(From the September 2007 Newsletter)
SVPP should be very proud of its contribution to the Portland community this month. As we celebrate topping $1 million of direct investment in area nonprofits this year, we're also receiving recognition for the dedicated engagement and leadership of our Partners. One of our founders, Eli Lamb, will receive the SVP International Paul Shoemaker Leadership Award at the SVP Annual Conference in Seattle next month. And the committed SVPP volunteer team that he led at Morrison Child & Family Services has also drawn recognition as we get honored this week with the Dick Drennan Award from Morrison. This award and the outcomes survey that we report in this newsletter are just proof that this truly is a Partner community of "engaged citizens committed to achieving measurable social change." As a SVP Partner, a community partner, or a friend of SVP, I hope you will engage deeper with us to build a better Portland.
-Mark Holloway, Executive Director
Eli Lamb Chosen for SVP Leadership Award
(From the September 2007 Newsletter)
SVPP founding Partner Eli Lamb was recently chosen to receive the Paul Shoemaker Leadership Award by a representative board of Social Venture Partners International. This award recognizes excellence in leadership among Partners throughout the SVPI network. As the deserving recipient, Eli has strengthened SVP Portland in many ways, including serving as the initial Executive Director and President and as the Team Lead for our first investment with Morrison Child and Family Services where his leadership helped impact the Investee to the average tune of 20 times greater than the direct cash investment. This leadership also led to SVPP being chose by Morrison to receive their Dick Drennan Community Involvement Award. (see below)
Eli has also helped to recruit and educate our Partners, helping SVPP grow, prosper, and become more effective. Likewise, he has strengthened the SVP International community by his promotion and help implementing the salesforce.com online database tool adopted by SVP International and upon which the entire SVP network now relies.
The Paul Shoemaker Leadership Award will be presented at the 2007 Social Venture Partners Conference in Seattle, October 12th and 13th. Partners are encouraged to attend the conference and to support Eli as he receives this deserving honor.
Morrison Child & Family Services to Honor SVPP
(From the September 2007 Newsletter)
On Friday, September 28, 2007, SVPP will be honored with the Dick Drennan Memorial Community Involvement Award from our past Investee, Morrison Child and Family Services. Each year, Morrison choses a worthy recipient to memorialize Dick Drennan, who showed tremendous long-term commitment to Morrison's mission and to the community. SVPP has been chosen this year for our work with them as our first Investee to wire the agency for the 21st Century, updating their technology systems along with several other projects. Our investment with them saw an estimated 20-fold return from the direct cash investment, strengthening the agency in ways that few other philanthropic models could achieve.
The award will be presented at Morrison's signature event, A Children's Tale, at The Governor Hotel. Partners are still welcome to participate in the celebration, but are encouraged to notify Jenny Herget as soon as possible so that we can plan participation accordingly.
Congratulations to all of SVPP Partners past and present for your community efforts in gaining this deserving recognition!
On Friday, September 28, 2007, SVPP will be honored with the Dick Drennan Memorial Community Involvement Award from our past Investee, Morrison Child and Family Services. Each year, Morrison choses a worthy recipient to memorialize Dick Drennan, who showed tremendous long-term commitment to Morrison's mission and to the community. SVPP has been chosen this year for our work with them as our first Investee to wire the agency for the 21st Century, updating their technology systems along with several other projects. Our investment with them saw an estimated 20-fold return from the direct cash investment, strengthening the agency in ways that few other philanthropic models could achieve.
The award will be presented at Morrison's signature event, A Children's Tale, at The Governor Hotel. Partners are still welcome to participate in the celebration, but are encouraged to notify Jenny Herget as soon as possible so that we can plan participation accordingly.
Congratulations to all of SVPP Partners past and present for your community efforts in gaining this deserving recognition!
Survey Shows SVPP Directly Related to Increase in Partners' Philanthropy
(From the September 2007 Newsletter)
A recent survey of SVP Portland has revealed that nearly 75% of Partners indicated that SVPP has been directly related to an increase in their philanthropic giving. The survey, called Demonstrating SVP's Impact, was completed in July 2007 by over 60% of SVPP Partners. SVP affiliates around North America also surveyed their membership, revealing a similar increase in giving at an average 21% lower rate than Portland.
Further highlights from the Portland survey highlights include:
- 52% increase in Partners writing fewer, larger checks, compared to a 69% average among other SVPs
- 60% indicated an increase in giving since becoming involved in SVPP, compared to an 80% average among other SVPs
- 77% of Partners reported an increase in their amount of volunteerism, compared to a 63% average among other SVPs
- 67% of Partners reported greater community awareness
- 22% increased the amount of their strategic given practices since joining SVPP
These improvements in Partner awareness, community involvement, and giving strategy allow them to achieve greater impact with their giving. Through increased volunteerism, Partners become engaged in the communities they are serving, and by writing fewer, larger checks, Partners often see an immediate impact to the organizations about which they feel most passionate.
The survey outcomes are also extremely useful for SVPP as we strive to grow our partnership and to continue making the social venture model one of the best models for philanthropy. These results allow us to see where we serve our Partners best as well as the areas where we could stand to see some improvement. Partners identified a need for more regular notifications about volunteer opportunities, more diverse membership, and more engaged partners as areas of potential improvement. In response to this, SVPP is working to create Partner teams that would address these areas. The survey results will also help to strengthen our marketing and media relations.
This fall, an AmeriCorps VISTA joined SVPP for a year to help strengthen the infrastructure of the organization. Jenny Herget will work to create a system to notify Partners of volunteer opportunities best suited to their skills and resources, as well as help brainstorm new engagement plans to grow a more diverse membership.
The survey results will also help to share the SVP model and success through our marketing and media relations materials.
To everyone who responded to this survey, we thank you. This type of Partner involvement is the reason the social venture partners model works!
A recent survey of SVP Portland has revealed that nearly 75% of Partners indicated that SVPP has been directly related to an increase in their philanthropic giving. The survey, called Demonstrating SVP's Impact, was completed in July 2007 by over 60% of SVPP Partners. SVP affiliates around North America also surveyed their membership, revealing a similar increase in giving at an average 21% lower rate than Portland.
Further highlights from the Portland survey highlights include:
- 52% increase in Partners writing fewer, larger checks, compared to a 69% average among other SVPs
- 60% indicated an increase in giving since becoming involved in SVPP, compared to an 80% average among other SVPs
- 77% of Partners reported an increase in their amount of volunteerism, compared to a 63% average among other SVPs
- 67% of Partners reported greater community awareness
- 22% increased the amount of their strategic given practices since joining SVPP
These improvements in Partner awareness, community involvement, and giving strategy allow them to achieve greater impact with their giving. Through increased volunteerism, Partners become engaged in the communities they are serving, and by writing fewer, larger checks, Partners often see an immediate impact to the organizations about which they feel most passionate.
The survey outcomes are also extremely useful for SVPP as we strive to grow our partnership and to continue making the social venture model one of the best models for philanthropy. These results allow us to see where we serve our Partners best as well as the areas where we could stand to see some improvement. Partners identified a need for more regular notifications about volunteer opportunities, more diverse membership, and more engaged partners as areas of potential improvement. In response to this, SVPP is working to create Partner teams that would address these areas. The survey results will also help to strengthen our marketing and media relations.
This fall, an AmeriCorps VISTA joined SVPP for a year to help strengthen the infrastructure of the organization. Jenny Herget will work to create a system to notify Partners of volunteer opportunities best suited to their skills and resources, as well as help brainstorm new engagement plans to grow a more diverse membership.
The survey results will also help to share the SVP model and success through our marketing and media relations materials.
To everyone who responded to this survey, we thank you. This type of Partner involvement is the reason the social venture partners model works!
Investee News
(From the September 2007 Newsletter)
Through grants with SVPP, our investees thrive and grow. We're very excited to announce that CASH Oregon, New Avenues for Youth, the Parental Engagement Program, and the Forest Grove Latino Community Network program have all been able to add new staff to their organizations in the last few months.
CASH Oregon welcomes two new members to the team: Thomas Kost and Sarah Broderick.
CASH brings on Thomas as their second Americorps VISTA. He will be developing a financial coaching program to accompany CASH's existing free tax preparation program.
Sarah will be taking over where CASH's previous VISTA left off, doing volunteer recruitment and management at CASH's main location. She will also look to increase CASH Oregon's visibility in the community via outreach, partnering, and media recognition.
The Parental Engagement Program is currently in the process of hiring a Parental Engagement Coordinator. This person will be responsible for organizing a variety of events at Kelly Elementary School to get parents actively participating in the school and to provide encouragement for their children to do well in their studies.
The Forest Grove Latino Community Network program welcomes two new faces, Anabelle Vargas-Fierro and Mariam Barada.
Annabelle is replacing Claudia Yakos as the FGLCN coordinator. Annabelle is a native Spanish speaker who joins us after doing a similar coordinating position in a Hillsboro school district.
Mariam Barada is replacing John Gorman as Annabelle's supervisor. Mariam will be the FGLCN ESL coordinator. She previously worked for the Portland school district coordinating second language programs.
Through grants with SVPP, our investees thrive and grow. We're very excited to announce that CASH Oregon, New Avenues for Youth, the Parental Engagement Program, and the Forest Grove Latino Community Network program have all been able to add new staff to their organizations in the last few months.
CASH Oregon welcomes two new members to the team: Thomas Kost and Sarah Broderick.
CASH brings on Thomas as their second Americorps VISTA. He will be developing a financial coaching program to accompany CASH's existing free tax preparation program.
Sarah will be taking over where CASH's previous VISTA left off, doing volunteer recruitment and management at CASH's main location. She will also look to increase CASH Oregon's visibility in the community via outreach, partnering, and media recognition.
The Parental Engagement Program is currently in the process of hiring a Parental Engagement Coordinator. This person will be responsible for organizing a variety of events at Kelly Elementary School to get parents actively participating in the school and to provide encouragement for their children to do well in their studies.
The Forest Grove Latino Community Network program welcomes two new faces, Anabelle Vargas-Fierro and Mariam Barada.
Annabelle is replacing Claudia Yakos as the FGLCN coordinator. Annabelle is a native Spanish speaker who joins us after doing a similar coordinating position in a Hillsboro school district.
Mariam Barada is replacing John Gorman as Annabelle's supervisor. Mariam will be the FGLCN ESL coordinator. She previously worked for the Portland school district coordinating second language programs.
SVPP to Top $1 Million
(From the July 2007 Newsletter)
SVPP TO TOP $1 MILLION IN GRANTS TO AREA NON-PROFITS IN 2007-08
- Announcing the new and renewed investees -
Social Venture Partners Portland is proud to announce its 2007-08 investees: New Avenues for Youth and The Shadow Project. These new partners will join four returning investees:
• C.A.S.H. Oregon
• Parental Engagement Program (PEP)
• Child Care Improvement Project (CCIP)
• Forest Grove Latino Community Network (FGLCN)
In total, SVPP will give more than $150,000 to these organizations in 2007-08 and will top $1 million in direct investment since its first grants in 2001.
SVPP Partners will also contribute their time and expertise to help the investees with programs and projects such as building community networks and playgrounds, developing inventory systems and funding streams and assisting with program and service development. This operational support, along with individual donations by SVP Partners and collaborators, will amount to more than $4.5 million in benefit for investees since SVPP began working in the community.
The new investees and SVPP's plans for involvement are as follows:
• New Avenues for Youth seeks to empower homeless youth to exit street life and prevent other youth from becoming homeless. SVPP will work in assisting New Avenues with their Fostering Independence Project (FIP). This initiative will leverage existing public and private resources to assist youth who do not thrive in traditional placement, reduce the number dropping out of foster care, and ensure that even the most high-risk receive the skills necessary to transition to independence. Learn more at the following link: http://www.svpportland.org/support.php .
SVPP TO TOP $1 MILLION IN GRANTS TO AREA NON-PROFITS IN 2007-08
- Announcing the new and renewed investees -
Social Venture Partners Portland is proud to announce its 2007-08 investees: New Avenues for Youth and The Shadow Project. These new partners will join four returning investees:
• C.A.S.H. Oregon
• Parental Engagement Program (PEP)
• Child Care Improvement Project (CCIP)
• Forest Grove Latino Community Network (FGLCN)
In total, SVPP will give more than $150,000 to these organizations in 2007-08 and will top $1 million in direct investment since its first grants in 2001.
SVPP Partners will also contribute their time and expertise to help the investees with programs and projects such as building community networks and playgrounds, developing inventory systems and funding streams and assisting with program and service development. This operational support, along with individual donations by SVP Partners and collaborators, will amount to more than $4.5 million in benefit for investees since SVPP began working in the community.
The new investees and SVPP's plans for involvement are as follows:
• New Avenues for Youth seeks to empower homeless youth to exit street life and prevent other youth from becoming homeless. SVPP will work in assisting New Avenues with their Fostering Independence Project (FIP). This initiative will leverage existing public and private resources to assist youth who do not thrive in traditional placement, reduce the number dropping out of foster care, and ensure that even the most high-risk receive the skills necessary to transition to independence. Learn more at the following link: http://www.svpportland.org/support.php .
SVPP Investee - New Avenues for Youth
(From the July 2007 Newsletter)
A visit to New Avenues for Youth will be scheduled in September to learn more about their programs, including FIP, and to discover volunteer opportunities. Partners should stay tuned for more information on the SVPP website.
From Left to Right: New Avenues for Youth's Fostering Independence Coordinator, Tonya Lippert; Program Director, Sean Suib; Executive Director, Ken Cowdery; SVPP President , Dave Smith, holding his son; and SVPP Treasurer, Val Ilsley.
A visit to New Avenues for Youth will be scheduled in September to learn more about their programs, including FIP, and to discover volunteer opportunities. Partners should stay tuned for more information on the SVPP website.
From Left to Right: New Avenues for Youth's Fostering Independence Coordinator, Tonya Lippert; Program Director, Sean Suib; Executive Director, Ken Cowdery; SVPP President , Dave Smith, holding his son; and SVPP Treasurer, Val Ilsley.
SVPP Investee - The Shadow Project
(From the July 2007 Newsletter)
From Left to Right: The Shadow Project's Board member, Julia Corkett; Executive Director, David Cooper; President and Founder, Christy Scattarella; SVPP President, Dave Smith, holding his son; and SVPP Treasurer, Val Ilsley.
The Shadow Project fosters social and academic growth for approximately 1,000 students with learning and other disabilities in grades K-8. Teaming up with special education teachers in Portland Public Schools, The Shadow Project makes learning a more rewarding experience for children whose disabilities put them at risk of later dropping out of school. SVPP will work with The Shadow Project on plans to expand the program in the tri-county area and build partnerships with local businesses.
"We are extremely proud and honored to be working with such a tremendous group of local organizations. They are making a real difference for children, youth and families in our area," said Mark Holloway, Executive Director, SVPP. "Crossing the $1 million mark is a great accomplishment for our young organization and all of us at SVPP are extremely excited about the year ahead."
At the July 28th SVPP Summer Social Picnic, SVPP President David Smith announced the new investees to SVPP partners and paid tribute to a retiring investee, Kids Café project of The Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Portland. "With our lead support, three Kids Cafés have been completed that are feeding nutritious meals and snacks to an average of 650 kids per daypaid for by the US Department of Agriculture, which gives it strong program sustainability," said Smith. "As we bid farewell to this investee, we look forward to our new partnerships in hopes of ensuring similar successes."
To learn more about SVPP, The Shadow Project and our other investees, check us out at SVP Portland or by calling 503-222-0114.
SVPP Partners and friends are invited to attend a kick-off (and work) party to see The Shadow Project work space, meet the Shadow team, and learn more about the program and volunteer opportunities. It will begin at 6:00 pm on Tuesday, August 15th. The orientation will end at 6:45 pm, but guests are invited to stay to assist The Shadow Project with their inventory management until 8:30pm. Learn more at the following link: Shadow Project Work Party.
From Left to Right: The Shadow Project's Board member, Julia Corkett; Executive Director, David Cooper; President and Founder, Christy Scattarella; SVPP President, Dave Smith, holding his son; and SVPP Treasurer, Val Ilsley.
The Shadow Project fosters social and academic growth for approximately 1,000 students with learning and other disabilities in grades K-8. Teaming up with special education teachers in Portland Public Schools, The Shadow Project makes learning a more rewarding experience for children whose disabilities put them at risk of later dropping out of school. SVPP will work with The Shadow Project on plans to expand the program in the tri-county area and build partnerships with local businesses.
"We are extremely proud and honored to be working with such a tremendous group of local organizations. They are making a real difference for children, youth and families in our area," said Mark Holloway, Executive Director, SVPP. "Crossing the $1 million mark is a great accomplishment for our young organization and all of us at SVPP are extremely excited about the year ahead."
At the July 28th SVPP Summer Social Picnic, SVPP President David Smith announced the new investees to SVPP partners and paid tribute to a retiring investee, Kids Café project of The Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Portland. "With our lead support, three Kids Cafés have been completed that are feeding nutritious meals and snacks to an average of 650 kids per daypaid for by the US Department of Agriculture, which gives it strong program sustainability," said Smith. "As we bid farewell to this investee, we look forward to our new partnerships in hopes of ensuring similar successes."
To learn more about SVPP, The Shadow Project and our other investees, check us out at SVP Portland or by calling 503-222-0114.
From Our Executive Director - Mark Holloway
(From the June 2007 Newsletter)
As you will read below, SVPP recently held a great annual meeting -- lots of Partners and guests, an enlightening and inspiring speaker and great energy for strengthening SVPP and our investments -- but this is just the tip of the iceberg for what is to come. With more Partners, great Investees, numerous volunteer engagement opportunities and new education and community building activities, SVP Portland is going to be better and stronger. I look forward to sharing our plans as the summer progresses, but I want first to announce two very exciting developments:
SVPP AmeriCorps VISTA position - Because of our work to fight poverty in the community -- especially among children, youth and families -- the Corporation for National Service has approved SVPP for an AmeriCorps VISTA member. Please contact me immediately if you know of a dynamic and motivated individual to help us build our partnership and community impact. VISTA Corps members receive a monthly stipend (currently $840), health insurance, relocation expenses, a $4,700 education award (at the completion of their service year), among other benefits. More information can be found about our Partner and Program Manager position at SVP Portland.
SVPP moving to Center for Philanthropy - SVPP will be moving on July 1st to the new Center for Philanthropy at 221 NW 2nd Avenue, Portland. The Center was recently established by the Northwest Health Foundation to create a dynamic and cooperative community of small grantmakers. We leave our beautiful Sellwood location (hosted by Partner Eli Morgan) with a heavy heart, but look forward to the collaboration and learning opportunities of working among fellow funders. If anyone knows of high-quality office furniture that could be donated or sold at a low cost to us, please let me know.
-- Mark Holloway
As you will read below, SVPP recently held a great annual meeting -- lots of Partners and guests, an enlightening and inspiring speaker and great energy for strengthening SVPP and our investments -- but this is just the tip of the iceberg for what is to come. With more Partners, great Investees, numerous volunteer engagement opportunities and new education and community building activities, SVP Portland is going to be better and stronger. I look forward to sharing our plans as the summer progresses, but I want first to announce two very exciting developments:
SVPP AmeriCorps VISTA position - Because of our work to fight poverty in the community -- especially among children, youth and families -- the Corporation for National Service has approved SVPP for an AmeriCorps VISTA member. Please contact me immediately if you know of a dynamic and motivated individual to help us build our partnership and community impact. VISTA Corps members receive a monthly stipend (currently $840), health insurance, relocation expenses, a $4,700 education award (at the completion of their service year), among other benefits. More information can be found about our Partner and Program Manager position at SVP Portland.
SVPP moving to Center for Philanthropy - SVPP will be moving on July 1st to the new Center for Philanthropy at 221 NW 2nd Avenue, Portland. The Center was recently established by the Northwest Health Foundation to create a dynamic and cooperative community of small grantmakers. We leave our beautiful Sellwood location (hosted by Partner Eli Morgan) with a heavy heart, but look forward to the collaboration and learning opportunities of working among fellow funders. If anyone knows of high-quality office furniture that could be donated or sold at a low cost to us, please let me know.
-- Mark Holloway
SVPP News
(From the June 2007 Newsletter)
Dr. Donna Beegle Speaks to SVPP at Annual Partners' Meeting
On May 17, 2007, Partners, Investees and guests attended SVPP's Annual Partners' Meeting held at the World Forestry Center. The meeting provided great opportunities to reengage with Partners, meet new faces and interact directly with all our Investees.
The guest speaker, Donna M. Beegle, EdD, spoke about the dynamics of living in poverty, having lived in this powerless situation for 28 years herself. She also sensitized everyone to the lack of knowledge by most of us on this subject, pointing out that our society and schools don't teach the history or dynamics of poverty. Her personal accounts of growing up in generations of poverty, homelessness and illiteracy provided a riveting topic that captivated the large audience and motivated all of us to be more aware and active in fighting the causes of poverty.
SVPP Hosts Jim Lambright, Chairman of Export-Import Bank
Together with Wells Fargo Private Banking, SVPP hosted a reception on May 9th for Mr. Jim Lambright, President and Chairman of the Board of the Export-Import Bank of the United States. Mr. Lambright, a personal friend of Partner Rance Gregory, provided strong insight into the role that the Export-Import Bank plays in providing insurance and financial guarantees to support U.S. export transactions that would not otherwise occur without credit support.
Investment Team Narrows Options for 2007 Grant
After months of diligence and hard work, the 2007 Investment Team has selected five finalists out of the 55 Letters of Inquiry received from organizations for our 2007 investment cycle. All of these provide excellent opportunities for SVPP to participate in worthwhile causes in the Portland area and generate volunteering opportunities for SVPP Partners. In May, a survey was sent to SVPP Partners to share information and solicit feedback on these finalists. The selection announcement will be made later this month.
Dr. Donna Beegle Speaks to SVPP at Annual Partners' Meeting
On May 17, 2007, Partners, Investees and guests attended SVPP's Annual Partners' Meeting held at the World Forestry Center. The meeting provided great opportunities to reengage with Partners, meet new faces and interact directly with all our Investees.
The guest speaker, Donna M. Beegle, EdD, spoke about the dynamics of living in poverty, having lived in this powerless situation for 28 years herself. She also sensitized everyone to the lack of knowledge by most of us on this subject, pointing out that our society and schools don't teach the history or dynamics of poverty. Her personal accounts of growing up in generations of poverty, homelessness and illiteracy provided a riveting topic that captivated the large audience and motivated all of us to be more aware and active in fighting the causes of poverty.
SVPP Hosts Jim Lambright, Chairman of Export-Import Bank
Together with Wells Fargo Private Banking, SVPP hosted a reception on May 9th for Mr. Jim Lambright, President and Chairman of the Board of the Export-Import Bank of the United States. Mr. Lambright, a personal friend of Partner Rance Gregory, provided strong insight into the role that the Export-Import Bank plays in providing insurance and financial guarantees to support U.S. export transactions that would not otherwise occur without credit support.
Investment Team Narrows Options for 2007 Grant
After months of diligence and hard work, the 2007 Investment Team has selected five finalists out of the 55 Letters of Inquiry received from organizations for our 2007 investment cycle. All of these provide excellent opportunities for SVPP to participate in worthwhile causes in the Portland area and generate volunteering opportunities for SVPP Partners. In May, a survey was sent to SVPP Partners to share information and solicit feedback on these finalists. The selection announcement will be made later this month.
Investee News
(From the June 2007 Newsletter)
CASH Completes Second Year
CASH completed a highly successful second season of free tax preparation in partnership with AARP/Tax-Aide at four sites: Lloyd Center, downtown Hillsboro, Milwaukie (Clackamas County), and Rockwood. Over 2,200 returns were prepared (compared to 750 last year), with more than $2.2 million in federal tax refunds and more than $847,000 in federal earned income credits. At the Lloyd Center site, we received 1,089 surveys from tax payers with demographic and other important information to guide future strategies. Over 2,000 volunteer hours were contributed at Lloyd Center.
New Kids Café Opens in Hillsboro Site
On May 18th, The Boys & Girls Clubs of Portland celebrated the grand opening of its expanded facility in Hillsboro. Over 8,000 square feet of warehouse space adjacent to the existing Boys & Girls Club was renovated to include a Kids' Café kitchen, gym, teen fitness center and a multipurpose room. The total cost of the entire purchase and renovation was $2 million. The event was well attended by funding organizations, community leaders and the press. Partner Valerie Ilsley has been the lead for this project and also spoke at this event. The Hillsboro Kids Café represents the last phase of SVPP's investment in the Kids Café project of The Boys & Girls Clubs of Portland. We are proud to have played a major role as lead investor and construction project management for these three Kids Cafes. We are also proud of their impact in addressing hunger issues with Portland youth.
CASH Completes Second Year
CASH completed a highly successful second season of free tax preparation in partnership with AARP/Tax-Aide at four sites: Lloyd Center, downtown Hillsboro, Milwaukie (Clackamas County), and Rockwood. Over 2,200 returns were prepared (compared to 750 last year), with more than $2.2 million in federal tax refunds and more than $847,000 in federal earned income credits. At the Lloyd Center site, we received 1,089 surveys from tax payers with demographic and other important information to guide future strategies. Over 2,000 volunteer hours were contributed at Lloyd Center.
New Kids Café Opens in Hillsboro Site
On May 18th, The Boys & Girls Clubs of Portland celebrated the grand opening of its expanded facility in Hillsboro. Over 8,000 square feet of warehouse space adjacent to the existing Boys & Girls Club was renovated to include a Kids' Café kitchen, gym, teen fitness center and a multipurpose room. The total cost of the entire purchase and renovation was $2 million. The event was well attended by funding organizations, community leaders and the press. Partner Valerie Ilsley has been the lead for this project and also spoke at this event. The Hillsboro Kids Café represents the last phase of SVPP's investment in the Kids Café project of The Boys & Girls Clubs of Portland. We are proud to have played a major role as lead investor and construction project management for these three Kids Cafes. We are also proud of their impact in addressing hunger issues with Portland youth.
Welcome New Partners
(From the June 2007 Newsletter)
Dave and Jean Akers - The Akers moved from West Springfield, Massachusetts this spring when Jean took a landscape architect position with Vancouver-Clark Parks & Recreation District. Dave has been in the insurance business for the last 29 years, the last four as VP of the surety department for The Hartford. Dave is hoping to find something more meaningful to do in his next career here in the Portland area. Both Dave and Jean love hiking and biking. They have two children, Ben, a PhD student at the University of Wisconsin in applied mathematics, and Josie, a marketing consultant in Kansas City. Josie will be getting married in August
Earl Hines - Earl serves as Executive Vice President of McGee Financial Strategies, Inc. (founded and chaired by SVPP Partner Judith McGee), where he is responsible for co-managing operations, customer engagement, new business development, and for innovating services that maximize value for McGee's clients and their families. Prior to joining McGee Financial, Earl enjoyed a 17-year career in high technology, including 13 years at Intel in a variety of marketing and sales executive roles. Earl is a member of the Financial Planners Association, Oregon Entrepreneurs Network, and Software Association of Oregon. He is a graduate of North Carolina State University and has done extensive volunteer service for CASA for Kids (Court Appointed Special Advocates).
Deborah (Debbie) Tompkins - Debbie is the principal and founder of Tompkins Consulting Companies in which she partners with small to mid-size employers and non-profit organizations in the specialties of benefits and human resources. Deborah has shared her experience in these areas teaching at Portland State University, as well as being a guest speaker for several regional conferences and organizations. Deborah received her undergraduate degree with high honors from Washington State University and obtained her Chartered Life Underwriter designation from the American College, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. Debbie's family includes her husband, Doug and their 2 children. She enjoys staying physically active and especially when she and her family bike in sunny Central Oregon.
Dave and Jean Akers - The Akers moved from West Springfield, Massachusetts this spring when Jean took a landscape architect position with Vancouver-Clark Parks & Recreation District. Dave has been in the insurance business for the last 29 years, the last four as VP of the surety department for The Hartford. Dave is hoping to find something more meaningful to do in his next career here in the Portland area. Both Dave and Jean love hiking and biking. They have two children, Ben, a PhD student at the University of Wisconsin in applied mathematics, and Josie, a marketing consultant in Kansas City. Josie will be getting married in August
Earl Hines - Earl serves as Executive Vice President of McGee Financial Strategies, Inc. (founded and chaired by SVPP Partner Judith McGee), where he is responsible for co-managing operations, customer engagement, new business development, and for innovating services that maximize value for McGee's clients and their families. Prior to joining McGee Financial, Earl enjoyed a 17-year career in high technology, including 13 years at Intel in a variety of marketing and sales executive roles. Earl is a member of the Financial Planners Association, Oregon Entrepreneurs Network, and Software Association of Oregon. He is a graduate of North Carolina State University and has done extensive volunteer service for CASA for Kids (Court Appointed Special Advocates).
Deborah (Debbie) Tompkins - Debbie is the principal and founder of Tompkins Consulting Companies in which she partners with small to mid-size employers and non-profit organizations in the specialties of benefits and human resources. Deborah has shared her experience in these areas teaching at Portland State University, as well as being a guest speaker for several regional conferences and organizations. Deborah received her undergraduate degree with high honors from Washington State University and obtained her Chartered Life Underwriter designation from the American College, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. Debbie's family includes her husband, Doug and their 2 children. She enjoys staying physically active and especially when she and her family bike in sunny Central Oregon.
CASH (Creating Assets, Savings and Hope)
(From the April 2007 Newsletter)
CASH grand opening at Lloyd Center on February 3rd.
Left to right: Bruce Whiting from Key Bank, Jerry Cohen from AARP/Oregon, Jeff Grubb from SVPP, Barbara Sowder from the Internal Revenue Service, Randy Evers from the Oregon Department of Revenue and Jim Harper from CASH Oregon.
CASH is now completing a very busy tax season. Many volunteers were recruited and trained for this tax season in coordination with AARP/Tax-Aide. CASH will host a Thank You reception for all volunteers the evening of April 18.
Accomplishments:
• For the 2006 tax season, CASH opened two new sites in Hillsboro and Milwaukie, in addition to supporting a free tax site in Rockwood. The Lloyd Center office opened for the second year. Over 2,000 returns will be completed at these sites.
• CASH's Executive Committee approved filing for 501(c)3 status. The process should be completed by early next year.
• New support commitments include:
- Portland Community College (classrooms for training)
- Intel (14 computers)
- Portland Bureau of Housing ($25,000 grant)
- Key Bank (printing and grand opening for Lloyd Center)
- PCC Structural ($10,000)
- Bank of America ($10,000)
If you have any questions or are interested in volunteering, please contact the CASH project leader, Bruce Murray.
CASH grand opening at Lloyd Center on February 3rd.
Left to right: Bruce Whiting from Key Bank, Jerry Cohen from AARP/Oregon, Jeff Grubb from SVPP, Barbara Sowder from the Internal Revenue Service, Randy Evers from the Oregon Department of Revenue and Jim Harper from CASH Oregon.
CASH is now completing a very busy tax season. Many volunteers were recruited and trained for this tax season in coordination with AARP/Tax-Aide. CASH will host a Thank You reception for all volunteers the evening of April 18.
Accomplishments:
• For the 2006 tax season, CASH opened two new sites in Hillsboro and Milwaukie, in addition to supporting a free tax site in Rockwood. The Lloyd Center office opened for the second year. Over 2,000 returns will be completed at these sites.
• CASH's Executive Committee approved filing for 501(c)3 status. The process should be completed by early next year.
• New support commitments include:
- Portland Community College (classrooms for training)
- Intel (14 computers)
- Portland Bureau of Housing ($25,000 grant)
- Key Bank (printing and grand opening for Lloyd Center)
- PCC Structural ($10,000)
- Bank of America ($10,000)
If you have any questions or are interested in volunteering, please contact the CASH project leader, Bruce Murray.
Kids Café
(From the April 2007 Newsletter)
On a combined basis, the Kids Cafés at Wattles and Blazers served a total of 80,721 hot meals and 67,164 afternoon/evening snacks to hungry youth during 2006.
Accomplishments:
• Nutritional education classes continue to be held at Wattles three times per week, with an average of 87 members participating each month in the programs. Both clubs will be starting a new program called Healthy Habits, a nutrition education program developed by Boys & Girls Clubs of America. The program is a multi-faceted approach designed to help young people to become healthy, active, and learn healthy eating habits, and will be implemented at least twice per week at each club.
• Wattles is continuing to work with Growing Gardens during the 2006-07 school year to teach youth how to grow and tend for food plants as well as how to incorporate fresh fruits and vegetables into their daily diets. At Blazers, the Kids Café coordinator installed raised garden beds on the south side of the club so that Club kids can begin to learn how to grow their own food. It was quite successful last year and the coordinator hopes for similar results this school year.
• Construction of the Hillsboro Club expansion and Kids Café started in November 2006 and is 98% complete. Grand opening events are scheduled for Friday, May 18 and Saturday May 19; the latter being a community event and outreach. This will mark the last phase of SVPP's investment in the Kids Café project of the Boys and Girls Club of Portland. SVPP's total investment of $160,000 was matched by $349,000 from other donors, and we are proud to have played a major role as lead investor and construction project management for these three Kids Cafes.
If you have any questions, please contact the Kids Café project leader, Valerie Ilsley.
Welcome New Partners
(From the April 2007 Newsletter)
Dina Alexander and Jim Taylor - Dina is a partner at Ball Janik LLP, where she works in the real estate and construction practice groups. Her principal area of practice is mixed-use development, with an emphasis on entity structuring, project finance, acquisitions and dispositions, and commercial leasing. Dina is a member of the bar and has practiced law in each of Oregon, California and Washington. She earned a J.D. degree in 1996 from Willamette University College of Law, where she was a member of the Willamette Law Review.
Dina Alexander and Jim Taylor - Dina is a partner at Ball Janik LLP, where she works in the real estate and construction practice groups. Her principal area of practice is mixed-use development, with an emphasis on entity structuring, project finance, acquisitions and dispositions, and commercial leasing. Dina is a member of the bar and has practiced law in each of Oregon, California and Washington. She earned a J.D. degree in 1996 from Willamette University College of Law, where she was a member of the Willamette Law Review.
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