(From the December 2005 Newsletter)
Governor Kitzhaber Talks to SVPP About the Nation's Health Care System
"Resolving the crisis in our health care system requires the courage to move beyond simply defending programs and antiquated structures to a critical examination of the outdated operating system which both shapes and constrains the way in which we finance and deliver health care in America today". These were a few of the points former Governor John Kitzhaber made to SVPP partners and guests at the quarterly partner meeting held at Oregon Food Bank on November 16, 2005. Governor Kitzhaber is a national leader engaged in a wide variety of health care issues including long-term care, resource allocation and uncompensated care.
"Rising medical costs eat into corporate margins, reduce the capacity of firms to grow and compromise competitiveness in the global economy. They slow the rate of job growth, suppress wage increases for existing workers and foster labor disputes and lost productivity". Governor Kitzhaber said there is no larger problem facing our country today than the U.S. health care system and its dependence on forty year old demographics.
The speech was stimulating and thought-provoking, and generated a number of insightful questions from the audience.
Dean of PSU College of Urban and Public Affairs Speaks to SVPP
As part of SVPP's continuing education and work with community leaders, Dr. Lawrence Wallack spoke to partners and guests at the September 15, 2005 Partner Meeting. From 1999 to 2004 he was Professor and Director, School of Community Health, at PSU. He is also Emeritus Professor of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley . Dr. Wallack has many awards to his credit and is the author of numerous books and articles on the Media and Public Health.
His topic for this talk was "Going Upstream". He described the state of health in our country and compared it to others and outlined the gap between the haves and have-nots and the impact on our society. "Social inequality is not only bad for health, it is bad for the education system, bad for civic participation, bad for democracy, bad for the very things that we need to be a successful society". Greed, Amatai Etzioni the sociologist has said, "may be good for the economy, but it is bad for the society".
Dr. Wallack used stories to illustrate how we must make progress and laid out four points to fundamentally get ahead of problems and tap a deeper spiritual connection -- how to develop an "upstream vision". The talk was very well received and a lively question and answer session followed.
Social Venture Partners Portland gets Tax Exempt Status
Since SVPP's beginning in 2001, the Oregon Community Foundation has been SVPP's fiduciary agent receiving contributions and donations on behalf of SVPP as a Donor Advised Fund. This worked very well and SVPP is grateful for OCF's support over the years. With the organization's growth came the need for greater financial independence and flexibility than community foundations can normally accomodate. In March of 2005, with the help of board member David Smith and partner Joel Kaplan, a partner with Foster, Pepper, Tooze, SVPP filed the appropriate documents with the Department of Treasury. The approval came in early November and SVPP has officially received 501(c)(3) status. New procedures for receiving donations will be completed by the end of the year. Until then, any grants and donations to SVPP during this quarter need to go through OCF as usual. The new policies and procedures will be communicated in the beginning of the year.
The SVP Network Meets in Phoenix for Annual Meeting
Every year SVPI organizes a conference that allows all the SVP affiliates (there are 23 in North America) to get together for three days to discuss a wide variety of topics of common interest. This year the conference was held in Phoenix, AZ, from October 27th through October 29th and five representatives from SVPP were in attendance. Among the many topics covered were the organization's direction, recruiting, on-line tools for membership tracking and internal communications, and recognition of significant projects from the SVP network. The program also included two excellent keynote speakers with extensive direct philanthropic experience: Bill Gates Sr., head of The Gates Foundation and Jerry Hirsch, founder of SVP Arizona and The Lodestar Foundation. Both speakers delivered very effective summaries of their efforts which had a strong motivational effect on the participants to continue to pursue their philanthropic goals.
SVPP Survey Results
In September, SVPP conducted a brief survey to get partner feedback on their SVPP experience. Here is a brief summary of the results:
• Philanthropy is primary motivation for joining SVPP
• Volunteering opportunities are second most important reason
• People enjoy the partners and think networking is important
• E-mail communication is effective for newsletters, announcements, etc.
The survey also highlighted the need to make volunteering simpler. Many said volunteerism is as important as our investments. Many also said "you get out of an organization such as SVPP exactly what you put in".
Thanks to all the partners that participated in the recent survey.
From Our Investees - Second Kids Cafe Now Open & CASH in the News
(From the December 2005 Newsletter)
Second Kids Café Now Open
In an effort to take a bite out of hunger in Portland, one dozen local businesses and foundations including SVPP have contributed more than $200,000 in monetary support, services and equipment to open the Kids Café eatery at the Blazers Boys and Girls Club in Northeast Portland. The facility celebrated its grand opening in late September and now feeds hungry children in Northeast Portland.
Kids Café is a children's food program designed to reduce child hunger and educate children about nutrition and exercise. The Blazers Club Kids Café provides after-school meals to as many as four hundred children a day. For many kids, these are the only full meals they receive in the day.
A Kids Café at the Wattles Boys and Girls Club in southeast Portland opened in July 2004, and a third Kids Café at the Hillsboro Boys and Girls Club is scheduled to open in 2006, at such time as additional funding has been secured.
CASH in the News
The November 7th edition of The Oregonian had an article that highlighted the impact that CASH can have in the community citing a specific example of an individual who was able to buy a home after learning that she could file for Earned Income Tax Credit from the federal government. It is estimated that $33 million in annual Earned Income Tax Credits are going unclaimed in Multnomah, Clackamas and Washington counties. Around Oregon, the number is more like $75 million a year. Quoting Jim Harper, Executive Director of CASH, "that's a lot of money to leave on the table." CASH's mission is to put more money into the hands of people who need it. But it also intends to teach low-income people how to repair their credit, build a savings account and develop better spending habits, so they don't have to depend on car title or payday-loan offers, which tend to have extremely high interest rates.
From Our Investees - SVPP 2005 Investments Under Way
(From the December 2005 Newsletter)
CASH (Creating Assets, Savings, and Hope) - CASH seeks to help low-income families take advantage of state and federal income tax credits and build solid financial futures through savings, credit repair and financial literacy programs. SVPP's objective is to evolve the current loosely-organized Oregon Tax Credit Coalition into a self-sustaining organization with professional staff and strong community and government support.
Accomplishments:
- Executive Director hired and on-board as of August ‘05.
- A "Pilot" tax preparation session was held on November 5th, over 20 returns were filed for low-income families and over $25K in refunds were secured. Tax and financial counseling was also provided.
- One "super site" was secured for tax preparations in Q1 '06, several others sites are under discussion.
- Two grants were secured for over $100K and several others are pending for program funding.
If you have any questions or are interested in volunteering, please contact the CASH project leader Joel Kaplan.
PEP (Parental Engagement Program) - PEP is focused on creating a sustainable partnership model to improve elementary school performance at low-income schools through collaboration of businesses, community groups, parents and school leaders. SVPP's objective is to provide funding and volunteer power to build a strong community of engaged parents at the Kelly and Clark elementary schools of SE Portland.
Accomplishments:
- The PEP Coordinator at Kelly Elementary was hired and she has begun building relationships with parents with very positive results. The Kelly School Advisory Board has been formed and the first meeting was held in late November.
- The first Parents as Partners for Reading Excellence workshop was held at Clark Elementary. The Clark School Advisory Board met for the first time in November.
CASH (Creating Assets, Savings, and Hope) - CASH seeks to help low-income families take advantage of state and federal income tax credits and build solid financial futures through savings, credit repair and financial literacy programs. SVPP's objective is to evolve the current loosely-organized Oregon Tax Credit Coalition into a self-sustaining organization with professional staff and strong community and government support.
Accomplishments:
- Executive Director hired and on-board as of August ‘05.
- A "Pilot" tax preparation session was held on November 5th, over 20 returns were filed for low-income families and over $25K in refunds were secured. Tax and financial counseling was also provided.
- One "super site" was secured for tax preparations in Q1 '06, several others sites are under discussion.
- Two grants were secured for over $100K and several others are pending for program funding.
If you have any questions or are interested in volunteering, please contact the CASH project leader Joel Kaplan.
PEP (Parental Engagement Program) - PEP is focused on creating a sustainable partnership model to improve elementary school performance at low-income schools through collaboration of businesses, community groups, parents and school leaders. SVPP's objective is to provide funding and volunteer power to build a strong community of engaged parents at the Kelly and Clark elementary schools of SE Portland.
Accomplishments:
- The PEP Coordinator at Kelly Elementary was hired and she has begun building relationships with parents with very positive results. The Kelly School Advisory Board has been formed and the first meeting was held in late November.
- The first Parents as Partners for Reading Excellence workshop was held at Clark Elementary. The Clark School Advisory Board met for the first time in November.
From Our Investees - SVPP Investments Reaching Graduation
(From the December 2005 Newsletter)
In the period between 2001 and 2003, SVPP funded five programs which have either reached graduation (i.e., completion) or will be graduating soon. SVPP invested $622,000 in these projects but the total impact of these projects is estimated at $3.13 million. These projects include Morrison Child and Family Services, Children's Relief Nursery, Free Clinic of Southwest Washington, Metropolitan Family Service and Kids Café program of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Portland (mid-2006 graduation). SVPP is proud of the achievements made with each organization and they provided our partners excellent opportunities for involvement in worthy projects covering a wide variety of disciplines. This experience to date proves to us that the venture capital model for philanthropy truly works and can have a large impact in our community. Below is the summary of these investments:
Organization (Engagement Period): Direct Investment / Total Impact
Morrison Child and Family Services (Q4 '01 – Q2 '05): $154K / $1.71M
Children's Relief Nursery (Q4 '01 – Q4 '04): $126K / $357K
Free Clinic of SW Washington (Q4 '02 – Q3 '05): $111K / $141K
Metropolitan Family Service (Q1 '03 – Q4 '05): $101K / $283K
Kids Café Engagement Program (Q3 '05 - mid-2006): $130K / $637K
Below is a more detailed summary for each of these investments:
Morrison Child and Family Services
Engagement: Q4 '01 – Q2 ‘05
Lead Partner: Eli Lamb
Mission: Morrison provides a continuum of care for children from infancy through adolescence, including prevention and education, outpatient, day treatment, residential and day care programs.
SVPP Objective: Implement the "Connections for Children" (CFC) project, deployed throughout Morrison, an IT program for client tracking and multi-site communications
Accomplishments:
- Completed transition to new finance system, including implementation of electronic billing (reduced Medicaid cash flow cycle from 8 weeks to 5 days!).
- Completed site upgrades and E-time deployment (saving time, headcount, and dollars).
- Completed school-based services database merge.
Total impact: $1.71M
- SVPP direct financial contribution: $154K
- Donations from partners, friends, etc.: $81K
- Value of volunteer hours: $348K
- Operational impact from SVPP projects: $1.13M
Children's Relief Nursery
Engagement: Q4 '01 – Q4 ‘04
Lead Partner: Laura Finney
Mission: CRN is a community-based child abuse and neglect prevention organization that supports children and families by providing early intervention and family support services to high-risk families.
SVPP Objective: Provide volunteer leadership and support for infrastructure improvements at CRN.
Accomplishments:
- Multiple IT projects supported with funding and/or implementation (accounting system, networking software, website, email, fund raising database, etc.).
- Program managed the move to new facility.
- Active engagement in CRN's development committee.
- Evaluated and recommended client services database software.
Total impact: $357K
- SVPP direct financial contribution: $126K
- Donations from partners, friends, etc.: $81K
- Value of volunteer hours: $50K
- Operational impact from SVPP projects: $100K
Free Clinic of Southwest Washington
Engagement: Q4 '02 – Q3 '05
Lead Partner: Ed Mueller
Mission: The Free Clinic provides free, compassionate, and quality health care to low income and uninsured residents of SW Washington.
SVPP Objective: Improve FC infrastructure and increase the number of children served at the clinics.
Accomplishments:
- Worked with staff and board to complete and ratify the strategic plan.
- Supported BOD on hiring and mentoring EDs, improving board governance.
- Provided over 1500 volunteer hours and in-kind medical supply donations.
- Number of children served grew from 1746 in 2002 to a projected 5800 in 2005, a 3.3X increase versus an original goal of doubling.
Total impact: $141K
- SVPP direct financial contribution: $111K
- Donations from partners, friends, etc.:$8K
- Value of volunteer hours: $22K
Metropolitan Family Service
Engagement: Q1 '03 – Q4 '05
Lead Partner: Rupa Jack
Mission: MFS manages multiple programs focused on building stronger communities by providing services, connecting people with resources, and strengthening families while enhancing their participation in community life.
SVPP Objective: Introduce and enhance Make Parenting a Pleasure (MPAP) program (2003, 2004). Analyze and define database and communications software needs for the future (2005).
Accomplishments:
- 28 MPAP classes conducted, serving 268 parents; measured results demonstrate significant positive outcomes.
- MPAP will continue with support from several non-profit and government agencies.
- Database study nearing completion, intranet and file structure programs now being implemented.
Total impact: $283K
- SVPP direct financial contribution: $101K
- Donations from partners, friends, etc.: $58K
- Value of volunteer hours: $69K
- Operational impact from SVPP projects: $55K
Kids Café Program of Boys and Girls Club of Portland
Engagement: Q4 '03 – mid-2006
Lead Partner: Valerie Ilsley
Mission: The Kids Café program seeks to provide food security and nutritional education for disadvantaged youth at existing Boys and Girls Clubs.
SVPP Objective: As the "lead investor", fund and solicit other "investors" to fund three Kids Café kitchens. Once completed the kitchens will be self sufficient due to ongoing USDA funding.
Accomplishments:
- SVPP has been directly involved in raising $260K from other non-profits and has been the "program manager" for construction of two kitchens.
- Wattles Club (SE Portland) kitchen completed in July '04, is currently feeding 160 kids/day.
- Blazers Club (NE Portland) kitchen completed in September '05, is currently feeding 290 kids/day.
- Hillsboro Club is expected to begin kitchen construction by early/mid ‘06.
Total impact: $637K
- SVPP direct financial contribution: $130K
- SVPP conditional grant for Hillsboro Club: $30K
- Donations from partners and other non-profits: $260K
- Value of volunteer hours: $52K
- USDA Gross Reimbursements to date: $195K
In the period between 2001 and 2003, SVPP funded five programs which have either reached graduation (i.e., completion) or will be graduating soon. SVPP invested $622,000 in these projects but the total impact of these projects is estimated at $3.13 million. These projects include Morrison Child and Family Services, Children's Relief Nursery, Free Clinic of Southwest Washington, Metropolitan Family Service and Kids Café program of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Portland (mid-2006 graduation). SVPP is proud of the achievements made with each organization and they provided our partners excellent opportunities for involvement in worthy projects covering a wide variety of disciplines. This experience to date proves to us that the venture capital model for philanthropy truly works and can have a large impact in our community. Below is the summary of these investments:
Organization (Engagement Period): Direct Investment / Total Impact
Morrison Child and Family Services (Q4 '01 – Q2 '05): $154K / $1.71M
Children's Relief Nursery (Q4 '01 – Q4 '04): $126K / $357K
Free Clinic of SW Washington (Q4 '02 – Q3 '05): $111K / $141K
Metropolitan Family Service (Q1 '03 – Q4 '05): $101K / $283K
Kids Café Engagement Program (Q3 '05 - mid-2006): $130K / $637K
Below is a more detailed summary for each of these investments:
Morrison Child and Family Services
Engagement: Q4 '01 – Q2 ‘05
Lead Partner: Eli Lamb
Mission: Morrison provides a continuum of care for children from infancy through adolescence, including prevention and education, outpatient, day treatment, residential and day care programs.
SVPP Objective: Implement the "Connections for Children" (CFC) project, deployed throughout Morrison, an IT program for client tracking and multi-site communications
Accomplishments:
- Completed transition to new finance system, including implementation of electronic billing (reduced Medicaid cash flow cycle from 8 weeks to 5 days!).
- Completed site upgrades and E-time deployment (saving time, headcount, and dollars).
- Completed school-based services database merge.
Total impact: $1.71M
- SVPP direct financial contribution: $154K
- Donations from partners, friends, etc.: $81K
- Value of volunteer hours: $348K
- Operational impact from SVPP projects: $1.13M
Children's Relief Nursery
Engagement: Q4 '01 – Q4 ‘04
Lead Partner: Laura Finney
Mission: CRN is a community-based child abuse and neglect prevention organization that supports children and families by providing early intervention and family support services to high-risk families.
SVPP Objective: Provide volunteer leadership and support for infrastructure improvements at CRN.
Accomplishments:
- Multiple IT projects supported with funding and/or implementation (accounting system, networking software, website, email, fund raising database, etc.).
- Program managed the move to new facility.
- Active engagement in CRN's development committee.
- Evaluated and recommended client services database software.
Total impact: $357K
- SVPP direct financial contribution: $126K
- Donations from partners, friends, etc.: $81K
- Value of volunteer hours: $50K
- Operational impact from SVPP projects: $100K
Free Clinic of Southwest Washington
Engagement: Q4 '02 – Q3 '05
Lead Partner: Ed Mueller
Mission: The Free Clinic provides free, compassionate, and quality health care to low income and uninsured residents of SW Washington.
SVPP Objective: Improve FC infrastructure and increase the number of children served at the clinics.
Accomplishments:
- Worked with staff and board to complete and ratify the strategic plan.
- Supported BOD on hiring and mentoring EDs, improving board governance.
- Provided over 1500 volunteer hours and in-kind medical supply donations.
- Number of children served grew from 1746 in 2002 to a projected 5800 in 2005, a 3.3X increase versus an original goal of doubling.
Total impact: $141K
- SVPP direct financial contribution: $111K
- Donations from partners, friends, etc.:$8K
- Value of volunteer hours: $22K
Metropolitan Family Service
Engagement: Q1 '03 – Q4 '05
Lead Partner: Rupa Jack
Mission: MFS manages multiple programs focused on building stronger communities by providing services, connecting people with resources, and strengthening families while enhancing their participation in community life.
SVPP Objective: Introduce and enhance Make Parenting a Pleasure (MPAP) program (2003, 2004). Analyze and define database and communications software needs for the future (2005).
Accomplishments:
- 28 MPAP classes conducted, serving 268 parents; measured results demonstrate significant positive outcomes.
- MPAP will continue with support from several non-profit and government agencies.
- Database study nearing completion, intranet and file structure programs now being implemented.
Total impact: $283K
- SVPP direct financial contribution: $101K
- Donations from partners, friends, etc.: $58K
- Value of volunteer hours: $69K
- Operational impact from SVPP projects: $55K
Kids Café Program of Boys and Girls Club of Portland
Engagement: Q4 '03 – mid-2006
Lead Partner: Valerie Ilsley
Mission: The Kids Café program seeks to provide food security and nutritional education for disadvantaged youth at existing Boys and Girls Clubs.
SVPP Objective: As the "lead investor", fund and solicit other "investors" to fund three Kids Café kitchens. Once completed the kitchens will be self sufficient due to ongoing USDA funding.
Accomplishments:
- SVPP has been directly involved in raising $260K from other non-profits and has been the "program manager" for construction of two kitchens.
- Wattles Club (SE Portland) kitchen completed in July '04, is currently feeding 160 kids/day.
- Blazers Club (NE Portland) kitchen completed in September '05, is currently feeding 290 kids/day.
- Hillsboro Club is expected to begin kitchen construction by early/mid ‘06.
Total impact: $637K
- SVPP direct financial contribution: $130K
- SVPP conditional grant for Hillsboro Club: $30K
- Donations from partners and other non-profits: $260K
- Value of volunteer hours: $52K
- USDA Gross Reimbursements to date: $195K
Partner Profile - Eli Lamb
(From the December 2005 Newsletter)
Eli Lamb Receives Community Award
On September 22nd, Founding Partner Eli Lamb received a NW Examiner Community Award for his contributions to SVPP. He accepted the award on behalf of SVPP and explained our model of engaged philanthropy. He quoted General George Marshall to explain our approach: "There is no limit to the good you can do if you don't care who gets the credit". The event was attended by Eli's son and daughter (Emerson and Katie Rose), Val Ilsley, David Sawyer, former mayor Bud Clark and a host of other active citizens committed to making Northwest Portland a wonderful place for everyone.
Eli Lamb Receives Community Award
On September 22nd, Founding Partner Eli Lamb received a NW Examiner Community Award for his contributions to SVPP. He accepted the award on behalf of SVPP and explained our model of engaged philanthropy. He quoted General George Marshall to explain our approach: "There is no limit to the good you can do if you don't care who gets the credit". The event was attended by Eli's son and daughter (Emerson and Katie Rose), Val Ilsley, David Sawyer, former mayor Bud Clark and a host of other active citizens committed to making Northwest Portland a wonderful place for everyone.
Welcome New Partners
(From the December 2005 Newsletter)
Kim and Dean Agnew - Two years ago, Kim and Dan moved to Vancouver from Centralia, Washington. Kim is an artist and writer and has experience in event planning and coordination as well as a background in management having worked on both the retail and wholesale sides of business. Kim has been active in the Vancouver YWCA focusing her energy on domestic violence and devoting much time to volunteer work at their thirteen-year-old son, Garrett's, school. Kim is in the process of starting a non-profit organization that will sponsor and support at-risk and low-income teens to go through a powerful teen leadership seminar outside Las Vegas, Nevada. Kim loves to cook, garden, ski, travel and spend time with her family. The family is considering starting a family foundation and while doing research, Kim came upon the SVP website thus leading her to SVPP.
After graduating from law school at Willamette, Dan chose to work in his family's business which he continues to do today. He is owner of Mt. Hood Beverage Company, president of The Agnew Company and manager of ALCO Holdings, LLC, a real estate holding company. Dan also started the Agnew Family Scholarship Program in Centralia, Washington. He is an active member on the board of directors of the Washington Thoroughbred Breeders Assoc. and a charitable donor to Metropolitan Family Services, Young Life, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Doernbecker Children's hospital and Children's Cancer Society. Dan keeps busy as a father and grandfather and is an avid elk hunter, fisherman and golfer.
In March their entire family will be traveling to Mississippi to spend a week building a Habitat For Humanity home for a family who fell victim to hurricane Katrina.
Ryan Hildebrand - Ryan Hildebrand began his career and life in Portland with PricewaterhouseCoopers in the Assurance and Business Advisory Services Practice, in July 2004, after graduating from Oregon State University in Accounting and International Business.
Ryan's interest in combining philanthropy and business was developed in high school, when he formed a Birdhouse company together with students with disabilities. The program was recognized as a Pacific NW Best Program and still continues today. As a result of his efforts, Ryan was awarded the Ford Family Scholarship, which paid for his college. He felt extremely fortunate to be able to attend and made it a life-long priority to give back for all that has been given to him. Throughout college, Ryan volunteered many hours to the Alzheimer's Association, Special Olympics, and the Boys and Girls Club. He was named a top leader on campus through his position as Chair/President of multiple organizations. Ryan also created an exchange program with a Czech Republic University, in which he was the first native English speaker to attend.
Since graduation Ryan has been involved in a variety of activities that focus on giving back. His efforts include serving on various committees with his alma mater and mentoring 50+ students who are interested in entrepreneurship. Ryan is member of the Community Involvement Committee for the Entrepreneurs Foundation of the NW, an organization that helps companies make a promise that if they are successful, they will give back to the community. His commitment also extends to working to involve his firm in activities that benefit the community including Portland Impact, Schoolhouse Supplies, and Habitat for Humanity.
Outside of his career and philanthropic activities, Ryan enjoys reading autobiographies, traveling to unusual locales, and generally living the dream.
Bill Swindells - Bill is currently an independent investor/developer. In the past he held a number of senior positions in banking, real estate development and general management, all of them on the west coast. Bill has a B.S. in Economics from the University of Oregon and an MBA from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business. He is currently a member of the Lake Oswego School Board and he is a board member of a number of community service organizations including Trillium Family Services, YMCA of the Columbia-Willamette and the University of Oregon Foundation.
Bill lives in Lake Oswego with his wife Kimberly Ann and four children.
Kim and Dean Agnew - Two years ago, Kim and Dan moved to Vancouver from Centralia, Washington. Kim is an artist and writer and has experience in event planning and coordination as well as a background in management having worked on both the retail and wholesale sides of business. Kim has been active in the Vancouver YWCA focusing her energy on domestic violence and devoting much time to volunteer work at their thirteen-year-old son, Garrett's, school. Kim is in the process of starting a non-profit organization that will sponsor and support at-risk and low-income teens to go through a powerful teen leadership seminar outside Las Vegas, Nevada. Kim loves to cook, garden, ski, travel and spend time with her family. The family is considering starting a family foundation and while doing research, Kim came upon the SVP website thus leading her to SVPP.
After graduating from law school at Willamette, Dan chose to work in his family's business which he continues to do today. He is owner of Mt. Hood Beverage Company, president of The Agnew Company and manager of ALCO Holdings, LLC, a real estate holding company. Dan also started the Agnew Family Scholarship Program in Centralia, Washington. He is an active member on the board of directors of the Washington Thoroughbred Breeders Assoc. and a charitable donor to Metropolitan Family Services, Young Life, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Doernbecker Children's hospital and Children's Cancer Society. Dan keeps busy as a father and grandfather and is an avid elk hunter, fisherman and golfer.
In March their entire family will be traveling to Mississippi to spend a week building a Habitat For Humanity home for a family who fell victim to hurricane Katrina.
Ryan Hildebrand - Ryan Hildebrand began his career and life in Portland with PricewaterhouseCoopers in the Assurance and Business Advisory Services Practice, in July 2004, after graduating from Oregon State University in Accounting and International Business.
Ryan's interest in combining philanthropy and business was developed in high school, when he formed a Birdhouse company together with students with disabilities. The program was recognized as a Pacific NW Best Program and still continues today. As a result of his efforts, Ryan was awarded the Ford Family Scholarship, which paid for his college. He felt extremely fortunate to be able to attend and made it a life-long priority to give back for all that has been given to him. Throughout college, Ryan volunteered many hours to the Alzheimer's Association, Special Olympics, and the Boys and Girls Club. He was named a top leader on campus through his position as Chair/President of multiple organizations. Ryan also created an exchange program with a Czech Republic University, in which he was the first native English speaker to attend.
Since graduation Ryan has been involved in a variety of activities that focus on giving back. His efforts include serving on various committees with his alma mater and mentoring 50+ students who are interested in entrepreneurship. Ryan is member of the Community Involvement Committee for the Entrepreneurs Foundation of the NW, an organization that helps companies make a promise that if they are successful, they will give back to the community. His commitment also extends to working to involve his firm in activities that benefit the community including Portland Impact, Schoolhouse Supplies, and Habitat for Humanity.
Outside of his career and philanthropic activities, Ryan enjoys reading autobiographies, traveling to unusual locales, and generally living the dream.
Bill Swindells - Bill is currently an independent investor/developer. In the past he held a number of senior positions in banking, real estate development and general management, all of them on the west coast. Bill has a B.S. in Economics from the University of Oregon and an MBA from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business. He is currently a member of the Lake Oswego School Board and he is a board member of a number of community service organizations including Trillium Family Services, YMCA of the Columbia-Willamette and the University of Oregon Foundation.
Bill lives in Lake Oswego with his wife Kimberly Ann and four children.
From Our Executive Director - Jean Hart
(From the September 2005 Newsletter)
"The fish is the last to know it swims in the water." -- Chinese proverb
This haiku-like proverb is a lovely way of saying it is hard to see what is going on when one is in the middle of it. Change can often only be seen in hindsight.
Philanthropic habits are clearly changing. It was not long ago, perhaps a generation, when giving at the office constituted the extent of many people's philanthropy. Today, traditional ideas of philanthropy are being questioned and ways to improve and reinvent giving are being explored informally and formally. Choices for every type of gift and giver are out there. Numerous books, reports and articles have been written on this topic. Recently a friend sent a link to The Future of Philanthropy, addressing these "seeds of change." New patterns of behavior were compared to old. I'd like to pass these on as food for thought. I think you may recognize the origins of Social Venture Partners.
Old Habits of Giving / New Ways to Consider
Late in life / Give throughout life
Foundations as key institution / Foundations are one form
Social benefits come from nonprofits / Social benefits come from any sector
Philanthropy corrects for the market / Philanthropy connects to the market
Older, white, male dominated / Diverse leadership
Focus on one's community / Focus on home and global problems
General giving goals / Specific goals
Donors make gifts / Donors make investments
Money is the resource, grants are tools / Influence is resource, money is tool
Donors are moved from recipient / Donors are engaged
Donors content to do good / Donors assess impact
Donors learn from their own work / Donors learn and share their results
Sound familiar? SVPP is one model for "new ways" to give. We collaborate, pool our resources, share our results, use our influence, engage with our investees, measure our impact and strive for diversity in our membership and leadership. One comment in this lengthy report that resonated with me is the following: "In the new ecology, it may make as much sense to identify a useful network and join or incubate it as to seek a distinctive niche and occupy it". We at SVPP agree!
Welcome New Partners
Tony L. Hopson Sr. and Ellison C. Morgan - Tony is the President and CEO of Self Enhancement, Inc., an organization he founded in 1981 to improve the collegiate and employment opportunities for high school students. Since then, SEI has expanded to serve more than 2000 students a year in various programs and has been recognized with awards such as the Oregon Award for Public Service and named a "Point of Light" by President George Bush, Sr. SEI was also instrumental in raising funds for the construction of the Center for Self Enhancement. The center offers a variety of activities and services for youth and families in inner-Portland and is quickly becoming a hub of the community.
Tony is a very active volunteer and leader in the Portland community and he is especially involved with groups representing the interests and needs of young people. He is a director on the U.S. Bank Corporate Advisory Board, is a Willamette University Trustee, he serves on the Providence Health System Governing Council, is a member of the Portland Public Schools Foundation, he is the chair of the Northeast Rescue Plan Action Committee (NERPAC) and he is a founding member of the Overtown Youth Center (Miami) Board of Directors. Tony has been widely recognized for his activism and community leadership and has received numerous awards for his efforts.
Tony is a native of Portland and resides in the Northeast community. He graduated from Portland's Jefferson High School in 1972. He went on to graduate from Willamette University with B.A. degrees in Psychology and Sociology and a teaching certificate in 1977. That same year he earned a counseling certificate from Portland State University. In 1991 he received an Honorary Doctorate in Public Service from Willamette University. From 1977 to 1985, Tony taught, counseled and coached for Portland Public Schools. Tony is the father of three sons. In his spare time he enjoys music, travel and water sports.
Elli is currently Chairman and CEO of 2030 Investors, L.L.C., a family Investment company based in Portland, Oregon. Elli co-founded M Financial Group and M Life Insurance Company in 1978, a national marketing and reinsurance organization with 105 offices. This organization specializes in executive compensation planning as well as estate and business continuity planning for business owners and high net worth individuals. In 1996, he retired as President and CEO of M Financial Group. Elli was also founder of Management Compensation Group, Northwest and its predecessor, Resource Management Consultants. He served as President and CEO from 1963 through 1985.
Elli serves on the boards of American Industries, Self Enhancement. Inc. (SEI), Become X and House of Umoja. He is a member of the World Presidents' Organization and past Chairman of Oregon's Young Presidents Organization. Elli resides in Portland.
Tony is a very active volunteer and leader in the Portland community and he is especially involved with groups representing the interests and needs of young people. He is a director on the U.S. Bank Corporate Advisory Board, is a Willamette University Trustee, he serves on the Providence Health System Governing Council, is a member of the Portland Public Schools Foundation, he is the chair of the Northeast Rescue Plan Action Committee (NERPAC) and he is a founding member of the Overtown Youth Center (Miami) Board of Directors. Tony has been widely recognized for his activism and community leadership and has received numerous awards for his efforts.
Tony is a native of Portland and resides in the Northeast community. He graduated from Portland's Jefferson High School in 1972. He went on to graduate from Willamette University with B.A. degrees in Psychology and Sociology and a teaching certificate in 1977. That same year he earned a counseling certificate from Portland State University. In 1991 he received an Honorary Doctorate in Public Service from Willamette University. From 1977 to 1985, Tony taught, counseled and coached for Portland Public Schools. Tony is the father of three sons. In his spare time he enjoys music, travel and water sports.
Elli is currently Chairman and CEO of 2030 Investors, L.L.C., a family Investment company based in Portland, Oregon. Elli co-founded M Financial Group and M Life Insurance Company in 1978, a national marketing and reinsurance organization with 105 offices. This organization specializes in executive compensation planning as well as estate and business continuity planning for business owners and high net worth individuals. In 1996, he retired as President and CEO of M Financial Group. Elli was also founder of Management Compensation Group, Northwest and its predecessor, Resource Management Consultants. He served as President and CEO from 1963 through 1985.
Elli serves on the boards of American Industries, Self Enhancement. Inc. (SEI), Become X and House of Umoja. He is a member of the World Presidents' Organization and past Chairman of Oregon's Young Presidents Organization. Elli resides in Portland.
SVPP 2005 Investments
C.A.S.H. - "Creating Assets, Savings and Hope"
(From the September 2004 Newsletter)
This new SVPP project is a community partnership that promotes financial stability for low-income families in the Tri-County area by expanding the use of low-income tax credits. CASH will encourage eligible families to apply for low-income tax credits and provide free tax return preparation services. CASH will encourage the wise use of the tax credits by promoting financial literacy and savings programs.
The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) provides tax credits to low-income working individuals and families. The credit is nominal to families without children and scales up to over $4,000 for families with two or more children. Approximately $75 million of EITC go unclaimed each year in Oregon, with about half that amount in the Tri-County area. That dollar amount does not include the Oregon earned income tax credit or child dependent care and other credits. EITC and other credits puts badly needed dollars into the pockets of hard-working, deserving working families.
CASH wants to make sure that every individual and family eligible for the EITC receives the credits to which they are entitled. CASH will do so with outreach programs geared to educate people on the availability of the EITC. These programs will target locations with concentrations of low-income families such as employers, churches and social service agencies. CASH will help coordinate free tax preparation services to be delivered at workplaces, churches and public locations such as banks. Finally, CASH will promote financial literacy and encourage savings for home ownership and education.
A major recent accomplishment was selecting CASH's first Executive Director, Jim Harper. Jim formerly served as the VP of Administration for Arras/Morrison Child and Family Services and previously established a school-to-career program for Multnomah County. These positions followed a successful career in HR and manufacturing management positions with Wacker Siltronic and Tektronix. CASH is an opportunity for Jim to continue giving to the community and working to improve the lives of low-income working families. CASH is fortunate to have someone with Jim's organization skills and passion for helping at-risk children.
CASH is perfectly suited for SVPP's focus on helping at-risk children. The overwhelming majority of the EITC goes to low-income working families with children. As CASH gets organized over the coming months, there will be numerous opportunities for partner volunteer participation, including:
• Recruiting employers, churches and social services organizations to help serve as distribution channels for CASH's projects
• Coordinating recruiting and training tax preparers
• Coordinating tax preparation events
• Working with civic leaders - both elected officials and staff
• Development work to raise funds for CASH's operations
If you have an interest in joining the SVPP team supporting CASH, please contact the CASH project leader, Joel Kaplan, at 503.221.1287 or email Joel Kaplan.
PEP - "Parental Engagement Program"
This exciting program gives SVPP the opportunity to get directly involved with public schools by forming partnerships with two Portland elementary schools: Clark and Kelly Elementary Schools. The program will focus on building stronger parental involvement in these schools.
About the schools: Both Clark and Kelly Elementary are Title 1 Schools located in SE Portland. A significant majority of the students at each school qualify for free lunch and breakfast. Both also have a significant (over 35%) minority population, spread amongst many different immigrant groups. Both are headed by terrific leaders, Christine Anderud (Clark) and John Horn (Kelly), both of them are very motivated to improve student performance and reduce the achievement gap. Clark Elementary was recently awarded a Blazer award by Portland Schools Foundation for the second year in a row in recognition of their school improvement efforts. Kelly Elementary is a SUN school and John has already marshaled a number of funding sources and partnerships to build stronger community support.
About the partnership with SVPP: A lot of research supports the fact that kids' achievement is heavily correlated with parental engagement and involvement in their child's education. But high poverty schools struggle to find ways to create strong parent communities, for many reasons.
SVPP's goal is to provide funding and volunteer power to help build a strong community of engaged parents at each school. Another SVPP goal is to define a model for community building that can be replicated and sustained across a large number of schools. The specific elements of the program include:
• Creation of a School Advisory Council at each school comprised of the principal, teachers, parents, and community members such as SVPP. The Advisory Council will work with the principal on strategies to build community partnerships to facilitate school improvement. The focus is also on building a core group of committed parents who gradually can form the basis of an active PTA and Site Council at each school.
• Sponsorship and coordination of a range of outreach activities and events to draw parents into the school.
Progress to date: Now that the 2005-2006 school year is about to begin, the PEP team has had meetings with each school to start planning the PEP-related activities and identifying volunteer opportunities for SVPP partners. Kelly has hired a dedicated coordinator which will be managing PEP and providing focus for the program. At Clark, the PEP activities will be managed with existing resources.
Volunteer opportunities:
1 - School Advisory Council: PEP needs two SVPP partners to sit on the School Advisory Board for each school. This will involve a monthly meeting with the principal, relevant staff and a small group of parents. Time commitment will be roughly 3-4 hours per month including meeting time. The role of SVPP on the School Advisory Board will be to act as an objective outside voice providing input to the creation of a school improvement plan, and possibly assisting in identifying potential sources of revenue or support from the community and helping with grant writing activities. SVPP's role is primarily to provide the principals with sound judgment, thoughtful advice, knowledge of the business community and a network to possible other partnerships. This will be a very rewarding volunteer experience for someone who is interested in establishing a meaningful relationship with a school community.
2 - Support of specific school events: Throughout the year each school will be organizing various events for parents and families in their school community. PEP will be looking for volunteers on an as-needed basis to support these events. This will require 2-3 hours on a one-off basis and will likely involve such activities as help in designing marketing materials for the event, staffing the door, administrative support, assisting with literacy events for the children of parents attending the event, etc. PEP would like to create a list of interested SVPP partners who can be called upon on an infrequent basis to help with these events.
3 - SMART program: Many SVPP partners have been involved in the SMART program as volunteer readers in the past. One way to support your investment in these schools is to request Kelly or Clark Elementary as your SMART school this year. This will provide partners a chance to interact directly with kids and teachers in the schools we supported by PEP. PEP encourages partners who are already or are interested in becoming SMART volunteers to get in touch with the SMART organization in the next month and request to volunteer at these two schools this year.
The PEP team will be reaching out to a subset of partners over the next weeks who have already indicated some interest. But there are still lots of spots to fill, so please get in touch if you are interested in getting more involved. The School Advisory Boards will be kicking off in early September so the goal is to get the SVPP advisors named within the next month.
About the schools: Both Clark and Kelly Elementary are Title 1 Schools located in SE Portland. A significant majority of the students at each school qualify for free lunch and breakfast. Both also have a significant (over 35%) minority population, spread amongst many different immigrant groups. Both are headed by terrific leaders, Christine Anderud (Clark) and John Horn (Kelly), both of them are very motivated to improve student performance and reduce the achievement gap. Clark Elementary was recently awarded a Blazer award by Portland Schools Foundation for the second year in a row in recognition of their school improvement efforts. Kelly Elementary is a SUN school and John has already marshaled a number of funding sources and partnerships to build stronger community support.
About the partnership with SVPP: A lot of research supports the fact that kids' achievement is heavily correlated with parental engagement and involvement in their child's education. But high poverty schools struggle to find ways to create strong parent communities, for many reasons.
SVPP's goal is to provide funding and volunteer power to help build a strong community of engaged parents at each school. Another SVPP goal is to define a model for community building that can be replicated and sustained across a large number of schools. The specific elements of the program include:
• Creation of a School Advisory Council at each school comprised of the principal, teachers, parents, and community members such as SVPP. The Advisory Council will work with the principal on strategies to build community partnerships to facilitate school improvement. The focus is also on building a core group of committed parents who gradually can form the basis of an active PTA and Site Council at each school.
• Sponsorship and coordination of a range of outreach activities and events to draw parents into the school.
Progress to date: Now that the 2005-2006 school year is about to begin, the PEP team has had meetings with each school to start planning the PEP-related activities and identifying volunteer opportunities for SVPP partners. Kelly has hired a dedicated coordinator which will be managing PEP and providing focus for the program. At Clark, the PEP activities will be managed with existing resources.
Volunteer opportunities:
1 - School Advisory Council: PEP needs two SVPP partners to sit on the School Advisory Board for each school. This will involve a monthly meeting with the principal, relevant staff and a small group of parents. Time commitment will be roughly 3-4 hours per month including meeting time. The role of SVPP on the School Advisory Board will be to act as an objective outside voice providing input to the creation of a school improvement plan, and possibly assisting in identifying potential sources of revenue or support from the community and helping with grant writing activities. SVPP's role is primarily to provide the principals with sound judgment, thoughtful advice, knowledge of the business community and a network to possible other partnerships. This will be a very rewarding volunteer experience for someone who is interested in establishing a meaningful relationship with a school community.
2 - Support of specific school events: Throughout the year each school will be organizing various events for parents and families in their school community. PEP will be looking for volunteers on an as-needed basis to support these events. This will require 2-3 hours on a one-off basis and will likely involve such activities as help in designing marketing materials for the event, staffing the door, administrative support, assisting with literacy events for the children of parents attending the event, etc. PEP would like to create a list of interested SVPP partners who can be called upon on an infrequent basis to help with these events.
3 - SMART program: Many SVPP partners have been involved in the SMART program as volunteer readers in the past. One way to support your investment in these schools is to request Kelly or Clark Elementary as your SMART school this year. This will provide partners a chance to interact directly with kids and teachers in the schools we supported by PEP. PEP encourages partners who are already or are interested in becoming SMART volunteers to get in touch with the SMART organization in the next month and request to volunteer at these two schools this year.
The PEP team will be reaching out to a subset of partners over the next weeks who have already indicated some interest. But there are still lots of spots to fill, so please get in touch if you are interested in getting more involved. The School Advisory Boards will be kicking off in early September so the goal is to get the SVPP advisors named within the next month.
SVPP News
(From the September 2004 Newsletter)
SVPP held its annual summer event at the home of Rance and Allison Gregory. Partners enjoyed a delicious barbecue and gave them an opportunity to socialize and enjoy Oregon's wonderful summer weather. Many thanks to Rance and Allison for hosting this event and for their great hospitality.
SVPP Moves to New Quarters
As previously announced, the move of SVPP's office from downtown Portland to the River Park Center, on the east side of the Sellwood bridge, was successfully completed. The new location provides improved services and free parking. The new address is 205 SE Spokane Street, Suite 329. The phone number remains the same, 503-222-0114. Please stop by and see SVPP's new office.
PSU Dean will Speak at SVPP's September Meeting
Larry Wallack, Dean of Portland State University's College of Urban and Public Affairs, will be the keynote speaker at SVPP's September 21 meeting. Dr. Wallack will speak to SVPP about his approach to solving social problems. In a recent commencement address to graduate students at PSU he challenged the departing students and their families and friends to reconsider the ways in which communities are responding to social ills. He calls this the "upstream approach" vs. the "downstream approach" to problem solving.
From 1999 to 2004, Dr. Wallack was Professor and Director of the School of Community Health at PSU. He is also Emeritus Professor of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley and was a founding senior fellow and first President of the Rockridge Institute, a California-based think tank. He was the founding director of the Prevention Research Center (1983-86), the first federally funded national alcohol research center with a primary emphasis on prevention. From 1986 to 1995 he was the principal investigator for the California site of the Community Intervention Trial to Reduce Smoking (COMMIT). This project funded by the National Cancer Institute was the largest randomized community trial ever developed for the prevention of smoking.
From Our Investees
(From the June 2005 Newsletter)
Kids Cafe - Boys & Girls Club of Portland
Wattles Kids Cafe fed an average of 150 kids per day for the first quarter of 2005, in addition to afternoon snacks averaging 75 kids per day. The program has been running at a profit during the past quarter. Nutritional education classes are held three times per week. An average of 65 members participate each month in the nutrition programs.
B&GC has partnered with Healthy Living By Design and Growing Gardens in a grant to fund a garden project at the Wattles Club. Growing Gardens, an organization that installs home gardens for low-income residents, will implement a Garden Club each week at the Wattles Club for the 2005-2006 school year.
Detailed plans and specifications for construction of the Kids Cafe at Blazers have been approved. Construction is under way and proceeding well with a targeted completion in mid-August. B&GC management and Board are continuing their efforts to raise funds required for expansion of the Hillsboro facility to include the third Kids Cafe. To date, B&GC has received a $400,000 grant from Washington County Community Block Grant program. An additional $1,325,000 in proposals are pending to the Murdock Trust, The Collins Foundation, The Oregon Community Foundation, The Anne & Bill Swindells Charitable Trust, and the Weyerhaeuser Foundation.
Free Clinic of SW Washington
A good deal of work was devoted to the redesign of the Free Clinic's website. The initial study has been completed covering: formats, approach to getting help, and obtaining funding to complete the project. A resource has been identified for this project and the website redesign is in process.
Volunteers have been identified to support the definition of a marketing plan for the Free Clinic. The team could use one or two more volunteers.
Metropolitan Family Service
The selection process for an IT consultant for the database project was completed successfully. The agreement outlining scope of project, timeline, and deliverables was finalized last month. MFS staff is evaluating intranet options, but a selection has not yet been made.
SVPP has a partner on each of their three strategic committees. In addition, SVPP members Valerie Ilsley and Les Soltesz are members of the MFS Ways to Work loan committee. Ways to Work provides low income parents who are unable to get loans elsewhere with low-interest loans to purchase or repair vehicles. The Committee has held two meetings to date and approved eight loans. SVPP currently has 13 volunteers at MFS.
Morrison Child and Family Services
Good progress on many elements of the "Connections for Children" Information Technology project, E-time (electronic timecards) has been deployed to all upgraded sites. The Beta version of the Intakes database project (merging databases) was successfully demonstrated. The deployment of the tier client-tracking project (Hand in Hand) is on track. Evaluation and planning for Marqui implementation is under way. Marqui will provide tools for more effective use of the Internet and Intranet, as well as provide a tool to store and access standard template information - potential use could be for grant writing and RFPs.
Kids Cafe - Boys & Girls Club of Portland
Wattles Kids Cafe fed an average of 150 kids per day for the first quarter of 2005, in addition to afternoon snacks averaging 75 kids per day. The program has been running at a profit during the past quarter. Nutritional education classes are held three times per week. An average of 65 members participate each month in the nutrition programs.
B&GC has partnered with Healthy Living By Design and Growing Gardens in a grant to fund a garden project at the Wattles Club. Growing Gardens, an organization that installs home gardens for low-income residents, will implement a Garden Club each week at the Wattles Club for the 2005-2006 school year.
Detailed plans and specifications for construction of the Kids Cafe at Blazers have been approved. Construction is under way and proceeding well with a targeted completion in mid-August. B&GC management and Board are continuing their efforts to raise funds required for expansion of the Hillsboro facility to include the third Kids Cafe. To date, B&GC has received a $400,000 grant from Washington County Community Block Grant program. An additional $1,325,000 in proposals are pending to the Murdock Trust, The Collins Foundation, The Oregon Community Foundation, The Anne & Bill Swindells Charitable Trust, and the Weyerhaeuser Foundation.
Free Clinic of SW Washington
A good deal of work was devoted to the redesign of the Free Clinic's website. The initial study has been completed covering: formats, approach to getting help, and obtaining funding to complete the project. A resource has been identified for this project and the website redesign is in process.
Volunteers have been identified to support the definition of a marketing plan for the Free Clinic. The team could use one or two more volunteers.
Metropolitan Family Service
The selection process for an IT consultant for the database project was completed successfully. The agreement outlining scope of project, timeline, and deliverables was finalized last month. MFS staff is evaluating intranet options, but a selection has not yet been made.
SVPP has a partner on each of their three strategic committees. In addition, SVPP members Valerie Ilsley and Les Soltesz are members of the MFS Ways to Work loan committee. Ways to Work provides low income parents who are unable to get loans elsewhere with low-interest loans to purchase or repair vehicles. The Committee has held two meetings to date and approved eight loans. SVPP currently has 13 volunteers at MFS.
Morrison Child and Family Services
Good progress on many elements of the "Connections for Children" Information Technology project, E-time (electronic timecards) has been deployed to all upgraded sites. The Beta version of the Intakes database project (merging databases) was successfully demonstrated. The deployment of the tier client-tracking project (Hand in Hand) is on track. Evaluation and planning for Marqui implementation is under way. Marqui will provide tools for more effective use of the Internet and Intranet, as well as provide a tool to store and access standard template information - potential use could be for grant writing and RFPs.
Partner Profile - Rance Gregory and Joel Kaplan
Photos: Rance Gregory (left); Joel Kaplan (right)
(From the June 2005 Newsletter)
Rance and Joel co-led the C.A.S.H. project driven by the realization that SVPP can make a significant contribution in helping Oregon low income families benefit from federal and state tax credits that are available to them but go uncollected. Rance led the initial efforts and established strong contacts with the Oregon Tax Credit Alliance and the IRS to understand the current efforts and how SVPP can make a significant contribution. Once the framework of SVPP's participation was defined, Rance and Joel worked closely with OTCC as well as other organizations who provide funding for OTCC like United Way and the Oregon Food Bank to formalize SVPP's engagement.
Partner Profile - Sara Allan and Kirsten Day
Photo:Sara Allan (left) and Kirsten Day (right).
(From the June 2005 Newsletter)
Sara and Kirsten co-led the Portland school partnerships investment team whose objective was to find a meaningful way to engage directly with elementary schools in low income areas and have an impact on children's academic performance through stronger parental participation. To accomplish this, Sara and Kirsten established strong contacts with the Portland Schools Foundation, elementary school principals, school administrators and social service organizations. Their leadership was instrumental in defining the SVPP partnerships with Clark and Kelly Elementary Schools for the 2005-2006 school year.
Welcome New Partners
(From the June 2005 Newsletter)
Chris Bailey and Robert Lusk - Chris Bailey was born and raised in Richmond, Virginia. He attended Virginia Commonwealth University, and got his undergraduate degree from Oregon State University, and a Masters Degree in Environmental Management with a certificate in hydrology from Portland State. His specific research was on the effect Portland's urban heat island has on regional precipitation. He will teach physical geography at a local college this fall. Chris is a tenor with Oregon Repertory Singers. He and Robert have two "pound dogs" which Robert spoils and Chris "parents".
Robert Lusk was born in Texas. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Houston and his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch. His postgraduate training is in internal medicine and infectious diseases. He is the associate director of the internal medicine residency program at Providence Portland Medical Center, where he also practices infectious disease medicine. He serves as medical director of "Our House of Portland". Before moving to Portland he was medical director of Willamette Valley Hospice. He enjoys cooking, gardening and reading.
Both Chris and Robert love to travel. Ask Robert about his recent experience with "yak liver" sauté while in Lhasa with a N.W. medical team's mission to China.
Nathaniel (Than) Clevenger and John Mozzocco - Than is an entrepreneur, marketing communications strategist and speech writer. Than brings a broad background in business, marketing, government relations and political consulting to his own firm "3." Than formed "3" after leaving Fleishman Hillard - currently the largest public relations firm in the world - as a vice president and chair of the global technology marketing team. Prior to joining Fleishman Hillard, Than spent the previous seventeen years working in a variety of senior positions with companies and organizations around the globe from offices in Washington D.C. and New York.
He served in senior staff positions with The Democratic National Committee, The Canzeri Company (the Rockefeller Family's public relations and public affairs firm) and Hill and Knowlton Public Affairs Worldwide Company (currently the second largest public relations and public affairs firm in the world) in both the Washington D.C. and New York offices.
Current and former clients include CEOs and senior executives in large, privately held corporations, Fortune 500 and multinational corporations, foreign heads of state, trade association directors and senior executives at large non-profit foundations. He has written speeches and or correspondence for a variety of leaders including former President Bill Clinton and former President George H.W. Bush among many others. Than was recently listed in Strathmore's Who's Who in American Business, 2004 Edition.
Than is a native of the Hampton Roads area of southeastern Virginia (formerly and historically known as Tidewater) and enjoys competitive sailing, painting, art collecting and military history. He is a graduate of George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, and currently resides in Portland, Oregon, with his wife, Sydney, a Portland native, and their children Jack and Steele Elizabeth.
John Mozzocco is described as a storyteller, networker, entrepreneur, musician, and friend to everyone he meets. A professional musician for the first 20 years of his adult life, John traveled the world playing bass guitar with legendary musicians such as Johnny Lee Hooker, Carlos Santana, and Robert Gray. Returning to Portland, John laid down his bass but continued in the entertainment field by founding Poundhouse.com, an Internet company that remonitized unused entertainment inventory. These days John can be found working with 3's prospective clients as partner in charge of new business development, website and newsletters. John lives in Portland with his wife, Sarah Quist-Mazzocco, daughter Nicole and three sons, Peter, Michael, and Robert. In his spare time he can be found on the golf course working on his handicap.
Mary Edmeades - Mary is a branch manager and vice president for Albina Community Bank. Her primary function is to foster and nurture the spirit of Social Impact Banking. Albina currently serves more than 400 nonprofits and foundations, including SVPP. Prior to Albina, Mary was a VP at Pacific Northwest Bank and US Bank.
Mary is currently a member of the search committee for the Portland Development Commission and is a member of five boards of directors: Regional Arts and Culture, Zimmerman Community Center, Alzheimer's Association, Association of Portland Neighborhood Business Alliances and Professional Services Council.
She has served on many other boards during the past, and volunteers for Junior Achievement in their financial literacy program. She is also a member of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church.
Steve Rosenbaum and Amanda Bryan - Steve has over 12 years of management experience in the electronic publishing industry, with expertise in web development and Internet marketing. Steve has consulted on over 200 web projects, including multiple projects for non-profits, mid-size companies and Global 500 corporations.
Steve attended Wilson High School in Portland, went to Stanford for his undergraduate education where he received a B.A. in History and a minor in Economics. Upon graduation, he immediately returned to the City of Roses to start Pop Art in 1997. Under his leadership, Pop Art has been recognized as "Small Business of the Year", "Most Innovative Small Business," the 5th fastest growing technology company in Oregon, and the 3rd best small company to work for in the state.
Steve is active in numerous community and professional organizations which include the AeA, the Software Association of Oregon, the Portland Business Alliance, Portland City Club, and the Portland Advertising Federation. Steve is board member of Chess for Success. He is a board member and treasurer of the Oregon Bus Project.
Amanda Bryan is a Sales Engineer for Hinds Instruments, a high tech optical firm located in Hillsboro, Oregon. She holds a Masters of Electrical Engineering from University of Texas and has lived in the Portland area for four years. Previously Amanda was a researcher at Lawrence Berkley National Lab, and a congressional liaison for the Department of Energy Office of Science. She also began the Technology Exchange Program at the University of Texas, traveling to Honduras to set up a wireless communication system for medical centers in remote villages.
In her spare time, Amanda is active in the community and is a board member and organizes event fundraisers for the Oregon Bus Project, an organization that is dedicated to getting young people more involved in local politics. She is a mentor with the AWSEM program, is active in the Optical Society of America, Society of Women Engineers, IEEE, and was a founding member of MentorNet, an organization dedicated to providing college women studying optics professional mentors.
Ted and Katrina Wheeler - Ted Wheeler, a sixth-generation resident of Portland, is proud to have graduated from the Portland Public Schools. As a former Director and senior manager of Copper Mountain Trust, Inc., Ted helped grow the company to become the largest independent trust company in the Pacific Northwest. Ted is actively involved with the Portland Ambassadors Program which works to retain local businesses and recruit new ones to the Portland Area.
Ted is very active in community service. He volunteers as an overnight shelter host at the Goose Hollow Family Shelter and is the founder of Portland YouthWorks, Inc., which raises funds for cultural and educational opportunities for disadvantaged children throughout Portland. Ted founded the annual Walk for the Wildwood which raises funds for the preservation of Forest Park. He serves as the Multnomah County Citizen Representative on the Metro Policy Advisory Committee (MP AC). He has also held leadership posts at Neighborhood House, Inc., the World Affairs Council of Oregon, and the Friends of Forest Park. He is a supporter of the Cascade Aids Project and the local chapter of the Boy Scout's Eagle Scout Association. He is a field deployable volunteer for Portland Mountain Rescue and has participated in many search and rescue operations.
Ted earned a BA in Economics from Stanford University, an MBA from Columbia University and a MPP from Harvard University. He is currently gearing up a campaign to run for Multnomah County Chair.
Katrina was raised in Oregon, went to school in Oregon (OSU), moved to Seattle and then back to Portland (she missed Oregon too much).
Volunteer work and non-profits have always been a big part of Katrina's life. In college she participated in tutoring young children for Benton Literacy and helped with fundraisers for a number of organizations. In Portland, Katrina volunteered for the Children's Museum, the Neighborhood House, the Big Sister Program and many other organizations. She was a Director of Special Events for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the Development Coordinator for the Vestibular Disorders Association. Most recently she was a Financial Advisor, leaving the industry when she finally realized that she preferred the helping aspect of the job more than the selling aspect. According to Katrina, you can take the girl out of the non-profit but you can't take the non-profit out of the girl.
On a personal level, Ted and Katrina are newly married and committed to continuing to make a difference in the community not only through philanthropy but through Ted's run for Multnomah County Chair.
Chris Bailey and Robert Lusk - Chris Bailey was born and raised in Richmond, Virginia. He attended Virginia Commonwealth University, and got his undergraduate degree from Oregon State University, and a Masters Degree in Environmental Management with a certificate in hydrology from Portland State. His specific research was on the effect Portland's urban heat island has on regional precipitation. He will teach physical geography at a local college this fall. Chris is a tenor with Oregon Repertory Singers. He and Robert have two "pound dogs" which Robert spoils and Chris "parents".
Robert Lusk was born in Texas. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Houston and his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch. His postgraduate training is in internal medicine and infectious diseases. He is the associate director of the internal medicine residency program at Providence Portland Medical Center, where he also practices infectious disease medicine. He serves as medical director of "Our House of Portland". Before moving to Portland he was medical director of Willamette Valley Hospice. He enjoys cooking, gardening and reading.
Both Chris and Robert love to travel. Ask Robert about his recent experience with "yak liver" sauté while in Lhasa with a N.W. medical team's mission to China.
Nathaniel (Than) Clevenger and John Mozzocco - Than is an entrepreneur, marketing communications strategist and speech writer. Than brings a broad background in business, marketing, government relations and political consulting to his own firm "3." Than formed "3" after leaving Fleishman Hillard - currently the largest public relations firm in the world - as a vice president and chair of the global technology marketing team. Prior to joining Fleishman Hillard, Than spent the previous seventeen years working in a variety of senior positions with companies and organizations around the globe from offices in Washington D.C. and New York.
He served in senior staff positions with The Democratic National Committee, The Canzeri Company (the Rockefeller Family's public relations and public affairs firm) and Hill and Knowlton Public Affairs Worldwide Company (currently the second largest public relations and public affairs firm in the world) in both the Washington D.C. and New York offices.
Current and former clients include CEOs and senior executives in large, privately held corporations, Fortune 500 and multinational corporations, foreign heads of state, trade association directors and senior executives at large non-profit foundations. He has written speeches and or correspondence for a variety of leaders including former President Bill Clinton and former President George H.W. Bush among many others. Than was recently listed in Strathmore's Who's Who in American Business, 2004 Edition.
Than is a native of the Hampton Roads area of southeastern Virginia (formerly and historically known as Tidewater) and enjoys competitive sailing, painting, art collecting and military history. He is a graduate of George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, and currently resides in Portland, Oregon, with his wife, Sydney, a Portland native, and their children Jack and Steele Elizabeth.
John Mozzocco is described as a storyteller, networker, entrepreneur, musician, and friend to everyone he meets. A professional musician for the first 20 years of his adult life, John traveled the world playing bass guitar with legendary musicians such as Johnny Lee Hooker, Carlos Santana, and Robert Gray. Returning to Portland, John laid down his bass but continued in the entertainment field by founding Poundhouse.com, an Internet company that remonitized unused entertainment inventory. These days John can be found working with 3's prospective clients as partner in charge of new business development, website and newsletters. John lives in Portland with his wife, Sarah Quist-Mazzocco, daughter Nicole and three sons, Peter, Michael, and Robert. In his spare time he can be found on the golf course working on his handicap.
Mary Edmeades - Mary is a branch manager and vice president for Albina Community Bank. Her primary function is to foster and nurture the spirit of Social Impact Banking. Albina currently serves more than 400 nonprofits and foundations, including SVPP. Prior to Albina, Mary was a VP at Pacific Northwest Bank and US Bank.
Mary is currently a member of the search committee for the Portland Development Commission and is a member of five boards of directors: Regional Arts and Culture, Zimmerman Community Center, Alzheimer's Association, Association of Portland Neighborhood Business Alliances and Professional Services Council.
She has served on many other boards during the past, and volunteers for Junior Achievement in their financial literacy program. She is also a member of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church.
Steve Rosenbaum and Amanda Bryan - Steve has over 12 years of management experience in the electronic publishing industry, with expertise in web development and Internet marketing. Steve has consulted on over 200 web projects, including multiple projects for non-profits, mid-size companies and Global 500 corporations.
Steve attended Wilson High School in Portland, went to Stanford for his undergraduate education where he received a B.A. in History and a minor in Economics. Upon graduation, he immediately returned to the City of Roses to start Pop Art in 1997. Under his leadership, Pop Art has been recognized as "Small Business of the Year", "Most Innovative Small Business," the 5th fastest growing technology company in Oregon, and the 3rd best small company to work for in the state.
Steve is active in numerous community and professional organizations which include the AeA, the Software Association of Oregon, the Portland Business Alliance, Portland City Club, and the Portland Advertising Federation. Steve is board member of Chess for Success. He is a board member and treasurer of the Oregon Bus Project.
Amanda Bryan is a Sales Engineer for Hinds Instruments, a high tech optical firm located in Hillsboro, Oregon. She holds a Masters of Electrical Engineering from University of Texas and has lived in the Portland area for four years. Previously Amanda was a researcher at Lawrence Berkley National Lab, and a congressional liaison for the Department of Energy Office of Science. She also began the Technology Exchange Program at the University of Texas, traveling to Honduras to set up a wireless communication system for medical centers in remote villages.
In her spare time, Amanda is active in the community and is a board member and organizes event fundraisers for the Oregon Bus Project, an organization that is dedicated to getting young people more involved in local politics. She is a mentor with the AWSEM program, is active in the Optical Society of America, Society of Women Engineers, IEEE, and was a founding member of MentorNet, an organization dedicated to providing college women studying optics professional mentors.
Ted and Katrina Wheeler - Ted Wheeler, a sixth-generation resident of Portland, is proud to have graduated from the Portland Public Schools. As a former Director and senior manager of Copper Mountain Trust, Inc., Ted helped grow the company to become the largest independent trust company in the Pacific Northwest. Ted is actively involved with the Portland Ambassadors Program which works to retain local businesses and recruit new ones to the Portland Area.
Ted is very active in community service. He volunteers as an overnight shelter host at the Goose Hollow Family Shelter and is the founder of Portland YouthWorks, Inc., which raises funds for cultural and educational opportunities for disadvantaged children throughout Portland. Ted founded the annual Walk for the Wildwood which raises funds for the preservation of Forest Park. He serves as the Multnomah County Citizen Representative on the Metro Policy Advisory Committee (MP AC). He has also held leadership posts at Neighborhood House, Inc., the World Affairs Council of Oregon, and the Friends of Forest Park. He is a supporter of the Cascade Aids Project and the local chapter of the Boy Scout's Eagle Scout Association. He is a field deployable volunteer for Portland Mountain Rescue and has participated in many search and rescue operations.
Ted earned a BA in Economics from Stanford University, an MBA from Columbia University and a MPP from Harvard University. He is currently gearing up a campaign to run for Multnomah County Chair.
Katrina was raised in Oregon, went to school in Oregon (OSU), moved to Seattle and then back to Portland (she missed Oregon too much).
Volunteer work and non-profits have always been a big part of Katrina's life. In college she participated in tutoring young children for Benton Literacy and helped with fundraisers for a number of organizations. In Portland, Katrina volunteered for the Children's Museum, the Neighborhood House, the Big Sister Program and many other organizations. She was a Director of Special Events for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the Development Coordinator for the Vestibular Disorders Association. Most recently she was a Financial Advisor, leaving the industry when she finally realized that she preferred the helping aspect of the job more than the selling aspect. According to Katrina, you can take the girl out of the non-profit but you can't take the non-profit out of the girl.
On a personal level, Ted and Katrina are newly married and committed to continuing to make a difference in the community not only through philanthropy but through Ted's run for Multnomah County Chair.
From Our Executive Director - Jean Hart
(From the March 2005 Newsletter)
Partner participation over the past six months has been strong. All of our new members are engaged in a variety of interesting projects and we continue to deepen our understanding of children's needs in the four county area. Four of our partners participated in the Principal for a Day program organized yearly by the Portland Schools Foundation. It was very enlightening and a highly worthwhile experience. Interested partners are encouraged to participate next year.
At our March 9 quarterly meeting, we announced our newest project, the Venture Scholars, which will provide scholarships to students in two Portland high schools. Dr. Preston Pulliams, President of Portland Community College, was the keynote speaker for the meeting. Dr. Pulliams addressed the importance of career-focused educational programs and their role in the community's economic development. He stressed the importance of partnerships between PCC and organizations such as SVPP. Dr. Pulliams speech was both informative and entertaining.
The Investment Committee has been meeting since early October to identify the investment direction for 2005. The group has made excellent progress and has identified two areas for focus: greater parental engagement in elementary schools and increased collection of tax credits for qualifying families. Our expectation is that both of these programs will have a direct and positive impact on children.
Social Venture Partners has had strong national and local media coverage in the past six months. Several of our affiliates were recently highlighted in a two-page spread in the March 7, 2005 issue of Business Week. The topic was "giving circles" and SVP was used as a successful example. The Portland Business Journal, who broke the news on Venture Scholars, gave us good coverage in the Portland Metro area.
We continue to work closely with Social Venture Partners International to tap into best practices across the SVP network, develop tools to share knowledge, establish policies and procedures and expand the scope of the network. New affiliates are planned for Asia, Europe and Latin America over the next year.
We look forward to seeing you at the Annual Partner Meeting on May 26 at the Wieden + Kennedy facility. More information about that event will be published soon. Mark your calendar now and save the date.
Please stop by the SVPP office at any time to discuss whatever is on your mind. I welcome your inputs.
Partner participation over the past six months has been strong. All of our new members are engaged in a variety of interesting projects and we continue to deepen our understanding of children's needs in the four county area. Four of our partners participated in the Principal for a Day program organized yearly by the Portland Schools Foundation. It was very enlightening and a highly worthwhile experience. Interested partners are encouraged to participate next year.
At our March 9 quarterly meeting, we announced our newest project, the Venture Scholars, which will provide scholarships to students in two Portland high schools. Dr. Preston Pulliams, President of Portland Community College, was the keynote speaker for the meeting. Dr. Pulliams addressed the importance of career-focused educational programs and their role in the community's economic development. He stressed the importance of partnerships between PCC and organizations such as SVPP. Dr. Pulliams speech was both informative and entertaining.
The Investment Committee has been meeting since early October to identify the investment direction for 2005. The group has made excellent progress and has identified two areas for focus: greater parental engagement in elementary schools and increased collection of tax credits for qualifying families. Our expectation is that both of these programs will have a direct and positive impact on children.
Social Venture Partners has had strong national and local media coverage in the past six months. Several of our affiliates were recently highlighted in a two-page spread in the March 7, 2005 issue of Business Week. The topic was "giving circles" and SVP was used as a successful example. The Portland Business Journal, who broke the news on Venture Scholars, gave us good coverage in the Portland Metro area.
We continue to work closely with Social Venture Partners International to tap into best practices across the SVP network, develop tools to share knowledge, establish policies and procedures and expand the scope of the network. New affiliates are planned for Asia, Europe and Latin America over the next year.
We look forward to seeing you at the Annual Partner Meeting on May 26 at the Wieden + Kennedy facility. More information about that event will be published soon. Mark your calendar now and save the date.
Please stop by the SVPP office at any time to discuss whatever is on your mind. I welcome your inputs.
SVPP News
The Venture Scholars team. Back row, left to right: Keith Brown (Counselor, Roosevelt High School), Andy Kelly (Principal, Roosevelt High School), Joe Barthmaier (SVPP). Front row, left to right: Barb Ward (Counselor, Benson Polytechnic High School), Sharon Barthmaier (SVPP), Kathy Fong Stephens (College/Career Center Coordinator, Roosevelt High School), Deborah Lockwood (SVPP).
(From the March 2005 Newsletter)
SVPP News
A new scholarship program was announced by SVPP at its March 9 quarterly meeting. The program offers scholarships worth up to $4,500 each to seniors graduating this spring from Portland's Roosevelt and Benson Polytechnic high schools. The awards will honor and support students who plan to pursue career-focused training at a community college or training institute. SVPP will administer the program.
The new School-to-Career Venture Scholars program, which will fund 11 scholarships this year, has been established to address a need in Oregon for greater recognition of professional/technical training. "A key goal of the Venture Scholars program is motivating more students to stay in school and graduate. These awards aim to heighten students' awareness of how education leads to opportunity", said Deborah Lockwood, Venture Scholars program manager.
The Venture Scholars awards will help prepare students for work in the two fastest-growing job categories. According to the U. S. Department of Labor, the number of jobs that require a post-secondary vocational award are expected to increase by 24 percent in the present decade; jobs requiring a community college associate's degree, by 32 percent. "So many of our students are unaware of all of the different training opportunities that are available in our community, and these scholarships will help shed some light and give kids more choices, " said Kathy Fong Stephens, coordinator of the College and Career Center and also school-to-work liaison at Roosevelt.
SVPP is able to launch the new scholarship program as a result of commitments from several donors, including SVPP partners. The commitments total $198,000, which funds the 11 scholarships per year for four years. The Venture Scholars program welcomes additional donors at various levels to enable more deserving students in our area to benefit from Venture Scholars awards. Please contact Joe Barthmaier or Deborah Lockwood to discuss how you can make a scholarship donation.
The Venture Scholars program is modeled after the Grove Scholars program of California. Started in 1998 by the family foundation of Intel Chairman Andrew S. Grove, Grove Scholars now serves 12 high schools, awarding approximately 150 scholarships each year. Hundreds of California award recipients are now trained and working as auto technicians, chefs, dental assistants, preschool teachers and other occupations.
SVPP Joins Grantmakers of Oregon and Southwest Washington
Grantmakers of Oregon and Southwest Washington is a nonprofit organization that includes foundations, corporations and individuals practicing philanthropy. Its mission is to inspire effective philanthropy. Grantmakers provides a series of professional development programs delivered locally focusing on core competencies of grantmaking and issues of interest to funders.
In the past, SVPP's member privileges with Grantmakers were through our association with the Oregon Community Foundation. As a formal member of GOSW, SVPP will be able to play a significant role in helping shape program content, policy and direction. It also furthers our goal to continue serving the Portland metropolitan area through partner education and participation in organizations committed to effective grantmaking. Grantmakers is also a member of the Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers, which links us to funders across the nation engaged in effective philanthropy.
SVPP and SVPI Receive Prestigious Awards
Two very significant awards were received late last year. The first award was given to our Portland partnership in October at the annual SVPI conference, for Outstanding Achievement in the Investment Process, recognizing the Kids Café investment. When SVPP learned that Oregon was the second hungriest state in the country, the investment team decided to partner with the Boys & Girls Club of Portland to increase their ability to feed hungry kids by adding/expanding kitchen facilities at each of four clubs. Kids Cafés provide free hot meals and nutrition education to children at Boys & Girls Clubs locations where children naturally congregate. Most of the kids served have hunger issues and qualify for free or reduced lunch programs. SVPP worked with BGCP to leverage the initial funding of $80K with other Grantmakers to secure the initial $130K needed for the first Kids Café in the BGCP Wattles Club.
The second award came in December when Fast Company magazine recognized Social Venture Partners International with the magazine's Social Capitalist Award. This award identifies organizations that are using creativity, business smarts, and hard work to invent a brighter future. This is the only award program that quantitatively measures a nonprofit group's innovation and social impact, as well as the viability and sustainability of its business model. Social Venture Partners exists in 23 communities to increase philanthropy by educating individuals and building the capacity of nonprofit organizations.
SVPP Sets Direction for 2005 Investments
Since October of last year, the Investment Committee has been meeting regularly to identify investment opportunities for 2005 while keeping our interest directed at children at risk and education. The goal of the team has been to identify specific programs for SVPP investment for a period of up to three years where SVPP would participate both with dollar funding support as well as skills expertise of our partners.
The Committee has decided to pursue two programs for 2005. One will focus on improving parental engagement in elementary schools in the Portland Public School District, and the second program will focus on increasing the collection of tax credits available to low income families in Oregon.
The subcommittee addressing the elementary schools presented the program concept to five principals of elementary schools in the Marshall High School cluster and has requested proposals from these principals by March 31st. The expectation is that SVPP will be able to fund up to two schools for the 2005-2006 school year for this program. The concept was very well received by these principals.
The subcommittee addressing the tax credits has been working closely with the Oregon Tax Credit Coalition to provide additional funding and management expertise to increase the effectiveness of OTCC and leverage the experiences of organizations in other states that have been successful in driving similar programs.
The committee is working on getting final approval for both of these programs with the goal of having the funding secured by June. These programs will allow SVPP to engage with new organizations in the Portland area and will provide ample opportunities for partners to participate.
From Our Investees
(From the March 2005 Newsletter)
Kids Cafe - Boys & Girls Club of Portland
The Wattles Kids Café is now fully operational and the kitchen is feeding an average of 200 kids per day plus snacks for an average of 75 more kids. This is up from zero last year! Nutritional education classes are held three times per week to teach members how to cook healthy meals and help design menus for the Club. These classes are called "The Power of Choice". An average of 50 youths participate each month in the nutrition programs. The Kids Café also works with the Athletics Coordinator to promote the importance of being active and showing how food and exercise work hand in hand.
Detailed plans for the construction of the Kids Café at Blazers, which will replace a current and outmoded operation, have been completed and will be out for bid this month. Construction is expected to begin shortly thereafter and the completion and grand opening is planned for July. The third Kids Café in Hillsboro, will be completed in conjunction with a significant expansion of the B&GC in that location. BGCP management and the Board are currently undergoing a fund raising effort for this project and hope to commence construction in late 2005.
Free Clinic of SW Washington
The new Executive Director, Paul Bollinger, was hired and he started on October 4, 2004. The focus in Q4 was integrating the new ED into the Free Clinic organizations and the Board of Directors. The Strategic Plan was completed and reviewed with the Board and its various subcommittees.
The redesign of the Free Clinic website is under way. We will also work with the staff to complete the marketing plan to improve education of the community on Free Clinic services and benefits. The Free Clinic will be holding a golf event fundraiser in June. Tee time anyone? If interested, please email Ed Mueller.
Metropolitan Family Service
SVPP has been instrumental in the success of the program "Make Parenting a Pleasure". The MPAP class is now offered in three languages and consists of a series of classes that focus on the basics of parenting. In addition, SVPP completed the development of a curriculum and activities program for young children whose parents are in MPAP.
SVPP has helped MFS determine appropriate technology for adding on-line donation capabilities to their website. We are also assisting MFS with their technology infrastructure assessment which will be followed by a formal implementation plan.
SVPP has assisted MFS in the interview process to hire an individual responsible for running the new "Ways to Work" Program. This Program helps low-income individuals maintain or own a car enabling them to drive to work. The program will offer low-interest loans for car repairs and purchases.
Morrison Child and Family Services
As part of the "Connections for Children" Information Technology project, all site upgrades have been completed as planned, merging databases for the School Based Services were completed and we are currently working on the Intakes database project.
Children Relief Nursery
After a three-year engagement with CRN, we have come to the end of our participation in further projects with this organization. Thanks to all the partners who volunteered their time with CRN projects over these last three years.
Kids Cafe - Boys & Girls Club of Portland
The Wattles Kids Café is now fully operational and the kitchen is feeding an average of 200 kids per day plus snacks for an average of 75 more kids. This is up from zero last year! Nutritional education classes are held three times per week to teach members how to cook healthy meals and help design menus for the Club. These classes are called "The Power of Choice". An average of 50 youths participate each month in the nutrition programs. The Kids Café also works with the Athletics Coordinator to promote the importance of being active and showing how food and exercise work hand in hand.
Detailed plans for the construction of the Kids Café at Blazers, which will replace a current and outmoded operation, have been completed and will be out for bid this month. Construction is expected to begin shortly thereafter and the completion and grand opening is planned for July. The third Kids Café in Hillsboro, will be completed in conjunction with a significant expansion of the B&GC in that location. BGCP management and the Board are currently undergoing a fund raising effort for this project and hope to commence construction in late 2005.
Free Clinic of SW Washington
The new Executive Director, Paul Bollinger, was hired and he started on October 4, 2004. The focus in Q4 was integrating the new ED into the Free Clinic organizations and the Board of Directors. The Strategic Plan was completed and reviewed with the Board and its various subcommittees.
The redesign of the Free Clinic website is under way. We will also work with the staff to complete the marketing plan to improve education of the community on Free Clinic services and benefits. The Free Clinic will be holding a golf event fundraiser in June. Tee time anyone? If interested, please email Ed Mueller.
Metropolitan Family Service
SVPP has been instrumental in the success of the program "Make Parenting a Pleasure". The MPAP class is now offered in three languages and consists of a series of classes that focus on the basics of parenting. In addition, SVPP completed the development of a curriculum and activities program for young children whose parents are in MPAP.
SVPP has helped MFS determine appropriate technology for adding on-line donation capabilities to their website. We are also assisting MFS with their technology infrastructure assessment which will be followed by a formal implementation plan.
SVPP has assisted MFS in the interview process to hire an individual responsible for running the new "Ways to Work" Program. This Program helps low-income individuals maintain or own a car enabling them to drive to work. The program will offer low-interest loans for car repairs and purchases.
Morrison Child and Family Services
As part of the "Connections for Children" Information Technology project, all site upgrades have been completed as planned, merging databases for the School Based Services were completed and we are currently working on the Intakes database project.
Children Relief Nursery
After a three-year engagement with CRN, we have come to the end of our participation in further projects with this organization. Thanks to all the partners who volunteered their time with CRN projects over these last three years.
Volunteer Spotlight - Valerie Ilsley
(From the March 2005 Newsletter)
Valerie has been a member of SVPP for two years and has been an active volunteer with three of our investees. Valerie took over the Lead role at the B&GC following the team's successful project management of completion/opening of the first Kids Café at Wattles. The team is now responsible for project managing the construction and completion of the Kids Café at Blazers B&GC (to replace a current, outmoded operation) and the Hillsboro Kids Café, expected to start in late 2005.
Valerie is a member of three committees for Metropolitan Family Service. The latest is the loan committee for the new MFS "Ways to Work" program, the first effort in Oregon to implement a program to address the transportation and related needs of low income working families with children. In addition, Valerie volunteers on an as needed basis in the pharmacy for the Free Clinic of SW Washington.
Now retired from her career in the corporate banking world, Valerie finds these activities extremely rewarding. With the "hands on" involvement, she has developed a significant new appreciation for the quality of SVPP investments, and the never ending care and dedication exhibited by the management, staff, and volunteers of the investees.
Partner Profile - Boyce Smith
(From the March 2005 Newsletter)
Boyce is one of the founding members of SVPP and he has dedicated considerable time over the past four years in helping shape the partnership. He has also worked closely with several of our investees.
He is currently chairing the Investment Committee which consists of 11 partners who have been meeting since early October to determine SVPP's direction for 2005. Since then, the Committee has made excellent progress in identifying meaningful new opportunities for SVPP investment and participation (see article "SVPP Sets Direction for 2005 Investments" in this Newsletter). His experience and exposure to investment decisions in previous years have provided excellent direction and guidance to the committee which have enabled the team to remain highly focused and efficient. In addition, his strong organizational skills have been very effective in having a very cohesive group with clear goals, clear deliverables and timely team communications.
Welcome New Partners
(From the March 2005 Newsletter)
Constance and Gary Edwards
Constance and Gary are long term residents of the Portland area residing in Beaverton. They both grew up in and are originally from Eastern Oregon/Milton-Freewater area. Constance is the Manager of Surgical Services at Salem Hospital in Salem. Prior to that she was Manager of Surgical Services for Meridian Park Hospital in Tualatin for many years. Gary is an Executive/Organizational Coach with a long term background as a Senior Healthcare Executive for different Healthcare Systems. The cornerstone of his work recently has been as a Partner and Area Director for "Best Year Yet", a transformational, strategic execution methodology for Business and Industry.
They are a blended family with five grown children who all reside in the area and they enjoy quality time with their four grandchildren. In their down time they enjoy time at their vacation townhouse in Seaside, Oregon. For many years the focus of their service work has been helping disadvantaged young people. They are long term sponsors in the Christian Children's Fund, CASA and other organizations. When they heard about SVPP they realized there was a natural fit with their interest and purpose. Both feel strongly that you can do right and do well in the world at the same time and leave a legacy of giving back to the world.
Pat and Joel Kaplan
Pat and Joel are long-time Portland residents. They have two daughters, Madison, a "first year" at the University of St. Andrews, Scotland, and Taylor, a senior at The Catlin Gabel School. The entire family enjoys tennis, which they play on their home court. Pat and Joel are enthusiastic vegetable and flower gardeners and like to travel. Joel is an amateur woodworker, and makes baseball bats on his lathe.
Joel is a partner with Foster Pepper Tooze LLP, a Portland-based law firm, where he heads the firm's corporate law department. He splits his time between corporate finance and securities work and a sophisticated real estate acquisition and finance practice. He serves on the boards of directors of Portland Center Stage (a professional theater company) and Neighborhood House (a social service agency based in Multnomah Village).
Pat owns a real estate brokerage and consulting firm, Kaplan Real Estate Group, and is active in local, state and national professional organizations. She served as a national officer of the National Association of Realtors, the largest trade association in the world, for four years. She has spoken at several international real estate conferences, including an upcoming meeting in Hanoi, Vietnam. Pat is currently president of the Realtor Relief Foundation and serves as treasurer on the Board of the International Real Property Foundation.
Josh Kornblatt
Josh, former bakery/restaurant owner, has also joined SVPP.
Kieren and Bill Porter
Kieren and Bill have lived in Northeast Portland since moving to the city in 2000. They are the proud parents of a charming three-year-old, Evan, and enjoy camping, hiking, traveling and gardening. Both Kieren and Bill grew up in Colorado, where they met working for the governor of the state. Here in Portland, Bill directs "Grantmakers for Education," a national network of private, corporate and operating foundations that seeks to make education philanthropy more effective. Kieren plays a key role in strategic communications and corporate philanthropy at The Regence Group, the parent company for four Blue Cross/Blue Shield plans in the Northwest.
They are looking to the SVPP network to learn more about the region's nonprofit sector and which organizations are leaders and innovators. Since they are both working in philanthropy, they are hoping their experiences with SVPP will deepen their understanding of the "craft" of grantmaking. And, most important, they hope to join with others in strengthening Portland's support for families and children.
Constance and Gary Edwards
Constance and Gary are long term residents of the Portland area residing in Beaverton. They both grew up in and are originally from Eastern Oregon/Milton-Freewater area. Constance is the Manager of Surgical Services at Salem Hospital in Salem. Prior to that she was Manager of Surgical Services for Meridian Park Hospital in Tualatin for many years. Gary is an Executive/Organizational Coach with a long term background as a Senior Healthcare Executive for different Healthcare Systems. The cornerstone of his work recently has been as a Partner and Area Director for "Best Year Yet", a transformational, strategic execution methodology for Business and Industry.
They are a blended family with five grown children who all reside in the area and they enjoy quality time with their four grandchildren. In their down time they enjoy time at their vacation townhouse in Seaside, Oregon. For many years the focus of their service work has been helping disadvantaged young people. They are long term sponsors in the Christian Children's Fund, CASA and other organizations. When they heard about SVPP they realized there was a natural fit with their interest and purpose. Both feel strongly that you can do right and do well in the world at the same time and leave a legacy of giving back to the world.
Pat and Joel Kaplan
Pat and Joel are long-time Portland residents. They have two daughters, Madison, a "first year" at the University of St. Andrews, Scotland, and Taylor, a senior at The Catlin Gabel School. The entire family enjoys tennis, which they play on their home court. Pat and Joel are enthusiastic vegetable and flower gardeners and like to travel. Joel is an amateur woodworker, and makes baseball bats on his lathe.
Joel is a partner with Foster Pepper Tooze LLP, a Portland-based law firm, where he heads the firm's corporate law department. He splits his time between corporate finance and securities work and a sophisticated real estate acquisition and finance practice. He serves on the boards of directors of Portland Center Stage (a professional theater company) and Neighborhood House (a social service agency based in Multnomah Village).
Pat owns a real estate brokerage and consulting firm, Kaplan Real Estate Group, and is active in local, state and national professional organizations. She served as a national officer of the National Association of Realtors, the largest trade association in the world, for four years. She has spoken at several international real estate conferences, including an upcoming meeting in Hanoi, Vietnam. Pat is currently president of the Realtor Relief Foundation and serves as treasurer on the Board of the International Real Property Foundation.
Josh Kornblatt
Josh, former bakery/restaurant owner, has also joined SVPP.
Kieren and Bill Porter
Kieren and Bill have lived in Northeast Portland since moving to the city in 2000. They are the proud parents of a charming three-year-old, Evan, and enjoy camping, hiking, traveling and gardening. Both Kieren and Bill grew up in Colorado, where they met working for the governor of the state. Here in Portland, Bill directs "Grantmakers for Education," a national network of private, corporate and operating foundations that seeks to make education philanthropy more effective. Kieren plays a key role in strategic communications and corporate philanthropy at The Regence Group, the parent company for four Blue Cross/Blue Shield plans in the Northwest.
They are looking to the SVPP network to learn more about the region's nonprofit sector and which organizations are leaders and innovators. Since they are both working in philanthropy, they are hoping their experiences with SVPP will deepen their understanding of the "craft" of grantmaking. And, most important, they hope to join with others in strengthening Portland's support for families and children.
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