In December, Social Venture Partners (SVP) Boulder County announced renewed Catapult investments in three local nonprofits – Community Food Share, KGNU Community Radio and WOW! Children’s Museum. (SVP’s longest-running initiative, Catapult is a pro bono consulting investment that aims to strengthen local nonprofits from the inside out – from board governance and leadership development to strategy, fundraising, communications, technology and more.)
Now comes a follow-up series of blogs – one for each renewing nonprofit, sharing a more detailed story about our work together and its impact.
KGNU Community Radio
“KGNU’s first year working with SVP came at a crucial moment for us, just as we were preparing for a year-long celebration of KGNU’s 40th year on the air,” says Station Manager Tim Russo. “Not only has KGNU been celebrating this milestone – and the dedicated volunteers who have made the organization a thriving community asset – but moreover, with SVP’s timely support, we’ve been able to successfully leverage KGNU’s 40th as a springboard toward our vision to empower the community through a transformative, community-powered media outlet.
“The Catapult program has been instrumental in supporting an improved organizational structure, implementing much needed technical updates, and providing professional consultation on our core strategic initiatives. We’re excited to delve deeper into the relationship with SVP, and we greatly anticipate our second year as an investee to be results- and outcomes-driven. Our sense is that this is merely the beginning of a long-lasting relationship based on reciprocity and mutual growth that will continue to strengthen our community as a whole.”
Adds SVP Lead Partner Tim Rohrer, “Our investment in KGNU is a great example of the breadth of what SVP provides – from building momentum around a capital campaign, which includes a match-funding program by the City of Boulder, to technical upgrades, strengthening marketing and communications, and improving infrastructure.
“To expand its commitment to put diverse voices and perspectives on the air, a particularly exciting project the station is working on is the creation of a radio and media training center, including outreach to Latino community members for free or low-cost training to do their own broadcasts.
“As a longtime KGNU listener, I’ve always found their news reporting to be excellent – and who doesn’t like their music? It’s been great to renew my commitment to the station – and to SVP – by working with KGNU to strengthen and modernize its operations to train the next generation of media makers.”
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Next up, we’ll learn more about SVP’s work with WOW! Children’s Museum.
