Mission

Social Venture Partners Greater Tucson combines the power of business and the passion of philanthropy to achieve positive social change in our community. By contributing a combination of expertise, time and money, we are committed to creating partnerships that build successful and sustainable nonprofit organizations. At the same time, we provide opportunities for our Partners to become informed, effective and engaged philanthropists.

Vision

Social Venture Partners Greater Tucson is a growing network of individuals from diverse backgrounds who pool their expertise and resources to make a collective impact that far exceeds what any individual could achieve. This leveraged approach allows SVP to provide larger and longer-term grants to organizations that enable them to increase their capacity to meet unmet community needs now and in the future. SVP is committed to becoming a force for social change in Southern Arizona, and to the continued growth and development of what we believe is one of the most effective and high-impact models of philanthropy development in the world.

Values

• Engaged Venture Philanthropy
  We are committed to leveraging our combined financial and human capital to create more value than we could as individuals.
• Entrepreneurial Spirit
  We use innovative approaches to achieve meaningful, long-term impact through nonprofit partnerships. We accept reasonable risk in our community investments and reward innovation in order to create an opportunity for maximum return.
• Community and Collaborative Action
  SVP Greater Tucson is a community of Partners whose investments are driven by our interests in and passion for the common good. We believe in the power of collective, self-organized effort. We encourage and maintain a highly participatory, Partner-driven organization that uses non-hierarchical, low-overhead communications and operating practices.
• Lifelong Learning
  SVP Partners embrace the potential of things yet undreamed. Continual learning is the core of our culture. SVP promotes an open exchange of knowledge and lessons learned.
• Mutual Respect
  We respect the work and expertise of our Investees and Partners. We delegate decisions, resources and authority to those closest to the work.
• Accountability and Results
  SVP Greater Tucson is accountable to our Partners, our Investees, other SVP Affiliates, and the community. We achieve and document measurable results, both in our own work and through our nonprofit partnerships.

History

The concept of Social Venture Partners was the inspiration of former Aldus Corporation President Paul Brainerd in Seattle. Helaine Levy, Executive Director, Diamond Family Philanthropies, and Steve Alley, CEO/President, Community Foundation for Southern Arizona, worked for over two years to bring this model to Tucson.