SVPI Welcomes Waterloo Region to the World’s Largest Network of Individual Philanthropists

SVP Waterloo Region is 4^th Canadian Member to Join Social Venture Partners

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                                                 

Media Contact:
Cara Lewis, Communications Manager
Social Venture Partners International
(919) 481-9151 / cara@svpi.org
 

SEATTLE (November 25, 2010) – Social Venture Partners International (SVPI) announced today that SVP Waterloo Region is the latest member to join the Social Venture Partners movement in contemporary philanthropy.

“We are delighted to welcome Waterloo Region into the Social Venture Partners network,” says Ruth Jones, Chief Executive Officer, Social Venture Partners International. “Waterloo Region is our 26th member and our fourth Canadian member, joining organizations in Calgary, British Columbia, and Toronto. Today, the SVP network is made up of 2,000 philanthropists who are transforming communities throughout North America and Japan.”

Founding partners Tim Jackson and Jacqui Murphy launched SVP Waterloo Region earlier this year with the support of SVPI and The Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation. Jackson and Murphy are partners at venture capital firm, Tech Capital Partners. Known globally for its high tech industry, Waterloo Region is home to global leading technology businesses like Research in Motion (RIM), Christie Digital and Open Text. SVP Waterloo Region believes the area is also rich with budding philanthropists.

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 increase the effectiveness and reach of local nonprofits, which in turn helps those organizations better serve their communities.

“For more than 150 years, our region has had a tradition of neighbours helping neighbours,” explains Tim Jackson, SVP Waterloo Region co-founder. “As our community evolves, the hands-on philanthropic approach of SVP seems like an obvious extension of our culture of ‘barnraising.’ Our goal is to bring together members of our community who realize that collectively we can do much more than we can as individuals.”

In addition to pooling resources and expertise, SVP Waterloo Region’s other mission is to educate new philanthropists to be informed, effective, and engaged.

“Engagement is fundamental to the SVP model,” explains Ruth Jones. “SVP partners give 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 $37 million (USD) in grant investments to more than 400 nonprofit organizations. Last year, SVP partners gave more than 13,000 hours of volunteer time for strategic projects ranging from Program Evaluation to Legal Affairs to Information Technology.

“There’s a groundswell of people in our region who care deeply about our community, want to get involved, and want to see the direct impact of their giving,” said Jacqui Murphy, co-founder of SVP Waterloo Region. “SVP will provide a way for partners to really see the difference we’re making. We will learn about our community’s issues and needs, we will have a say in where our money goes, and we will learn about giving strategically for bigger impact.”

For more information about the SVP Waterloo Region, please contact Jennifer King, Executive Director, at jennifer@svpwr.org.


About Social Venture Partners Waterloo Region

SVP Waterloo Region is a network of community-minded individuals who combine financial contributions and professional skills with a passion for philanthropy. Leveraging collective expertise and resources, SVP Waterloo Region partners with and strengthens promising non-profits.

About Social Venture Partners International

Social Venture Partners is an international network comprised of 2,000 accomplished, dedicated individuals who combine their professional skills and financial contributions with a passion for philanthropy. Affiliation with the SVP Network is made possible by Social Venture Partners International (SVPI), a non-profit membership association that supports SVP organizations in 26 cities throughout Canada, the United States, and Tokyo. For more information on Social Venture Partners, please visit www.svpi.org.