Tucson's Social Venture Partners Announces 2008 Investments in Local Nonprofits

Nov. 12, 2008 - PRLog -- Social Venture Partners Greater Tucson (SVP) is pleased to announce its newest social investment in Make Way for Books. Make Way for Books will receive $75,000 for capacity-building over three years. In addition, it will receive significant time and expertise from SVP Partners in the areas of planning, marketing and communications, information technology, human resources, financial management, fund development, board and staff leadership development, program design and evaluation, and legal affairs. Last year alone, SVP Partners contributed more than 700 hours of pro bono capacity-building services to two nonprofits.

Part of an international network of engaged philanthropists, SVP uses a venture capital model to affect positive social change.  According to SVP Board Chair and Founding Partner Mark Fisher, “SVP invests in innovative nonprofit organizations and uses a high-engagement model that pools the financial, professional and human resources of our Partners to achieve long-term community impact.”

Last year, in its first “investment” cycle, the Partners selected Voices: Community Stories Past and Present, a journalism internship program for at risk high-school youth, and Literacy Volunteers of Tucson, which focuses on the need of adults at the lowest literacy levels, each to receive $75,000 over three years. Both organizations were approved for a second year of funding.

According to Investment Committee Chair and Founding Partner Peter Spear, “SVP selected community literacy as its investment focus because it is an area where the SVP model can have a significant impact. With the addition of Make Way for Books to our investment portfolio, we are proud to be funding literacy across the spectrum.”

Make Way for Books readies young children from 0-5 years old living in limited resource areas for success in school by providing brand new books to child care centers, training parents and childcare providers in how to read to children, and instilling a love of reading.

Says Fisher, “In these tough economic times, SVP is a great investment. Five-thousand-dollar private investments (contributions) are pooled and carefully allocated to community needs. Investors can help direct the money, take a hands-on role with investees, and network with others who similarly want the maximum return on their investments.”

For further information about SVP or the Investment Process, please visit our website, www.svpgt.org, or contact Stephanie Sklar at 520-622-8476.