What changes do you want to see in your community? What role will you play in that change and how will you make it happen?
Answers to these questions are unique to each individual who joins Social Venture Partners Waterloo Region (SVPWR), but there is a common desire to make a positive impact - and a bigger impact than one person could alone.
SVP is a global network of local individuals that is focused on tackling Waterloo Region's social challenges, particularly around child and youth development. Going beyond traditional philanthropy, partners donate their talent, time and funds to amplify the impact they have on each vetted charity in which the partnership invests. In turn, partners realize rewarding benefits from their relationships with local non-profits and each other, resulting in shared learning and increased giving of both time and money.
"What we do has similarities to what happens here at the Accelerator Centre," said Jennifer King, Executive Director at SVPWR. "We carefully select local non-profits like Strong Start and Woolwich Counselling Centre that show promise to grow their impact. Then we surround them with support for at least three years. That support includes the guidance of talented partners with backgrounds in finance, marketing, governance, planning, and human resources. Because of that support, we are able to leverage approximately $4 for every $1 granted from SVP."
"Strengthening non-profits with this hands-on approach in turn helps develop more effective philanthropists - one of our key reasons for being. Many tech leaders and employees in Waterloo Region are signing up to be SVPWR partners because they are passionate about making a difference in their community, and the SVP model is a progressive way for them to increase their impact while having fun with like-minded individuals."
Located in the Accelerator Centre, SVPWR has realized many benefits through the connections it has made with companies, such as iNotForProfit, Marmot Labs and Organimi. SVPWR's residency also has a positive effect on Accelerator Centre Clients by raising the awareness and interest in the community and giving back.
"Our work with Accelerator Centre companies has allowed us to implement their technology to help make us more efficient with our giving," commented King. "For example, we have a smartphone app so you can easily get all the latest news and information about SVPWR, and we use decision-making software to support and simplify our grant-making process."
For more information about SVPWR or to become a partner, visit www.svpwr.org. Multiple options exist for becoming a SVPWR partner, including a new Associate Partner level aimed at individuals 35 years of age or younger. You can also follow them on Twitter @SVPWR, like them on Facebook and download their mobile app for BlackBerry, Android and iOS.