See impassioned SVPI Board Member Lance Fors discuss what's next for the social venture philanthropy movement in this video.
For more information about Social Venture Partners International visit their website.
http://svpi.org/
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Friday, April 15, 2011
SVP - Global Brand Strategy
Just back from a brand workshop at Social Venture Partners International. Our work day of 50 or so different partners and staffers from around the network representing at least 18 out of 26 affiliates focused mainly on word play. Our facilitator Will Novy-Hildesley of Quicksilver Foundry began the day notifying the group that, in the end, our brand promise would NOT be developed by consensus. This is an interesting concept for a "passionate" group of SVP'ers who each have their own perspective and opinions on how our international collection of Social Venture Partnerships should be represented to the world. The good news: there was clear consensus on the need for a global brand to which we all can pledge our allegiance. In a fascinating journey of many many words on even more index cards, there were a few themes that are an exciting departure from our familiar ways of communicating in our SVP world. Here are a few.
- How can we "sprint from acceptable to brilliant?"
- How do we shed our "Curse of Knowledge" and learn to share RICH (not complex) stories?
- How will our brand inspire excitement? Because nothing happens until someone gets excited.
- How do we go beyond spreading a model of philanthropy and ignite a "movement" in philanthropy?
- Kill the Labels - What does it mean for the world of SVP's to do away with the outward jargon of Partners, Investees, and Staff? How would that present a different perception in the community? Are they taking away more than they are providing?
The final product is now in the hands of our capable facilitator to go back to the "foundry" to be forged. Consensus is futile. We will push through to a common brand with a variety of local "signals" (or manifestations) of that brand. So tune in and stay tuned!
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Mayoral Candidate Forum
DSVP Partner, Suzanne Smith, shares why you should join her, Dallas Social Venture Partners, The Dallas 40 and Center for Nonprofit Management for the upcoming Mayoral Candidate Forum on April 19:
I have always joked with people that I speak three languages – English, Spanish, and Government. As a daughter of a former County Commissioner, a former campaign worker (ask me for some crazy stories at an upcoming First Friday), and an avid politico, I have learned that it isn’t enough to speak the language of government and politics, but you have to speak up when it matters. Right now, with government cuts looming and the social sector in flux, Dallas Social Venture Partners need to use their voice and speak up for our priorities. In my humble opinion, our priorities should be: 1) Greater cross-sector coordination on social sector issues (including with Dallas County and local school districts); 2) Infusion of innovative and proven practices to ensure that our kids and other vulnerable populations are getting our best efforts; and 3) Ensuring that we attract young people to bring their talent and energy to the social sector. To accomplish this, I’d like for us to challenge our Dallas elected officials to create an Office of Strategic Partnerships. Both Denver and Los Angeles have these offices and they have accomplished a lot in the past 2 years to encourage cross-sector collaboration, volunteerism, and social entrepreneurship.
We have a great opportunity with the upcoming Dallas Mayor’s Forum to affect change in our community. We need the concept of social innovation to become embedded in our elected officials' thinking so that it is always part of their platform. We can do the same thing here locally.
So, let’s speak up about the issues we care about and join other DSVP partners at:
Mayoral Candidate Forum
Hosts: The Dallas 40, Dallas Social Venture Partners, and Center for Nonprofit Management
When: April 19, 7:30 - 9:00 a.m.
Location: Communities Foundation of Texas
Cost: FREE, but space is limited so register before it's sold out
Parking: Complimentary Parking available immediately behind the building
Registration: http://maycanfor11.eventbrite.com/
Due to high demand registration has opened up more spots. Space is limited however so please register to reserve your spot.
This post is from a guest blogger and does not necessarily represent the opinion or position of Dallas Social Venture Partners.
I have always joked with people that I speak three languages – English, Spanish, and Government. As a daughter of a former County Commissioner, a former campaign worker (ask me for some crazy stories at an upcoming First Friday), and an avid politico, I have learned that it isn’t enough to speak the language of government and politics, but you have to speak up when it matters. Right now, with government cuts looming and the social sector in flux, Dallas Social Venture Partners need to use their voice and speak up for our priorities. In my humble opinion, our priorities should be: 1) Greater cross-sector coordination on social sector issues (including with Dallas County and local school districts); 2) Infusion of innovative and proven practices to ensure that our kids and other vulnerable populations are getting our best efforts; and 3) Ensuring that we attract young people to bring their talent and energy to the social sector. To accomplish this, I’d like for us to challenge our Dallas elected officials to create an Office of Strategic Partnerships. Both Denver and Los Angeles have these offices and they have accomplished a lot in the past 2 years to encourage cross-sector collaboration, volunteerism, and social entrepreneurship.
We have a great opportunity with the upcoming Dallas Mayor’s Forum to affect change in our community. We need the concept of social innovation to become embedded in our elected officials' thinking so that it is always part of their platform. We can do the same thing here locally.
So, let’s speak up about the issues we care about and join other DSVP partners at:
Mayoral Candidate Forum
Hosts: The Dallas 40, Dallas Social Venture Partners, and Center for Nonprofit Management
When: April 19, 7:30 - 9:00 a.m.
Location: Communities Foundation of Texas
Cost: FREE, but space is limited so register before it's sold out
Parking: Complimentary Parking available immediately behind the building
Registration: http://maycanfor11.eventbrite.com/
Due to high demand registration has opened up more spots. Space is limited however so please register to reserve your spot.
This post is from a guest blogger and does not necessarily represent the opinion or position of Dallas Social Venture Partners.
Robert Egger Announces bigBANG! NOURISH Track
Announcing the NOURISH track innovators! Thanks Robert Egger for the video! These select INNOVATORS will present their dot coms AND dot orgs on the bigBANG! Fast Pitch stage JUNE 16th in DALLAS TEXAS. Get those early bird tickets NOW!
Cafe Momentum – a restaurant with a mission
The Movement – fitness club creating farm demand Dallas Farmers Market Trust – a movement to privatize the Dallas Farmer’s Market!
Paul Quinn College – Food for Good Farm – A football field turned into a farm!
Sustainable Food Center - A statewide effort focused on seed-to-table education and awareness around food and farmers.
Other track Innovators in EMPOWER, SERVE and TEACH to be announced in the coming weeks.
Endorsed by SLOW MONEY North Texas and brought to you by Dallas Social Venture Partners. Website: http://www.bigbangtx.org/ Twitter: @bBANGtx
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
bigBANG! 2011 Spices Things Up with The Selection of NOURISH Innovators
DALLAS – April 5, 2011 – Five innovative organizations that focus on different aspects of local food issues have been selected to appear on the NOURISH 2011 Fast Pitch Stage during the June 16th bigBang! forum. The one-day event brings together innovative nonprofit groups, investors, socially conscious businesses, philanthropists, foundations and social entrepreneurs for maximum social impact.
These NOURISH innovators are at various stages of organizational development. An appearance on the bigBang! Fast Pitch stage will help the NOURISH innovators share their ideas with impact investors and donors from North Texas who are keen on funding new and different ways of doing good.
The newly selected NOURISH Innovators are:
Cafe Momentum – A seed stage idea that would create a restaurant connected to local farmers, producers and chefs. Cafe Momentum will employ those who seek a second chance in life. By learning all aspects of the food industry and apprenticing under local chefs and restaurateurs, Cafe Momentum will help drive economic development, provide pathways out of poverty and create market demand for fresh local foods.
The Movement – A for-profit business model, The Movement approaches health in a holistic way that drives a triple bottom line business. The entry level offering of The Movement is a fitness club, but clients find a much different experience that involves a more community focused approach to health that educates them about the importance of nutrition and quality fresh food. By creating a demand through co-op services and ready-made meals, The Movement is creating a regional market demand for farm fresh foods.
Dallas Farmers Market Trust – A group that is attempting to privatize the Dallas Farmers Market to preserve value and heritage of this cultural asset while ensuring that that a thriving Farmers Market continues to operate near downtown Dallas. Through a proposed private/public partnership that involves city, for-profit development and nonprofit programming, these leaders see an opportunity to revitalize a space around food, community and farmers.
Paul Quinn College – Food for Good Farm – The food needs of the college’s surrounding food community, officially classified as an “Urban Food Dessert,” led to the decision for Paul Quinn College to plow up the football field and turn it into a farm. This move transformed an existing underutilized resource and into something with new value of the community. Through its curriculum of sustainable agriculture and social entrepreneurship, this innovator is creating systemic change with a new generation of college students!
Sustainable Food Center – This Austin, Texas Innovator features a statewide vision for “Food Security”. Focused on seed-to-table education to help Texans grow their own food, access farmers and create healthy kitchens, they envision a way to connect quality fresh food to our families who have the least access. By replicating their programming throughout the state, they have a potential to grow a base of constituents that can help influence policy and ensure a bigger Texas vision for our food system.
The NOURISH Cause Track is chaired by Bob Wright, the founder of Dallas Social Venture Partners. DSVP is a charter member of Social Venture Partners International, a network of twenty-six social venture partnerships around the globe. Mr. Wright is also founding board member of SVPI and served as its president for three years, and continues as past president. He also serves on the board of the OneStar Foundation, co-authored a book, “The Little Green Book of Venture Philanthropy” and is an adjunct professor at the University of Texas at Dallas, where he teaches Entrepreneurship in the Social Sector. Bob is also an attorney in the software space.
The official Endorser of the NOURISH Cause Track is Slow Money Texas, an alliance that promotes investment in environmentally, socially and culturally sustainable food systems throughout the State of Texas.
Along with NOURISH, the bigBang! 2011 Pitch Stage will feature yet-to-be-selected Innovators from three additional Cause Tracks. EMPOWER (issues affecting women and girls), TEACH (initiatives impacting our citizens and their opportunity to learn), NOURISH (a mix of nonprofit and for profit ventures with an emphasis on local food) and SERVE (featuring North Texas’ most impactful Corporate Social Responsibility programs).
All of the innovators will receive expert coaching and will employ tactics from the world of venture capital fundraising to make sure their “ask” is on target and well-delivered so that it hits home with an audience that is ready to help them put their plans into motion.
Details:
bigBang! 2011
When: Thursday, June 16, 2011 9am – 5pm
Where: Union Station, 400 S. Houston St., Dallas, TX 75202
Who: Innovative nonprofit groups and socially conscious businesses, investors, philanthropists, foundations and social entrepreneurs
Why: 4 Causes + 20 Social Innovators x 1 Pitch Stage = Maximum Social Impact. bigBang! 2011 will offer a marketplace for individuals, foundations and businesses to window-shop and bump into the most innovative nonprofits and social entrepreneurs in our region creating an optimum environment for doing good in North Texas.
How to Attend: Visit http://www.bigbangtx.org/ to register and get more information.
About bigBANG!
bigBANG! is a forum hosted by Dallas Social Venture Partners that brings together innovative nonprofit groups, investors, socially conscious businesses, philanthropists, foundations and social entrepreneurs. bigBang! strives to create positive impact in the Dallas-area and beyond through networking and the sharing of ideas and experiences.
About DSVP
DSVP is a partnership of professionals, social entrepreneurs and foundations who are committed to strengthening our community through the thoughtful application of collective dollars and business expertise. DSVP is comprised of 123 partners and works with a current portfolio of nine nonprofit investments to create positive social impact. For additional information, please call (214) 855-5520 or visit http://www.dsvp.org/.
These NOURISH innovators are at various stages of organizational development. An appearance on the bigBang! Fast Pitch stage will help the NOURISH innovators share their ideas with impact investors and donors from North Texas who are keen on funding new and different ways of doing good.
The newly selected NOURISH Innovators are:
Cafe Momentum – A seed stage idea that would create a restaurant connected to local farmers, producers and chefs. Cafe Momentum will employ those who seek a second chance in life. By learning all aspects of the food industry and apprenticing under local chefs and restaurateurs, Cafe Momentum will help drive economic development, provide pathways out of poverty and create market demand for fresh local foods.
The Movement – A for-profit business model, The Movement approaches health in a holistic way that drives a triple bottom line business. The entry level offering of The Movement is a fitness club, but clients find a much different experience that involves a more community focused approach to health that educates them about the importance of nutrition and quality fresh food. By creating a demand through co-op services and ready-made meals, The Movement is creating a regional market demand for farm fresh foods.
Dallas Farmers Market Trust – A group that is attempting to privatize the Dallas Farmers Market to preserve value and heritage of this cultural asset while ensuring that that a thriving Farmers Market continues to operate near downtown Dallas. Through a proposed private/public partnership that involves city, for-profit development and nonprofit programming, these leaders see an opportunity to revitalize a space around food, community and farmers.
Paul Quinn College – Food for Good Farm – The food needs of the college’s surrounding food community, officially classified as an “Urban Food Dessert,” led to the decision for Paul Quinn College to plow up the football field and turn it into a farm. This move transformed an existing underutilized resource and into something with new value of the community. Through its curriculum of sustainable agriculture and social entrepreneurship, this innovator is creating systemic change with a new generation of college students!
Sustainable Food Center – This Austin, Texas Innovator features a statewide vision for “Food Security”. Focused on seed-to-table education to help Texans grow their own food, access farmers and create healthy kitchens, they envision a way to connect quality fresh food to our families who have the least access. By replicating their programming throughout the state, they have a potential to grow a base of constituents that can help influence policy and ensure a bigger Texas vision for our food system.
The NOURISH Cause Track is chaired by Bob Wright, the founder of Dallas Social Venture Partners. DSVP is a charter member of Social Venture Partners International, a network of twenty-six social venture partnerships around the globe. Mr. Wright is also founding board member of SVPI and served as its president for three years, and continues as past president. He also serves on the board of the OneStar Foundation, co-authored a book, “The Little Green Book of Venture Philanthropy” and is an adjunct professor at the University of Texas at Dallas, where he teaches Entrepreneurship in the Social Sector. Bob is also an attorney in the software space.
The official Endorser of the NOURISH Cause Track is Slow Money Texas, an alliance that promotes investment in environmentally, socially and culturally sustainable food systems throughout the State of Texas.
Along with NOURISH, the bigBang! 2011 Pitch Stage will feature yet-to-be-selected Innovators from three additional Cause Tracks. EMPOWER (issues affecting women and girls), TEACH (initiatives impacting our citizens and their opportunity to learn), NOURISH (a mix of nonprofit and for profit ventures with an emphasis on local food) and SERVE (featuring North Texas’ most impactful Corporate Social Responsibility programs).
All of the innovators will receive expert coaching and will employ tactics from the world of venture capital fundraising to make sure their “ask” is on target and well-delivered so that it hits home with an audience that is ready to help them put their plans into motion.
Details:
bigBang! 2011
When: Thursday, June 16, 2011 9am – 5pm
Where: Union Station, 400 S. Houston St., Dallas, TX 75202
Who: Innovative nonprofit groups and socially conscious businesses, investors, philanthropists, foundations and social entrepreneurs
Why: 4 Causes + 20 Social Innovators x 1 Pitch Stage = Maximum Social Impact. bigBang! 2011 will offer a marketplace for individuals, foundations and businesses to window-shop and bump into the most innovative nonprofits and social entrepreneurs in our region creating an optimum environment for doing good in North Texas.
How to Attend: Visit http://www.bigbangtx.org/ to register and get more information.
About bigBANG!
bigBANG! is a forum hosted by Dallas Social Venture Partners that brings together innovative nonprofit groups, investors, socially conscious businesses, philanthropists, foundations and social entrepreneurs. bigBang! strives to create positive impact in the Dallas-area and beyond through networking and the sharing of ideas and experiences.
About DSVP
DSVP is a partnership of professionals, social entrepreneurs and foundations who are committed to strengthening our community through the thoughtful application of collective dollars and business expertise. DSVP is comprised of 123 partners and works with a current portfolio of nine nonprofit investments to create positive social impact. For additional information, please call (214) 855-5520 or visit http://www.dsvp.org/.
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