by Jennie Arbogash
Social Venture Partners Boulder County (SVP) supports local nonprofits with a variety of programs that strengthen strategy, leadership, and management. Through our Catapult programming, experienced Partners volunteer business consulting and work side-by-side with nonprofit leadership to reach strategic goals for greater organizational impact. SVP also supports the work with cash grants to recognize the resource implications for partner nonprofits.
For five months each year, members of SVP’s Investee Selection Committee (ISC) learn about applicant nonprofits to construct a well-considered recommendation for new Catapult engagements. The full partnership then votes to approve the committee’s recommendations at an annual Spring Partner Meeting.
Beginning with in-person information sessions, letters of inquiry, and a conversation with the applicant’s Board of Directors, then full proposals and organizational capacity and leadership assessments, Committee members work to identify opportunities and obstacles for SVP impact. Culminating with in-person site visits, the committee’s diligent work identifies the investment best suited to SVP’s model, existing resources and balanced investment portfolio. This year’s Investee Selection Committee members included co-chairs Christy Bergman and Erik Bernstein, working alongside Partners Mark Bouzek, Tom Briggs, Linda Brotman-Evans, Bob Cutler, Tony George, Heather Loeb, Clyde McKenzie, Ranelle Randles, Mary Swanson, and Tim Watson.
Each of this year’s finalists is contributing significantly to creating a community in which everyone thrives: Boulder Food Rescue, Temple Grandin School, and YWCA Boulder County.
SVP Partners discussed and approved YWCA Boulder County because of this investment’s potential: highlighted by the current leadership’s eagerness for capacity building support, myriad opportunities for SVP Partner engagement and the never more timely need to focus on the welfare of women and their families while addressing issues of racism and equity.
As a Catapult Investee, YWCA will receive extensive consulting support and a cash grant of up to $15,000. SVP Partners Ranelle Randles and Mark Bouzek have volunteered to serve as Co-Lead Partners for the relationship. After an orientation to SVP, the team will work together to create a strategy map and work plan of specific SVP consulting projects.
In recognition of their application efforts and quality service to our community, finalists Boulder Food Rescue and Temple Grandin School will receive $500, an 8-pack of Boards with Brains sessions, and a six-month executive coach through Execs Evolve. SVP encourages donations and volunteering with these two impressive nonprofits.
