2023 Call for Applications for SVP Funding and Partnership
Who Should Apply:
Social Venture Partners (SVP) seeks to invest financial resources and professional thought partnership/ expertise in high-impact nonprofit organizations/initiatives that are addressing social and economic inequality in Mecklenburg County.
The New SVP Investee(s) will receive:
- A yearlong engagement of volunteer professional support to work in partnership with the organization to strengthen the organization’s effectiveness and ability to fulfill its mission.
- An unrestricted cash grant up to $20,000 for capacity building.
- An annual opportunity to renew for up to three years.
SVP’s Philosophy and Approach:
We are a group of experienced, skilled professionals applying a highly engaged approach to philanthropy. SVP invests through venture philanthropy, a model of giving where its members not only provide grants, but also invest their collective expertise and time to extend the reach and improve the success of high potential, growth-minded nonprofits.
To help strengthen the nonprofits with whom we partner, SVP combines our grants with volunteers who can provide strategic counsel. Examples of Partner engagement include, but are not limited to assistance with:
- strategic and business planning
- research and program design
- leadership development
- marketing and communications
- finance and revenue development
- board development and governance
- human resources
- outcomes measurement and program evaluation
- legal
- Over time, our Investees and Partners develop a mutually beneficial partnership. Our Investees gain from the valuable expertise, guidance, and mentorship of our Partners while our Partners gain rich insight into community issues and the nonprofit sector.
Guiding Principles for SVP Investment:
SVP seeks to partner with nonprofit organizations that will benefit from a long-term relationship with SVP, including hands-on and strategic engagement with individual members.
While all our investments are unique, our experience suggests that there are common themes to a successful SVP investment. In 2024, the nonprofit we will invest in will meet the following criteria:
- Be a registered 501c3 organization in the greater Charlotte Region
- Address an important social issue that will work to alleviate social and economic inequality.
- Have at least 1 paid full time staff member
- Have strong leadership and successful programs or well-formed programmatic plans.
- Have an annual operating budget of $500,000 or below and find SVP’s investment to be significant.
- Committed to incorporating SVP expertise and volunteer support.
- Have commitment and full support from their engaged Board of Directors
- Be committed to improving performance and outcomes measurement.
How to Apply:
Please click APPLY below to submit a Letter of Interest (LOI). There, you will create an account and complete the application form. You can save your progress and make changes until you hit the “submit” button. You will receive an email notification once we have received your application.