. He is also a strong advocate for collaboration among non-profits working in the same area in order to increase efficiency and eliminate duplication of efforts.

Jerry is married with seven children and five grandchildren.  He has an undergraduate degree from Temple University and a law degree from Arizona State University.  He enjoys poetry, running, adventure travel and trying to improve the world.

For more information on Social Venture Partners, 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 Japan. To learn about starting an SVP affiliate in your city or for more information on Social Venture Partners, please visit www.svpi.org.

About Social Venture Partners Arizona
Social Venture Partners Arizona (SVPAZ) develops philanthropy and volunteerism for the purpose of positive social change in Greater Phoenix. Using the venture capital approach – contributing expertise, time and money – we are committed to creating partnerships that build successful and sustainable nonprofit organizations in Maricopa County, Arizona. To learn more about SVP Arizona, please visit www.svpaz.org.

About The Paul Shoemaker Leadership Award
Paul Shoemaker is Executive Director of Social Venture Partners Seattle and Founding President of Social Venture Partners International. The leadership award honors an individual who has consistently demonstrated commitment to strengthening the Social Venture Partners network via engaged philanthropy and nonprofit capacity building. To learn more about Paul Shoemaker or SVP Seattle, please visit www.svpseattle.org.