Grants Information Session

Spring 2009

BC Social Venture Partners1. Who we are2. Overall Mission3. Grant Making Goals4. Key Operating Principle: Sustainability5. Key Guidelines6. Decision Process

BC SVP: Who We Are

Individuals and their families

BC Business Leaders

Venture philanthropists

BC SVP: Overall Mission• What is venture philanthropy?

– Makes time + money ‘investment’ in nonprofits– seeks entrepreneurial leaders, innovative approaches to social

problems, leverage of other assets

• How is this done ?– individuals pool funds– group jointly decides on projects to fund and support

BC SVP: Grant-making Goals• To increase sustainability of Grantee organizations

• To effectively engage Partners in helping Grantees increase sustainability

• Current areas of support:

– Women at risk– Children & youth– Social Enterprise

Key Operating Principle: Sustainability

Emphasized throughout the Grantee/SVP partnership

By the end of a three-year investment cycle, the enterprise or project should:

• Demonstrate improved strength in one or more capacity parameters • Have developed a replacement for SVP's funding• Have built enduring relationships with one or more SV Partners and/or

other high capacity volunteers.

Key Guidelines Grants of time + money are for program and/or

capacity building

Grants are generally $30,000 annually for up to 3 years

Grantees must annually re-qualify, by making satisfactory progress toward stated goals

Sustainability must be clearly defined and discussed in goals throughout the granting relationship

Decision Process1. 2-page letter of inquiry

2. Grants team assesses letters and selects 4 – 6 to develop full funding proposals

3. Teams of two Partners work with one nonprofit to help them develop a full funding proposal

4. Groups present proposals in person to full partnership on May 28, 2009

5. All Partners vote on finalist

Decision ProcessBasic Scoring Criteria

– Social Impact– Fit with SVP– Orientation to Sustainability– Ability to Collaborate– Commitment to Outcomes

Decision ProcessSocial Impact:• How do you bring about positive change in the people who make

use of your organization's services?• How do you assess the value of this change to them and their

community?• Is there relevant research in your area that will support your

statements about urgency of need or effectiveness of program?• Are you still small but you have an idea that could increase the

numbers you reach and help and/or deepen the effect of your approach?

• Can you succinctly demonstrate knowledge of the particular social problem you are addressing

Decision ProcessFit with SVP:• What are your capacity-building goals?• What areas of expertise does your organization need?• Can you describe how you will make use of SVP volunteers in a

way that relates to the above needs?• Is the point person who will be working with SVP confident with high

capacity individuals?• How will SVP’s involvement make a difference to the success of the

project (as compared to money only) ?

Decision ProcessOrientation to Sustainability: Has your board discussed increasing your organization’s

sustainability? Did specific goals & actionable items result? Have you already sought outside sources of expertise and/or

funding to help you address this issue? What is your longer term (three-year) vision for your organization? What aspects of its programs and operations would you most like to

have not only preserved but also strengthened, in three years time? What are your three-year goals for the project for which you are

seeking support? How will you support it beyond three years?

Decision ProcessAbility to Collaborate:

You collaborate with others working on the same social issue Your group is tapped into relevant community networks Your group attracts & makes effective use of volunteers Your organization is committed to sustainable results Your proposal outlines clear milestones & measurable

outcomes

Decision ProcessReasons your letter may not be chosen:

• Unclear need or not compelling • Does not need substantive involvement by volunteers• Does not demonstrate an understanding of what SVP is trying

to do or how to leverage SVP• Too much vision and not enough detail about how and what• Too much to do; underestimate challenges• Not financially feasible• Inconsistency with mission (yours or SVP's)

Thank You!