Investment Overview
SVP Arizona's Investment (Grantmaking) Program
Ten years ago, the dream of creating social change through a new way of giving was born. Social Venture Partners Arizona (SVP Arizona), launched in 1999, applies a venture capital model to both investing in and partnering with nonprofit organizations to address social challenges facing the Phoenix metropolitan area.
SVP Arizona's multi-year investments include both financial and human capital. Along with financial grants, the partners of SVP Arizona contribute their professional expertise to assist "Investees" in building organizational capacity. Combining strong social programs and entrepreneurial skills is the foundation for this new movement in venture philanthropy.
Focus Areas & Partnerships
SVP Arizona’s Partners have identified education and children's issues as investment priorities. We specifically seek organizations or programs that will receive the greatest impact from the contributions of SVP Arizona. Multi-year funding consists of annual grants, with initial investments of $25,000-$30,000, dedicated to specific projects, programs or general operating support. Hands-on involvement by individual partners includes guidance and/or assistance with:
- Financial operations & accounting
- Strategic & operational planning
- Technology planning
- Marketing & public relations
- Real estate & legal advisement
- Other technical & volunteer support
SVP Arizona Guiding Principles
Social Venture Partners Arizona values programs and organizations that:
- Improve the quality of life for the underserved, especially the economically disadvantaged
- Are innovative
- Address the causes of problems, as well as provide solutions
- Encourage broad-based community involvement
- Have programs that may be replicated
- Have a long-term perspective
- Are willing to evaluate the effectiveness of their programs
- Collaborate to improve efficiency or effectiveness
- Will be substantially impacted by SVP Arizona's volunteer and professional services, as well as its financial support
How to Apply
Social Venture Partners Arizona selects Investees through a process that includes Affinity Group meetings throughout the year. Unfortunately, at this time, SVP Arizona does not accept any unsolicited investment or funding requests from nonprofit organizations.
Letters of information may be sent to the Social Venture Partners Arizona office or via email, however due to the volume of requests received, we unfortunately cannot personally reply to your correspondence. The information will be kept on file for reference by the SVP Arizona Affinity Group teams as they relate to specific issues of focus in the grantmaking process.