Social Venture Partners Awarded Fast Company Magazine's Social Capitalist Award
Boulder, CO (December 10, 2004) - Social Venture Partners, the only network of engaged individual philanthropists, has received Fast Company magazine's Social Capitalist Award, which identifies organizations that are using creativity, business smarts, and hard work to invent a brighter future. The Fast Company/Monitor Social Capitalist Award 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. Winners will be featured in the January issue of Fast Company, on newsstands December 21.
Social Venture Partners was initially established in Seattle in 1997, by Pagemaker software creator Paul Brainerd. The model combines partners' financial contributions with their skills and expertise to strengthen community nonprofits. To date 1500 people have invested $14 million and tens of thousands of volunteer hours in 150 nonprofit organizations.
Social Venture Partners Boulder County is part of the international network of SVP affiliates active in 23 communities, increasing philanthropy by educating individuals and building the capacity of nonprofit organizations. Amy Batchelor and Andrew Currie founded Social Venture Partners Boulder County in the fall of 2000, as a donor-advised fund of The Community Foundation. SVP Boulder County currently has thirty-six contributing partners.
To date, SVP Boulder County has awarded nearly half a million dollars to area nonprofits focusing on early child care and education, youth development, and strengthening educational and economic opportunities for Latinos. A beneficiary of SVP partners' combined contribution of cash and consulting, Project YES Executive Director, Juliet Biagi, explains "I appreciate the way that SVP Partners honor and respect the accomplishments of our organization while working with us to identify areas to build upon and strengthen. In addition to greatly needed financial support, Project YES has received mentorship and technical assistance that have developed the organization's capacity and will ensure our sustainability in the community." The Fast Company/Monitor Social Capitalist Award champions Social Venture Partners' unique approach and lasting impact.
SVP Boulder County continues to grow in partner numbers and contributions to area nonprofits. This trend mirrors activity across the SVP network: "In 2005 we expect that Social Venture Partners affiliates will launch in both Asia and Europe," said Social Venture Partners International Director Tom Donlea. "Groups from Japan, Italy and Germany have begun the process of starting an affiliate, as well as groups from several additional cities in North America."
"Whatever our professions, we are all citizens, and we all care deeply about unmet social needs-which is precisely where social entrepreneurs make their essential contribution," said Monitor Group CEO Mark B. Fuller. "But good intentions are not enough. The Social Capitalists are so special because they translate that vision into action, and meet the harsh market standards of performance and accountability."
Social Venture Partners Boulder County is a fund of The Community Foundation Serving Boulder County.
