Doing Good Better

Social Innovation Lunch Series - Spring 2012

2012-01-12T12:16:00.000-08:00

Dallas Social Venture Partners is excited, no ecstatic, to announce our third Social Innovation Lunch Series. What started as a monthly First Friday luncheon has evolved into a community gathering of change-agents who want to engage differently in advancing “good” in our region. The series will take place the first half of 2012, kicking of in January.

What is Social Innovation really?
Social Innovation is a theme that is not always understood. But in fact, communities and organizations are working differently to address some of our toughest challenges. What are the cutting edge ideas and tools that philanthropists, foundations, nonprofit leaders, and corporations can use to be a part of this exciting new frontier in the social sector?

What will I learn?
This is a must-attend series of thoughtful leaders who already have advanced the conversation in our nation around socially innovative ideas. Those who attend will have access to cutting edge ideas on mobilizing action, resourcing and financing innovative ideas, harnessing technology, and freeing nonprofits from restraints.

Who Should Come?
Those who believe that North Texas is a thriving region with strong businesses and socially innovative nonprofits that are effective. We recommend those who want to give back to the community, business and corporate leaders who seek a positive social impact alongside economic development, civic leaders who want to think differently, non-profit leaders who are innovative and anyone else who believes in the serious business of "good."

What inspired this Speaker Series?
DSVP leaders get to bump into all sorts of thought leaders at conferences and through our network. Many of these speakers have been selected for a particular book or article they have written and the ideas that they carry. We will post more information and links to the pre-reading that is not necessary, but recommended if you want to be a social innovation aficionado.

Where is this happening and how do I buy the Series?
The beautiful Tower Club at Thanksgiving Tower is where this series will be held. And you can buy your series tickets here!

Who are the Rock Star Sponsors who helped make this happen?

Boone Family Foundation
The Center on Communities & Education at the Annette Caldwell Simmons School of Education & Human Development

Commit!

United Way of Metropolitan Dallas

Partner Profile: Allen Hudson

2011-11-21T08:00:00.000-08:00

Originally from Alabama, Allen's family moved to Dallas in 1972. He graduated from Richardson High School in 1979 and received his BA degree from Baylor University a BA Degree with a major in Finance and his MBA in 1984.

Allen is the President of the Dallas Banking Center for North Dallas Bank & Trust Co. whose mission includes the desire of the institution and employees to "to provide excellent service to our customers and communities." Allen believes that through DSVP, both he and the Bank can find expression of that desire to serve our community.

In his leisure time he enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading and time outdoors. When asked about his hobbies, Allen commented, "I spend time at the gym because I have to, however I hope to have a lot more hobbies when my two kids graduate from college."

Allen met his wife of 26 years Kristi while in graduate school at Baylor. They have two children, one in school at Texas A&M and the other at UT Austin.

My New Favorite Book

2011-11-17T11:57:00.000-08:00

The End of Fundraising, Raise More Money by Selling Your Impact

Author: Jason Saul

A review by Stacy Caldwell, President of Dallas Social Venture Partners

I wish this book had a different title. Although catchy for many in our nonprofit sector, I tend to think the title doesn't communicate what this book so simply provides: a guide for nonprofits to jump into the Social Capital Markets (SCM).

This wonderful primer explores what constitutes the SCM and how to best position your nonprofit mission in that new frontier. Jason Saul not only addresses one the most difficult and challenging aspects of the philanthropy/charity equation, but he masterfully shines a light on the growing opportunities to lead with impact and help our missions to find our "Impact Buyers." By guiding us though the shift in thinking from values to value-driven missions, he outlines new innovative capital opportunities and expansive stakeholder thinking.

I found this book to be extremely poignant in today's transitional space between traditional charity/philanthropy approach and the emerging frontier of social capital markets. If you are interested in the next wave of social sector ideas and want to be on the cutting edge of strategies for nonprofits, this is a must read!

Juicy tidbits:

Don't change the donor, just change donors!

Deliver economic value, articulate your value and swim upstream with impact buyers

6 Implications of the growing social capital markets:

1. OK to expect economic return from doing good

2. Donors are acting like consumers

3. Measurement is no longer optional

4. Everyone must be a social entrepreneur

5. New stakeholders have different expectations of impact

6. Higher expectations of value require greater innovation

What it is not:

-It's not about making nonprofits run like businesses. It's about bringing nonprofits into the business world

-It's not about changing foundation and donor behavior, it's about engaging new and different "impact buyers"

-It's not about about "Social Return on Investment", it's about outcomes

-It's not about building "philanthropic capital markets", it's about finding the inherent value in the existing markets

Evaluation and Measurement are not the same.

An Activity is WHAT you do; an outcome is the RESULT of what you do.

Your measures need to be credible, practical and relevant.

Outcomes can be measured by:

Individual - Change of Status (Condition, behavior or status)

Organizational - ROI - increased revenues, improved reputation

Systemic - Systemic Change - changed policies, better incentives and increased investments

Value is based on the utility of the outcomes produced, because impact is being "purchased" by stakeholders who have a direct (not a theoretical) interest in the results. Therefore measurement, is by necessity, much more organic.

The trend is growing toward outcomes-based budgeting in federal and state government, and this will create even more discrete value-creation opportunities for nonprofits.

Meet the new stakeholders:

From: Beneficiaries, Board, Donors, Government, Foundation

To: Corporate Partners, Beneficiaries that can pay, Social Investors, Services Providers, Upstream "Consumers", Corporate Partners

Determine Who are Your Impact Buyers?

Ideation Challenge to nonprofits and SVPs:

Bring together a group of up to 20 diverse community friends and take an hour to explore and ideate on the following challenge. Give yourself a time limit of no more than one hour, perhaps over a brown-bag lunch!

How do we bring our nonprofits into the business markets by identifying new stakeholders in which our missions deliver value?

1. Expansive Stakeholder Exercise: Take 20 minutes to brainstorm who are the new stakeholders in the community and beyond who have a "vested interest" in the success of their mission? Chapter 4 defines these as Service Providers, Upstream Consumers, Corporate Partners, Beneficiaries that Pay, and Social Investors.

2. With each of these stakeholder groups, how does our nonprofit's mission do one of the following (ref. pg. 84-86):

-produce a direct economic impact for them

-act as a necessary predicate to achieve an economic advantage

-produce a desirable social change to which someone attaches financial value

Partner Profile: Carl Dorvil

2011-11-16T19:56:00.000-08:00

Carl Dorvil grew up in Garland and graduated in 2005 from SMU with a Triple Major in Public Policy, Economics, and Psychology, with Distinction. He then went on to graduate with his MBA in 2008 from SMU Cox School of Business. Carl began his business while in school and now serves as CEO of Group Excellence, a for-profit company that serves youth through mentoring and tutoring.

When asked what brings him to DSVP, Carl responds, "I have been blessed with many different experiences and opportunities, and if I can pass along something significant to someone else, I should do it. He then adds, Bob Wright and George Ellis were key influences in that decision too!

Carl is an impressive motivational speaker and enjoys performing magic tricks!

Carl is married with two beautiful children - Carl and Kara are celebrating their daughters birthday with a spirit of philanthropy by opening a fund at Charity Water - to help families that do not have access to clean drinking water. An interesting tid-bit about one of our newest members...Carl can speak french and creole fluently, AND, the Dallas Business Journal named him one of the 40 under 40 this year.

Partner Profile: Marti Royer

2011-11-16T19:52:00.001-08:00

Marti Royer’s career is anchored in the philanthropic world, as the Executive Director of the Redman Foundation in Dallas, a $7 million organization which funded some 35 non-profits in 2010. After a career in the technology industry as well as the non-profit world, and earning her MSW, she joined Redman in 2007. Like many foundations, Redman does not accept unsolicited grant requests – so a large part of Marti’s work there has her actively searching for non-profits which fit the Foundation’s mission of supporting a variety of charitable activities including early childhood education, job training, food and shelter, and community programs. Serving on DSVP’s Investment Committee has enabled her to leverage her search efforts on behalf of the Foundation, by identifying a number of candidates worthy of funding through the Committee’s extensive vetting process.

Marti joined DSVP in 2010, not long after attending the inaugural bigBANG! event. While she had been aware of DSVP’s work before that time, she was so impressed by what she saw at bigBANG! that it became the catalyst for her becoming a Partner herself. She immediately joined DSVP’s Investment Committee, then added the Community Relations Team, and has been consistently impressed by the level of intellect brought to the table by all of the Partners; the different points of view add up to a wealth of insights that Marti finds fascinating as well as exciting.

Her view is that philanthropy is so much more interesting when people get together to offer knowledge and guidance rather than just financial support alone; the collective brainpower of the Partners is a big help in sorting through all of the potential Investees, but that same expertise -- in terms of business advice and technical advice -- is leveraged further by the DSVP approach of making a multi-year commitment to its Investees. Of her Partnership experience to date, she says "There are many opportunities to serve as a volunteer in the community. What makes DSVP different is the collaboration of volunteers to build effectiveness and efficiencies of nonprofit organizations serving children."

Keith Beers

2011-11-11T08:00:00.000-08:00

Keith Beers has been a DSVP partner for three years. Through their family foundation, Keith, wife Helen Laughlin Beers, and their five sons have been supporting area nonprofits for over thirty years. They like active participation with nonprofits, not just writing checks, so DSVP was a natural fit. Keith has contributed greatly to the work of DSVP’s Portfolio Review Committee; Investment Committee; Budget, Audit and Accounting Committee and Board of Directors. He has applied his financial acumen and rigorous attention to detail.

Retired for over 40 years, Keith and Helen have traveled extensively. They owned a 500-year-old stately home in England for over 20 years, and a 100-year-old home in Texas that is on the Register of Historic Places. Keith has written over ten books, mostly on genealogy. He has documented the genealogy of four of his ancestors who were Mayflower passengers, numerous Revolutionary War Patriots, and a Jamestowne settler thought to be the subject of Shakespeare’s Tempest.

“I have enjoyed my experience with DSVP,” says Keith. “I have met many interesting and engaging partners. I continue to be amazed at the depth and variety of partner collaboration with our Investees. Through DSVP, I have been introduced to numerous effective and growing nonprofits that are trying to meet the needs of the many underprivileged in Dallas-Fort Worth.”

Partner Profile: Robin Minick

2011-11-10T08:00:00.000-08:00

Robin Minick joined DSVP in 2009 and immediately joined the Investment Committee, the vehicle DSVP uses to determine which nonprofits to add to their portfolio. She became an early champion of Dallas Community Lighthouse (DCL). DCL is an apartment-based after-school tutoring program focused on math, language arts and reading. DCL’s overall method and strategy is to look at the whole child and help the child get engaged in learning – which affects their performance in school. Once DCL was chosen, Robin became a co-Lead Partner and participated in creating a business and marketing plan to enable them to serve more children by adding more sites.

This year, Robin has increased her commitment by serving as Co-Chair, along with Dick Evans, of the Investment Committee, which will soon announce the new Investee slate for 2012. Robin additionally serves as the Director of The Real Estate Council Foundation and chairperson of the board at the Anita N. Martinez Ballet Folklorico.

Partner Profile: Barbara Errickson

2011-11-09T08:00:00.000-08:00

Barbara Errickson joined DSVP in 2009 and immediately began working with investees (nonprofit beneficiaries of DSVP’s efforts). Barbara has over 35 years of experience working with TI and EDS, among other companies. She has put that experience to use on major systems projects with, among others, KIPP DFW, Dallas After School Network (DASN), The Samaritan Inn, Youth Village Resources of Dallas and TRM. She also serves as co-lead partner for KIPP DFW, a south Dallas charter school whose mission is to provide underserved children with a free, rigorous, high quality education that offers the knowledge, skills and character traits necessary to thrive in school, college and the competitive world beyond. She is a shining example of how DSVP Partners bring their business skills into nonprofits to help expand their capacity to serve.

When asked about her “ultimate giving goal,” Barbara had this to say:

“I want to utilize 35-years of professional experiences in support of not-for-profit community growth. We may all be created equal in the sense that with equal upbringing and support we have an equal chance to succeed, but the fact is, not all of us have the kind of supportive family that I have. I'd like to help spread some of that "equal" support to the less fortunate but potentially talented among us.”

Partner Profile: Dick and Lisa Evans

2011-11-08T08:00:00.000-08:00

Frisco resident Dick Evans and his daughter, Lakewood resident Lisa Evans, have come up with a new way to spend quality father-daughter time: in engaged philanthropy. Dick is CEO of Proliance Resource Group and has been a partner in DSVP since 2007. He has served on the Board of Directors since 2010, and has also served as co-chair of the committee which determines which nonprofits will receive grants. Dick has also worked extensively with two grantees: Vision Regeneration, a South-Dallas based group whose mission is to eradicate gang violence, and KIPP DFW, an Oak Cliff-based charter school whose mission is to provide underserved children with a free, rigorous, high-quality education.

But Dick has gone beyond his own efforts—he recruited his daughter, Lisa Evans, to be a co-partner with him. An account manager for Behringer-Harvard, Lisa spearheaded the development of a marketing campaign for VMLC (formerly known as Vickery Meadow Learning Center), including launching a new name and logo. She also participated in a door-to-door recruiting campaign for KIPP DFW, accompanying several DSVP partners as they knocked on doors to spread the word about the possibilities KIPP offers. Said Lisa of the experience, “everyone we spoke to was very interested in learning more about KIPP. They really liked the sound of a free, college preparatory school that would help their children receive a higher level of education and help them with character traits that would set them up for success in life.”

Dick comments that “Engaged Philanthropy is not reserved just for those in the later stages of life or those with years of “life experience”. Younger people not only bring energy but also a fresh perspective in how they look at opportunities and challenges. DSVP is a great way to introduce them to the various ways they can share this with their communities.”

VMLC

2011-11-06T20:45:00.000-08:00

If you missed last week's DSVP Luncheon, featuring VMLC, take a moment to learn more about their mission through this short video.

VMLC VIDEO LINK

Partner Profile: Elaine Bernstein

2011-11-05T08:00:00.000-07:00

Addison resident Elaine Bernstein moved to North Texas in 2009 when she semi-retired from her labor and employment law practice in Dayton, Ohio. Drawn by the desire to be closer to her daughter and grandchildren, Elaine also quickly established new personal, professional and philanthropic networks. She joined DSVP and immediately went to work putting her professional skills to use helping several Investees (nonprofit beneficiaries of DSVP’s efforts) develop human resources policies and manuals.

Elaine has also become Co-Lead Partner of VMLC, whose mission is to improve English literacy levels among non-English speaking adults and their children by providing programs in communications and life skills. Elaine is helping advance their vision that the ability to understand, read, write and speak English contributes to the independence, productivity and overall well-being of the learners, their families and the greater community.

Partner Profile: Scott Chase

2011-11-04T08:00:00.000-07:00

Dallas attorney Scott Chase has been a partner with DSVP since 2007. Already a veteran of years of nonprofit involvement in the Dallas community, Scott viewed DSVP as the perfect avenue to blend his expertise and dollars with like-minded philanthropists to create an even greater impact on the community.

During his participation on the Investment Committee (the vehicle that DSVP partners use to select their nonprofit investees), Scott had the opportunity to make an even-deeper connection with Youth Village Resources, for whom he had previously provided pro bono legal advice. YVR provides job training programs, including dog training and culinary training, for residents of Dallas County Youth Village, a county detention facility for nonviolent young offenders. Scott has served as co-lead partner for YVR for three years. With DSVP’s help, YVR has undergone truly transformative organizational change, including building a robust board and strategic plan. Armed with a recent University of Texas at Dallas study (spearheaded by DSVP) which demonstrates the powerful results YVR’s training programs have on recidivism and employment prospects for program graduates, YVR is putting the finishing touches on an aggressive fundraising strategy.

Metrics are, of course, wonderful, but for Scott, the real payoff comes in hearing the stories of the impact on individual young men. A young man was recently asked what he learned from the dog training program. He thought about for a minute and said, “I learned you don’t have to abuse your kids.”

Partner Profile: Susie Morrissey

2011-11-03T08:00:00.000-07:00

Susie Morrissey joined DSVP in 2006 and has been tireless in offering her assistance to our Investees (e.g. nonprofit beneficiaries of DSVP’s efforts) – especially by her ongoing participation in the Investment Committee, the vehicle DSVP uses to determine which nonprofits to take into their portfolio. A successful entrepreneur, Susie has a wide range of skills sets that she brings to organizations. She has been a Lead Partner several times, and most recently serves as the Co-Lead Partner, along with Murray Covens, at PediPlace – whose mission is to provide quality healthcare to children with limited access to care. She takes great pride in helping organizations create systems that improve their efficiency and help them make a more powerful impact in the communities they serve.

Partner Profile: Phyllis and Richard Bernstien

2011-11-02T00:00:00.001-07:00

Prestonwood residents Phyllis and Richard Bernstein are avid travelers. They've gone on many journeys together, including to such exotic locations as Antarctica and the Arctic. And now that Richard has sold his successful business valuation firm and retired, he's joined Phyllis in another important journey—becoming an engaged philanthropist.

Phyllis, who stopped working as an audiologist to raise her children, has long played a prominent leadership role in Dallas nonprofit circles, including with The Volunteer Center of North Texas and the Center for Nonprofit Management. In 2011, Phyllis was honored for "Excellence in Mentoring" by the 46th Annual Women's Symposium at SMU. Phyllis carried the Olympic Torch after Troy Aikman passed it to her. The Dallas Morning News has recognized Phyllis as Volunteer of the Year.

Phyllis and Richard joined Dallas Social Venture Partners, a group which invests both time and expertise in helping nonprofits build capacity, in 2007, and quickly became one of DSVP's "power couples." Richard has lent his financial expertise to several of DSVP's grantees, including Youth Village Resource Center, and has also served on DSVP's Finance and Audit Committee and the committee that regularly reviews DSVP's portfolio of grants. Phyllis recently became the "co-lead partner" for VMLC, one of DSVP's newest grantees. (Lead partners act as liaison between the nonprofit grantee and the team of DSVP partners who are providing professional services to address specific needs of the nonprofit).

As you can see from this photograph, Phyllis and Richard are still enjoying their journey together!

Partner Profile: John Palter

2011-11-01T00:00:00.000-07:00

Park Cities resident John Palter wears many hats — trial attorney, devoted dad and committed cyclist. This June, he wore yet another hat: social innovation promoter. John, who is the past board chair of DSVP, co-chaired bigBANG! 2011 at Union Station in Dallas. In its second year, bigBANG! convened a community of foundations, investors, philanthropists, entrepreneurs, and nonprofit leaders to solve social problems through the collaborative application of innovative business practices.

When asked why social innovation is important, John said: "bigBANG! aligns the community around a compelling societal goal to achieve leveraged and measurable impact. Through collective innovation by the private sector, urgent social problems may be addressed effectively on national scale.”

2011 Fall First Friday Series

2011-08-11T08:35:00.000-07:00

Dallas Social Venture Partners is proud to announce that the 2011 Fall First Friday Series will take place at Tower Club Dallas! Lunch series tickets are available now. An early bird discount is available to those who purchase the series before September 8th, 2011.

DSVP will feature a series dedicated to the core mission of work.
Check out the list of exciting topics that DSVP will cover this Fall. Register Today to reserve your spot!

September 9, 2011 - DSVP Portfolio Review:Focus and Impact
Portfolio Review Committee-Update

October 7, 2011 - TRM:Tutor, Read, Mentor
New Investee Update

November 4, 2011 - VMLC
New Investee Update

December 2, 2011 - DSVP Annual Luncheon

Register Here!
All events will be held at Tower Club Dallas - 1601 Elm Street, Dallas, TX. 75201
Early Bird Lunch Series Tickets (4 Luncheons): $80-Partners&Investees, $100-Community
Individual Ticket Costs: $25-Partners&Investees, $30-Community

BigBANG a BIG success!

2011-06-27T07:14:00.000-07:00

On June 17, 2011 hundreds of people joined together at Union Station to help DSVP celebrate our second annual BigBANG event. We learned that Travelocity offers more Green hotel options than anyone else, that Mary Kay focuses on ending domestic violence, that one college with a football field can grow up to 2500 pounds of food like Paul Quinn College, and that if you empower a woman you empower her family. Thanks to our partners, sponsors, and innovators alike, we were able to make BigBANG a BIG success. Too read more about what BIG things took place at BigBANG, check us out in the Dallas Morning News here: http://bit.ly/jixdmT, the Dallas Observer here: http://bit.ly/jRgabo, or see what some of our innovators like President J. Sorrell from Paul Quinn College had to say here: http://bit.ly/j0N39d. And don't forget to get out and Spark Some Good!

BREAKING NEWS : bigBANG! Rescheduled to FRIDAY, June 17!

2011-06-15T08:01:00.000-07:00

Due to the unforeseen Mavericks Celebration Parade, we at DSVP have determined best to reschedule bigBANG! 2011 by one day, to Friday, June 17. We’ll maintain the exact same schedule as planned. Doors at 8am, with registration starting at 8:15. All the details here: www.bigbangtx.org
After running through multiple scenarios and weighing safety, cost and viability, it is determined that trying to keep the event intact on June 16 when 250,000 Mavericks fans are estimated to arrive on the very block Union Station is located, is foolhardy at best.

http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfairpark/2011/06/everything_you_need_to_know_ab_1.php

We explored keeping the same day with the Mayor’s office, the traffic officers and our key advisors. We also explored a truncated day, alternative locations, and moving the date to another month. After much deliberation, and many phone calls, Friday keeps our momentum, our menu of custom grown food, most of our speakers, volunteers, staff and hopefully YOU, our audience.

Inspired by the spirit of the Dallas Mavericks and their ability to pull out all the stops in the final moments of their game; we too feel motivated to give bigBANG! 2011 our best effort.

So we hope to see you there. We will be there ready to give you the best socially innovative event ever held. Should you have any problems, please come and see us at the “YES” table. It will be right next to registration. This will be helpful should you send someone in your place. No matter what, should you not be able to attend, we will have live streaming all day on Friday: http://bigbangtx.org/this-space-reserved-for-live-web-streaming-on-june-16/

It’s on! FRIDAY!

Your friends at DSVP

Double Your Investment! Double Your Impact!

2011-05-13T10:03:00.000-07:00

For every dollar that you donate between now and June 30, 2011, KIPP:DFW will receive TWO dollars up to a total of $125,000!

DONATE!

KIPP:DFW is grateful to the generous donors who made this matching grant possible.

In honor of the tremendous difference our teachers make, KIPP:DFW has extended Teacher Appreciation Week into Teacher Appreciation Month! Please donate today in honor of a teacher who inspired you and to support our inspiring teachers at KIPP:DFW.

Your Contribution Promotes KIPP:DFW "extras" such as extended school hours (30 percent more than neighborhood schools), educational field lessons and college visits, and the ongoing support that helps urban students gain acceptance to high-performing high schools and colleges.

KIPP:DFW is part of the nationally renowned Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP), a frequent newsmaker whose groundbreaking work is championed in The New York Times Bestsellers, Work Hard. Be Nice. and Outliers: The Story of Success, and the recent documentary, Waiting for “Superman."

Where only 65 percent of neighborhood students graduate high school and 50 percent go on to college, 95 percent of KIPPsters nationally graduate and 85 percent go on to college.

KIPP:DFW’s mission is to provide underserved children with a free, rigorous, high-quality education that offers the knowledge, skills and character traits necessary to thrive in school, college and the competitive world beyond.

More at www.facebook.com/KIPPdfw
or http://www.kipptruth.com/

SVP: Beyond a start up...

2011-04-19T22:37:00.000-07:00

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/

SVP - Global Brand Strategy

2011-04-15T06:32:00.001-07:00

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!

Mayoral Candidate Forum

2011-04-07T11:06:00.001-07:00

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.

Robert Egger Announces bigBANG! NOURISH Track

2011-04-07T09:00:00.000-07:00

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

bigBANG! 2011 Spices Things Up with The Selection of NOURISH Innovators

2011-04-05T12:32:00.000-07:00

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/.

KIPP Neighborhood Canvassing Event

2011-03-22T09:20:00.000-07:00

DSVP Partner, Lisa Evans, reflects on recent KIPP recruiting event:

This weekend I volunteered to help with a neighborhood outreach recruitment event for KIPP Truth Academy. A mix of DSVP partners, friends of DSVP partners, parents of current KIPP students, and KIPP staff convened at the Dallas KIPP Campus on Saturday morning. We met for a brief training session before we were paired up and set loose in surrounding neighborhoods to help recruit new students for the upcoming 2011-2012 school year that starts on June 9th.

During our 20-30 minute orientation we learned about the many benefits KIPP provides to students and parents of students that choose to enroll in KIPP’s rigorous college preparatory curriculum. Since KIPP Truth Academy goes from 5th through 8th Grade, we targeted households that had a 4th Grader in them. Most of KIPP's openings for new students are in 5th Grade, since most students stay until they go to high school. We learned that KIPP graduates usually get accepted into a high school far superior to DISD high schools. They read us an impressive list of the private schools, boarding schools, magnet schools and college preparatory schools that many of the current KIPP 8th grade class had just got accepted to.

Preparing the students with the tools they need to get accepted into an exemplary high school is just one of the benefits KIPP offers. They visit 9 or 10 colleges and universities during their time at KIPP, going on annual educational trips to places like Washington DC, San Antonio and Colorado. Students also receive guidance applying to universities and for financial aid their Junior year in high school.

So now that we were all well-informed about the benefits of KIPP and knew that our goal was to educate parents on these benefits, encourage them to attend an open house next week to learn more, or to have them fill out an enrollment form right then and there, we set off to our assigned houses. To my surprise, everyone we spoke to had already heard of KIPP and were very interested in learning more. They really liked the sound of a free, college preparatory school that would help their children receive a higher level of education and help them with character traits that would set them up for success in life. We had many parents tell us they would definitely be attending the open house on March 22nd and even walked away with 2 enrollment forms for a 4th and 5th grader.

I walked away wishing we could have reached more people that morning, but felt great about the parents we were able to speak to in hopes that their children would join KIPP, and greatly improve their chances of receiving a college education and experiencing success far beyond that as well. This event allowed me to gain knowledge and a much greater appreciation for what KIPP does for children and families of the underprivileged who, based on statistics, would most likely never receive a college degree and I’m very grateful I was able to be a part of it!

DSVP Tours New Investees

2011-03-21T17:00:00.000-07:00

DSVP Partner, C. Albert Tatum, III, reflects on recent tour:

Thank you for guiding us through Trinity River Mission and Vickery Meadows Learning Center. Reading about our Investees and having them come to First Fridays imparts some feeling as to what they are all about, but nothing can come close to seeing them in action.

Almost all of us became DSVP Partners because of our interest in engaged philanthropy. But then, with limited time, it's difficult to truly engage with very many Investees. DSVP tours bridge that gap by delivering maximum exposure in a very efficient time frame. I love 'em.

Dallas Social Venture Partners Hosts Robert Egger, Founder DC Central Kitchen, V3

2011-03-18T12:00:00.000-07:00

Nationally Recognized Nonprofit Leader Established Nation’s First Community Kitchen and Organization to Ensure Elected Officials Stand Up for Nonprofits

DALLAS – March, 18, 2011 – On Friday, April 1, Robert Egger, Founder and President of the nationally acclaimed DC Central Kitchen and founder of the V3 Campaign will be the featured speaker at the Dallas Social Venture Partners (DSVP) First Friday Luncheon at the Tower Club in Dallas.

Mr. Egger has been named one of the “50 Most Powerful and Influential” nonprofit leaders by the Nonprofit Times and is authored one book on nonprofit management. He speaks across the country and internationally on hunger, sustainability,

DC Central Kitchen is the nation’s first “community kitchen,” where food donated by hospitality businesses and farms is used for a culinary arts training program where unemployed men and women learn marketable skills while converting the donated food into balanced meals.

The Kitchen has produced over 23 million meals and helped 800 men and women gain employment since it opened in 1989. The Kitchen operates its own revenue generating business, Fresh Start Catering as well as the Campus Kitchens Project, which coordinates similar recycling, meal programs in college and high school-based kitchens.

The V3 Campaign – for Voice, Vote, Value – is an organization that strives to make the voice of social enterprise and non-profit movement heard during elections while remaining within IRS code for 501c3 as written. This movement ensures that elected officials will understand and stand up for nonprofit organizations.

The theme of the luncheon is “Getting it Right, a Statewide Vision for Impact,” a look at the state of nonprofits in Texas and discussion of how this sector is relevant to our quality of life and economic development.

The First Friday monthly luncheon series informs DSVP Partners and community members about socially innovative ideas that are advancing the nonprofit sector and the Dallas community.

Event: DSVP First Friday Luncheon Series featuring Robert Egger, DC Central Kitchen Founder and President

When: Friday, April 1, 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Where: Tower Club Dallas
Thanksgiving Tower
1601 Elm Street, 48th Floor
Dallas, TX 75201

Cost: $25 for DSVP Partners, $30 for non-partners

Registration: http://www.eventbrite.com/event/1058964391

Questions: Contact Meghan Hale mhale@dsvp.org or call (214) 855-5520

SVPI coordinating with SVP Tokyo affiliate to collect and channel community donations for Japan earthquake relief

2011-03-15T09:37:00.000-07:00

On the heels of Friday's mammoth 8.9 magnitude earthquake off Japan's northeastern coast, SVP will channel donations through our Tokyo SVP Partners to ensure they are distributed to organizations taking a lead role in helping Japan's people and towns rebuild.

Weekend reports say the death toll from Japan's massive earthquake and the resulting tsunami could top 1,800 and entire cities have been destroyed. There is also growing concern about potential danger from a damaged nuclear plant.

The Social Venture Partners team on the ground in Tokyo reports that the public railway system is rapidly recovering, though the full impact in the area closest to the quake is still unclear.

People are helping each other, though there is concern over the impact of repeated exposure to video of the devastation, especially on children. Efforts to calm the situation, involving many non-government/non-profit organizations, are underway.

Social Venture Partners unique leveraged model of giving time and expertise alongside money means donations sent through SVPI to Tokyo have the potential to be worth many times the dollar amount contributed. By partnering with our affiliate in Tokyo, we hope to alleviate one of the concerns people have when donating overseas: assurance their donation is used effectively. Our Partners in Tokyo know the community, and will make sure monies are used where they're most needed. Gifts of any size are encouraged to help the victims.

DONATE NOW

Update: The Early Childhood Development Forum of SVPI

2011-02-21T14:45:00.000-08:00

By: Bob Wood

The Early Childhood Development Forum of SVPI had its second teleconference on January 12, 2011. Leading the discussion was Dr. Gina Lebedeva, from Seattle who presented on the infant brain development research taking place at I-LABS (Institute for Learning and Brain Sciences) at the University of Washington. Young children are geniuses at learning multiple languages, while adults struggle. Studies at I-Labs are beginning to help us to understand whether similar “windows of opportunity” exist for other content areas, such as social-emotional and cognitive development. Is there a critical time to learn compassion, impulse control, self-esteem or mindfulness of self and others? We focused on and were exposed to the very latest findings on windows of opportunity for language development.

Dr. Lebedeva is charged with “translating” the scientific findings of I-LABS into language understandable by policy makers such as legislators, business community and philanthropists. We witnessed first-hand her skill and knowledge as she masterfully led the discussion.

Three “takeaways” fascinated me:
1. The window for optimal language learning is extremely small (and early). The ability of Japanese and American infants to distinguish “la” from “ra” diverged rapidly between ages 8-10 months.
2. Learning uses both the computational and social aspects of the brain. Infants were exposed to the exact same language sessions, some live and some presented by video screen. Only live exposure infants learned!
3. There is no dichotomy between learning and play before age three and , because of 2 above, YOU are the best toy in the room!

It is never too late to learn. If an optimum window is missed, it is simply more difficult and less efficient.

As with all the information contributed to the Forum, slides and audio from the presentation are archived on the SVPI intranet and available to all SVP partners and investees on the site created for the ECD Forum at https://intranet.svpi.org/crossnetwork/earlychildhood/default.aspx. If you need help accessing the site, please email Rona Pryor on rona@svpi.org.

You can also click here to read more about I-LABS work.

There were about 28 people on the January call representing at least nine different cities. If you are interested in issues involving early childhood development, mark your calendar for noon on April 20 for the next SVPI ECD Forum teleconference. Details will come out well in advance of the call. There is a great chance that Dallas will be leading the discussion on a vocational Endorsement for Culturally Sensitive, Relationship-Focused Practice Promoting Infant Mental Health.

Interested in Recruiting the Next Class at KIPP TRUTH Academy?

2011-02-17T12:38:00.001-08:00

On Saturday, March 19th, DSVP partners are invited to participate in an “experience” that will bring you closer to the communities they serve and increase your awareness and understanding of the challenging process of taking their message to the community.

KIPP invites DSVP partners to join them for a 2 hour recruiting event. Partners are asked to be at the KIPP no later than 8:45 am on March 19th. There will be a brief 15 minutes overview and partners will be paired with KIPP staff. From 9:00 am to 11:00 am participants will canvass the local neighborhoods sharing the KIPP opportunity with the parents and potential KIPP’sters in those households. There is a particular need for partners and participants who are Spanish-speaking or bilingual.

Barbara Errickson and Dick Evans, DSVP lead partners for KIPP, ask for the help of our partners to get an “up close and personal” view of this experience and to see, first hand, why there is such a great need for the value KIPP brings to these communities.

WHAT: DSVP KIPP Neighborhood Student Recruiting Event

WHEN: Saturday, March 19th from 8:45 am to 11:00 am

WHERE: KIPP: Truth Academy
3200 South Lancaster Road, Suite 230-A, Dallas, 75216
(on the NE corner of Kiest & Lancaster, across the parking lot from Fiesta Grocery)
PHONE: 214-375-8326

HOW: Contact Barbara Errickson (Barbara.errickson@gmail.com) or
Dick Evans (revans@proliancerg.com) to register.

Don’t miss this opportunity to show your support, as a DSVP partner and friend, to one of our valued investees!!

Two New Investees Awarded

2011-02-15T12:32:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to DSVP’s newest Investees: Vickery Meadow Learning Center (VMLC) and Trinity River Mission (TRM) for being the 2011 recipients of Crystal Charity!

After a rigorous vetting process which included participation and support by our DSVP Partners, VMLC and TRM have been awarded grants by the highly esteemed Crystal Charity.

Since 1952, the sole purpose of The Crystal Charity Ball has been to aid, support and make contributions to children's charities in Dallas County.

To read the full story click here.

To learn more about Crystal Charity visit their website here.

Update: Room to Read school and library built with DSVP Partner support

2011-02-04T10:40:00.000-08:00

At the January Afterhours event, DSVP Partners Ginny Jackson and Steve Raab, Anne and Bob Wood, and Justin Nezda spoke about their experiences traveling to Nepal to see the Room to Read school and library built with DSVP Partner support. Guests at the Afterhours event were lucky to hear stories and see pictures of how the entire community welcomed the group and demonstrated their deep gratitude to our DSVP representatives. A big thank you to Ellen Wood for introducing DSVP to Room to Read!

Below are some reflections by Bob Wood:

What Brings You Here?
By: Bob Wood

Child of Nepal
Beautiful, round-faced child of Nepal
What brings you here today?
Was it the horn? The drum?
The excitement in the air?
The dancing? The songs?
A chance to see traditions as old as this valley?

Was it your Mother, who watches patiently
Under a tree at the back of the square
Tired, but proud
Showing her love for the school and for you
By wearing her school-blue sari
And her omnipresent smile.

What brings you here with marigolds?
What drove you to stand, shoulder to shoulder with the other children
Bedecked in blue, lining both sides of the street,
With flowers in your hands?

Was it your Father, who stayed behind
Because the harvest won’t wait?
Your Father, who carries an extra weight so his children can go,
But smiles as he contemplates proudly his children?

What brings you here to stand in the dust and the sun?
Was it your brother, who gently gathers your hand
When the movement of the crowd threatens to envelope you?
Or the teachers or the elders or the guests
Who bathe this gathering with words of encouragement and praise?

No, I think you came seeking a room to read.
A safe, quiet place where books could open a world unknown to you.
You came looking for a book, to open it and bravely step within.
And glimpse a world beyond this village.
Beautiful, round-faced, brave child of Nepal.

Get Engaged with DSVP Committees in 2011

2010-12-16T13:00:00.000-08:00

2011 DSVP Committees are now forming! See the complete list of committees and the chairs who will be leading them below. If you are a Partner and are interested in any of the following please contact Sari Raskin, Director of Engagement and Programs, at sraskin@dsvp.org.

Philanthropy Education Committee
Chair: Jim Pasant

Engagement Committee
Chair: Margery Miller

Membership
Chair: Kristi Erickson

Portfolio Review Committees
Co-Chair: Jacque Collier
Co-Chair: Debra Witter

Investment Committee
Co-Chair: Dick Evans
Co-Chair: Robin Minick

Special Opportunities Committee
Chair: Susan Hoff

Development Committee
Chair: Bob Wright

bigBANG!
Co-Chair: John Palter
Co-Chair: Bob Wright

Communications
Co-Chair: Terri Barnes
Co-Chair: Debra Witter

Finance and Audit
Chair: Justin Nezda

Calling all Partners for 2011 New Investee Engagement

2010-12-15T12:58:00.000-08:00

Engagement Planning teams are forming for Trinity River Mission and Vickery Meadow Learning Center!

Partner expertise is needed in the following areas:

Trinity River Mission

· Board Governance – Board expansion and structure

· Implementation and facilitation of new Strategic Plan

· Marketing and branding of new TRM logo

Lead Partner: Jim Pasant

Trinity River Engagement Planning meeting – Wednesday, January 12^th at 4pm

Vickery Meadow Learning Center

· Information Technology – IT plan for connection of two sites, data management, new website

· Marketing and Branding- Name change, branding/logo

· Updated Strategic Plan

Lead Partner: Elaine Bernstein

Vickery Meadow Learning Center Engagement Planning meeting – Friday, January 7^th at 2pm

If you have any questions or would like to join, please contact Sari Raskin, Director of Engagement and Programs, at sraskin@dsvp.org

2011 First Friday Lunch Series

2010-12-08T13:35:00.000-08:00

Dallas Social Venture Partners is proud to announce that the 2011 spring First Friday series will take place at Tower Club Dallas! Lunch series tickets are available now. An early bird discount is available to those who purchase the series before December 31st.

Check out the list of exciting speakers that DSVP will host this spring. Register today to reserve your spot!

January 7, 2011 “Sustainable Nonprofits: Trends in the Sector”
Gary Godsey, CEO
Susan Hoff, SR. Vice President of Community Impact
United Way of Metropolitan Dallas

February 4, 2011 “Innovation in Corporate Giving”
Laura Sanford, President
AT&T Foundation

March 4, 2011 “Corporate Social Responsibility: A Respectable Debate”
Dennis McCuistion, Host & Exec. Producer McCuistion Program
George Ellis, CFO, Global 360

April 1, 2011 “Getting it Right. A Statewide Vision for Impact”
Robert Egger, Founder & President
DC Central Kitchen and V3. Author of “Begging for Change”

May 6, 2011 “Social Innovation in North Texas”
bigBANG! Teams & Sponsors

Register Now!

All Events will be held at the Tower Club Dallas - 1601 Elm Street, Dallas, TX 75201

Early bird Series Cost: $100 for five luncheons
Individual Ticket Costs: $25 for DSVP Partners; $30 for non-Partners.

2010 Investees Announced!

2010-12-06T10:38:00.000-08:00

DSVP is excited to announce our newest Investees to the portfolio. After a thorough vetting by the Investment Committee, our partners recommended the following two organization to our Board. After approval on Thursday, the public announcement was made at our recent Annual Luncheon.

Thank you to all of our partners who served on the Investment Committee this year! We are excited to move forward with both of these new missions!

Trinity River Mission is a volunteer-based community learning center that serves 450 children per year. Trinity River Mission promotes literacy, encourages academic success and develops effective life skills among disadvantaged youth in West Dallas, in the belief that education connects us to life's possibilities. Lead Partner: Jim Pasant

Vickery Meadow Learning Center is dedicated to improving English literacy levels among non-English speaking adults and children by providing programs in communication and life skills. Vickery Meadow serves 750 adults and 200 children annually and does so in the belief that the ability to understand, read, write and speak English contributes to Independence, productivity and the overall well-being of our students, their families and the greater community. Lead Partner: Elaine Bernstein

DSVP 2011 Board of Directors

2010-12-06T10:19:00.000-08:00

Last Friday, DSVP's partnership voted in our 2011 Board of Directors. Please note that Brad Logan will be serving as Board Chair in 2011 and Susan Hoff has accepted the position of Incoming Chair for 2012. We are excited to welcome our new representatives to the board and for the continued leadership of those returning!

Keith Beers
Gary Capshaw**
Richard Evans
Kristi Erickson**
Mark Frederiksen
Susan Hoff, Chair Elect
Brad Logan, Chair
Margery Miller**
Justin Nezda*
John Palter, Immediate Past Chair***
Jim Pasant**
Brian Smith
Debra Witter
Ellen Wood
Robert Wright, II***

*Second Term
**New 2011
***Emeritus

Portfolio Review - 2010 Announcements

2010-11-18T12:50:00.000-08:00

Each year, the DSVP Portfolio Review Committee (PRC) monitors the partner engagement and investee progress within our portfolio of nonprofits that we support. Throughout the year, the committee keeps connected to the lead partners who are serving on behalf of DSVP to help track and accomplish the work of the partnership. As multi-year investments with an enagement strategy developed on the front-end, the PRC helps ensure that we are on-track over time to achieve the success we seek.

Each year, the committee makes recommendations to the board for refunding decisions and recommendations for emeritus status (when our investees sucessfully graduate). Below is the listing of active investments that will continue to be supported throughout 2011 and those who have successfully been nominated and elevated to emeritus status.

2011 Active Investments:

Newly Approved Emeirtus Investments:

Bob Wright honored with Paul Shoemaker Award

2010-11-15T12:00:00.000-08:00

DSVP's founding partner, Bob Wright was honored with the prestigious "Paul Shoemaker Award" at the recent Social Venture Partner International Annual Meeting in Long Beach, CA. Bob was surprised with a pair of inscribed high-top sneakers.

The award is given each year to the Social Venture Partner who has demonstrated consistent commitment to strengthening the SVP network and to the SVP model of engaged philanthropy, and through this, to their community. Bob is the seventh recipient of the award.

Bob was nominated by the DSVP staff and board for his dedication, vision and uncanny positivity he continues to bring to the partnership. When receiving the award, Bob humbly commented, "Who knew you could get an award for just having fun with your friends!".

Expert vs. Crowd, the SVP difference.

2010-11-12T05:49:00.000-08:00

Reading the Philanthropy 2173 post today on "The Market of Philanthropy Advisers" resonated with a vision that I think many of us have for the Social Venture Partner movement. Over the years, our various partnerships take on new communications campaigns and messaging to present a model of "engaged philanthropy" and "venture philanthropy" that in a sense is all about what Lucy Bernholtz is talking about.

Acknowledging the slow but increasing maturation of the philanthropic sector, we learn that there is still very little academic or standardization of philanthropic advising in general. Whether formal or informal, the entry level cost of becoming an adviser to the worlds wealthiest is "almost negligible".

Lucy highlights the importance of networks and social media in this field.
"But in our world today, where data are increasingly commodified and analysis/synthesis/expertise increasingly dispersed - the innovations from the bottom will - and should - affect the thinking of the top. Networks can generate more ideas, vet more ideas, and provide a more robust feedback process than any single adviser. They can mix experts and crowds."

I see this play out every day in Dallas Social Venture Partners where the crowd is the partnership trying to make a difference, not necessarily paid consultants and evaluators. The partners themselves represent a formal network among each other and a myriad of networks they bring to the table. The metrics they lead with are based in the qualitative, relationship based activities and storytelling. It makes sense, our philanthropists are among the same community they are trying to effect. And while the quantitative certainly offers the street-cred for the partnership to claim impact and victory, it is the qualitative that continues to drive the communications and influence from on-the-ground.

For more than 12 years, Social Venture Partner International has collected and captured the quantitative data that rolls up from each of the 25 cities to help prove our model as effective and impactful to the philanthropic and nonprofit sector. But the change-making work, the community impact is happening on the ground with each partnership.

Over the last couple years, we have seen several of the SVP's achieve and pass the decade mark. With that longevity, comes a robust portfolio of diverse missions that SVP partners and leaders have nurtured, grown and served. With that service comes the tribal knowledge of what works and what is innovative.

Don't miss the Final Ten Year Events in 2010!

2010-11-11T20:57:00.000-08:00

What an incredible year DSVP has enjoyed as we complete our first decade as an organization. Highlights have included a steady growth of new partners, the first bigBANG! event, a recently adopted strategic plan, and many new community connections and friends.

As the year comes to a close, we invite you to join us for two final celebration events. We hope to see you there, all friends and partners welcome!

Annual Luncheon - Reflections and Vision: DSVP at 10 Years
December 3, 11am-1pm, Tower Club
Details and RSVP Here.

Holiday Party - Let's get this party started!
December 9, 5:30pm-8:00pm, Reunion Tower
Details and RSVP Here.

DSVP adopts Strategic Plan

2010-11-11T20:06:00.000-08:00

After a four month planning process involving more than 40 partners in three different work streams, the DSVP board of directors has adopted the recommended strategic plan. The plan is a perfect balance between strategic vision around community focused leverage and impact along with partnership focused tactical programs.

Highlights from the plan include some of the following:

Partner Power - Programmatic alignment of philanthropy education, partnership recruitment and investee engagement with a new "Partner Committee".
Expanded Opportunities-Support more opportunities for our partners to have the impact they seek with a "Special Opportunities Team".
More Fuel for the Fire - Leveraging additional resources into the investee portfolio through co-investment strategies and attracting additional human capital while DSVP is actively investing in nonprofits we support through a "Community Relations Team".
Nurture the Ecosystem - Further promotion of social innovation as a strategy to engage the community, build awareness of DSVP, and nurture the ecosystem of engaged philanthropists, sustainable nonprofits and socially conscious businesses.

Staff and Board are developing work plans, budgets, committee charters and staffing models for 2011 to support these activities. Thank you to all our partners who were involved in the process. DSVP will be a stronger better organization because of this effort and vision!

2010 Investment Committee home stretch with four finalists!

2010-11-09T14:02:00.000-08:00

DSVP Partner teams are working with four Investment Committee finalists – Jubilee Community Center, Real School Gardens, Trinity River Mission and Vickery Meadow Learning Center – on Engagement Strategies and Final Presentations. The Investee Selection meeting will take place on Tuesday, November 30th from 4-8pm (RSVP here) and is open to the entire DSVP Partnership! Read below to learn a little more about our finalists...

Jubilee Community Center serves 1,027 children and 173 adults daily through programming at OM Roberts Elementary School, Davids’ Place Head Start, an afterschool program, and at ESL, literacy, and computer classes. The mission of Jubilee is to be a catalyst for community renewal and enrichment to the South Dallas/Fair Park neighborhood, with special emphasis on comprehensive, community revitalization and the education of children and adults.
www.jubileecenter.org
Lead Partner: Rod Armstrong

Real School Gardens is a grassroots gardening program that serves children 41,000 children annually in low income, urban neighborhoods by partnering with elementary school communities to design, install, and use outdoor classrooms (gardens) to improve academic achievement and promote healthy development. The mission of Real School Gardens is to cultivate relationships with elementary schools to create learning gardens that raise hope, spark imaginations, and connect children to nature.
www.realschoolgardens.org
Lead Partner: Robin Minick

Trinity River Mission is a volunteer-based community learning center that serves 450 children per year. Trinity River Mission promotes literacy, encourages academic success and develops effective life skills among disadvantaged youth in West Dallas, in the belief that education connects us to life’s possibilities.
www.trinityrivermission.org
Lead Partner: Jim Pasant

Vickery Meadow Learning Center is dedicated to improving English literacy levels among non-English speaking adults and children by providing programs in communication and life skills. Vickery Meadow serves 725 adults and 200 children annually and does so in the belief that the ability to understand, read, write and speak English contributes to independence, productivity and the overall well-being of our students, their families and the greater community.
http://www.vmlc.org/

Lead Partner: Elaine Bernstein

Once again all DSVP Partners are welcome to attend this event. Please let us know if you will be able to attend. We look forward to seeing everyone and choosing who the next Investee will be!

Golf for Good

2010-10-19T14:51:00.000-07:00

Support Youth Village Resources of Dallas on Monday, November 8 by putting your golf team together (details below). See their impact and watch this video on their dog training program: http://bit.ly/984XFn.

The Tribute Golf Club
1000 Lebanon Road
The Colony, Texas 75056

Golf Registration Fee: $120 per golfer
Golfers, in addition to supporting a great cause and having a great time, are invited to participate in a hamburger buffet at 12:00 noon which includes: hamburgers served with tomatoes, onions, pickles, and appropriate condiments, with chips, homemade cookies, and fudge brownies.

To register, please visit Youth Village on the web at: www.youthvillagefoundation.org
or contact Jerry Silhan
Phone: 214-957-7057
E-Mail: jsilhan@youthvillagefoundation.org.

NOTE: As a result of player cancellation, tournament fees will be donated to the the Youth Village Resources of Dallas

Dallas cultivates Social Entrepreneurs

2010-10-17T18:01:00.000-07:00

Social Entrepreneurship is the hottest topic around.
On October 21, four collaborating organizations invite you to hear from local social entrepreneurs on how they are developing new business strategies and models to measure a triple bottom line -measuring profits alongside social and environmental impact.

PKN Volume 5 - featuring Social Entrepreneurs
Join us on 10/21 from 6-8PM
University of Dallas

To make things interesting, all presenters will follow the Pecha Kucha format. Don't know what it is? It's 20 slides automatically rotating forward every 20 seconds. Fast, fun and informative!

Free event and wine and cheese reception to follow. Please RSVP to secure your place. See you there!

20 Burning Questions from Social Capital Markets 2010 Conference

2010-10-10T06:33:00.000-07:00

There seems to be a theme in your undergraduate studies around the learning process. You come in from highschool, all cocky, thinking you know everything. Then after your freshman year, like a stunned deer, you leave feeling humbled and as if you know nothing. Then another year passes and at the end of your sophmore year, you have just enough knowlege to formulate and ask alot of questions. You then spend your Junior year trying to answer those questions; and finally in your senior year, you start to feel cocky again...untill you land your first job and the cycle starts all over.

This year would count as my sophmore year at SOCAP10, and here are my sophmoric questions.

1. What is "syndication" as it relates to the investment world?

2. What is the UN PRI program and how are they involved in this space?

3. Is there a Responsible Endowment Coalition for Foundations?

4. With different languages between Nonprofits and Investors, what role do trustees and board members play in helping translate?

5. How will the social enterprise movement develop and solidify models that become a standard? How are existing consulting firms and universities talking to standardize language and best practices?

6. What are the incentives that will move investors, philanthropist and entrepreneurs into the Social Capital Marketplace?

7. How do Charter School Bonds work?

8. Not a question, but a great quote: "The goal is to catalyze a marketplace by crowding in competition." - William Foote, Root Capital

9. Where are the demonstrations popping up around the world and can we craft demonstrations of this activity?

10. How about scenarios? If there is not a demonstration, can we craft new scenarios?

11. Are there examples of a fund focused on one geography?

12. Who are these "Women who lend to shirtless men" on kiva.org?

13. Has anyone mapped all the Social Entrepreneur Communities bubbling up like Unreasonable Institute, B-Labs, Bizdome U, etc.?

14. Is Nick Jankel of WeCreate an Anthropologist like me? And what role do anthropologist play in the translation of these converging communities of practitioners, funders and investors?

15. How do CDFI's become a formal part of the discussion?

16. How can we create a Slow Money capter in Dallas, and how do we replicate the cool Slow Money community in Austin?

17. Where will The Hoop Fund be one year from now?

18. Why doesn't SOCAP provide a lite of twitter users related to SOCAP presenters?

19. Does Matt Bannick of Omidyar Network have a presentation for the Foundation Capital Market he can share?

20. Can Social Venture Partners launch a Mission Markets?

Uncharitable by Dan Pallotta

2010-10-01T14:23:00.000-07:00

Recently, I had the pleasure of meeting and hearing Dan Pallotta present at the Texas Nonprofit Summit.

Dan Pallotta is an expert in nonprofit sector innovation and a pioneering social entrepreneur. He is the founder of Pallotta TeamWorks, which invented the multi-day AIDSRides and Breast Cancer 3-Days. He is the president of Springboard and the author of Uncharitable: How Restraints on Nonprofits Undermine Their Potential.

He is an inspiring presenter who is working to revolutionize the social sector by changing perception on how nonprofits should operate and the expectations that we as donors and funders have in those missions.

I encourage everyone to read the book Uncharitable and check out the presentation here. It is up for another week. When you watch it, start the video at 23 minutes to skip to his presentation.

Some of my favorite points he made:

There are two rule books: one for charity and one for the rest of the economic world.
We expect the nonprofit sector to rectify the results of a capitalist system but with using the tools of capitalism.
We have made a market around overhead. As funders we ask the question, and as nonprofits we present them and stand behind them, even if the itemizing is subjective.
Of the three major charity rating organanizations, Charity Navigator, Better Business Bureau and American Instute of Philanthropy...they rate 7700 charities and cummulatively have 28 staff members.

Social Innovation and the Nonprofit Sector

2010-10-01T14:10:00.000-07:00

Last week, Bob Wright and I had a chance to present at the Texas Nonprofit Summit LINK in Austin, Texas. Our Texas Social Innovation collaborators One Star Foundation co-hosted the event with Greenlights Austin. The theme of the event was “Igniting a Nonprofit Revolution” and the keynote and presentations inspired just that. The energy was palpable as nonprofit leaders showed up to do things differently…to innovate.

Bob and I had two tracks, and in typical yin-yang fashion, each of us took the lead on the presentation style and agenda. I think the highlight of our time was meeting all the super cool nonprofit leaders who want to lead the charge on this revolution and explore new ideas. Plus, we got in trouble for having such a rowdy session each time. A success in both of our minds!

Highlights of our 90 minute sessions included:

Speed Networking - as refined through our informal network @SparkClub
Best thing about Speed Networking is how it (1) provides a structure for those who do not feel comfortable flitting about an event networking; and (2) forces unlikely connections among the "jeans and the suits"

Social Media Discussion - How web-based tools cannot be ignored in the world of giving and action. Plus, they offer a way to stay connected after an awesome speed networking experience.
After a quick review of Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn, we showed a cool social media “Conversation Prism” that shows myriad of tools and networks available.

Finally we shared how Dallas Social Venture Partners is working to help spark a social innovation ecosytem in North Texas through our efforts with the Texas Social Innovation Initiative and bigBANG! See the presentation.

Early Childhood Development Forum Debuts this Fall

2010-09-24T13:17:00.000-07:00

Do you have a passion for working, giving and learning about Early Childhood Development? DSVP Parnter, Bob Wood wants you to to join us for the first in a new SVP network series – The Early Childhood Development Forum.

This quarterly teleconference series is for SVP partners and staff who care deeply about this topic. It’s an opportunity for free-flowing discussion: to learn what SVPs are doing in this area; share information about developments in the field; and sharpen our philanthropic and volunteer focus.

Our first one hour call is scheduled for Wednesday, October 6th at 12:00PM Central. Please contact Meghan Hale at mhale@dsvp.org for call-in information.

SVP Seattle Partner Dawn Trudeau will get the conversation rolling with a brief on SVP Seattle’s involvement in the Washington State Business Partnership for Early Learning. There will also be time set aside during the forum so we can learn more about each other and our specific ECD projects and interests.

UPLIFT receives $7.5 million from the Department of Education

2010-09-24T13:10:00.000-07:00

UPLIFT received fantastic news today from the Department of Education. They
were the ONLY Texas Charter School to receive a federal "Teacher
Incentive Fund" grant. The grant will amount to a total of $7.5 million over the next 5 years. These funds will go towards their reward & recognition program which includes incentive pay, Dynamic Dayin Dallas, Master Teachers, and our launch of common formative assessments.

Congratulations!

Youth Village Foundation is changing its name

2010-09-21T07:59:00.000-07:00

DSVP is proud to announce the name change of one of its investees, Youth Village Foundation now known as Youth Village Resources of Dallas. The press release below describes the reason for the name change in more detail.

DSVP has assisted YVR for over two years on such activities as an organizational assessment, strategic plan and outcomes measurement. The name change better reflects the mission of YVR and DSVP will continue to provide assistance to one of its shining examples of Doing Good Better.

DALLAS ( September 20, 2010) – Youth Village Foundation, the organization that has helped countless juveniles in Dallas County turn away from lives of crime, is changing its name.

The nonprofit organization is now known as Youth Village Resources of Dallas, a name that better reflects the work it does to divert young people from further involvement with the juvenile justice center or progression to more serious offenses.

Founded in 2001, The Youth Village Foundation has worked to meet the needs of young residents at Dallas County Youth Village and Medlock Youth Treatment Center by providing career training programs that teach them responsibility and a trade when they are released.

But the name caused confusion for those who thought the foundation was set up to provide grants for juvenile programs rather than coordinate them, said Fred Henley, President and Chairman of the Youth Village Resources Board of Directors.

“It became difficult to raise funds as a foundation,” Henley explained. “We wanted the public to understand that we are providing the resources that are changing the lives of these young people.”

Working with county officials, the volunteers at Youth Village Resources provide training programs that Dallas County taxpayers cannot fund due to budget cuts. Some of the programs teach residents at Youth Village and Medlock responsibility for the first time in their lives.

One of the more successful has been a dog training program that allows the youths to care for abandoned dogs until they have been adopted or placed in foster homes.

Other programs provide hands-on training for future jobs. Youth Village Resources, working with volunteers from a wide variety of locations including El Centro College, University of Texas at Dallas and North Texas Food Bank, offers classes in culinary arts, horticulture, financial literacy, computer programs, career management and public speaking. There also are courses to help youngsters receive their GED diplomas and scholarship funds to attend college.

Juveniles sent to Youth Village or Medlock are non-violent offenders who are removed from their home environment for a period of four to nine months. The positive outcome for those who receive training at these facilities rather than being handled by the Texas Youth Commission, the juvenile corrections agency, has been significant.

The recidivism rate for juveniles incarcerated in Texas last year was approximately 40 percent compared to a 9 percent repeat offender rate for those who completed their stay at Youth Village.

With its new name, Youth Village Resources will be looking for grants and corporate donations that can help maintain the organization’s vital goal of teaching deserving youth about healthy activities and assist them in receiving vocational training and educational scholarships.

For more information about Youth Village Resources and how to make a donation or volunteer, go to the following website: http://www.youthvillagefoundation.org/

Media Contact:

Jerry D. Silhan
Executive Director
The Youth Village Resources
phone and fax: 214-382-2697
cell: 214-957-7057
jsilhan@youthvillagefoundation.org

5 Ideas for Philanthropy to help Unlock the $120 Billion Social Capital Market

2010-09-08T07:13:00.000-07:00

The philanthropic sector is fully realizing the bitter truth that money alone cannot solve our most challenging problems. Many of our ideas around philanthropy need to evolve to truly achieve the impact we seek with our dollars.
Here are five ideas that can help advance our sector and bring our unique value to the bigger Social Capital Marketplace.

Embrace alternative financial instruments and ideas - Often times investors and philanthropists are the same people with different expectations. "Two-Pocket Investor" refers to someone who thinks differently of their philanthropic investments vs. their financial investments. Philanthropic institutions sometimes deem social enterprises as too risky and yet preferred to give a grant. One solution is a "stacked investment" which is a blend of financial investments and grants to help distribute the risk. These kinds of ideas need to be explored in entrepreneurial ways and given more consideration by traditional funding institutions.

Co-Investing- The days of one funder giving to one organization to solve a social or community problem are limited. Collaborative funding models are spreading. Most have centered around funders making grants in a certain issue area or cause. By co-investing, we are able to share valuable knowledge/information and leverage resources to come closer to systemic change. Soon we will see more diversified capital projects that bring together resources from impact investors across sectors who are able to play at various points within the financing. This will helps spread risk and strengthen stakeholder engagement throughout the social enterprise.

Measuring beyond the numbers - Evaluation is king in the world of social impact. You can't get what you don't measure, right? And yet a lot of energy, resources and time can go into visioning the outcomes you want to achieve and tracking progress (and proof) along the way. As we develop those strategies, it is important to embrace the qualitative along with the quantitative. When thinking about scale and reach, sometimes resources are better spent capturing the story of the impact and potential impact and ensuring those stories reach a broard audience. Think of the power of Kiva.org, where would that organization be if not for the brief story and picture provided with each investment opportunity. Besides, when you can't prove poverty alleviation in a quarterly report, a good and authentic story can make all the difference.

Cross-pollinating and sector blending -For far too long, missions and social impact have been relegated to the world of non-profits. Impact is executed by a charitable organization and funding comes from the foundations and donors. It has been an insular world with strange cultural customs and tribal language. Today with graduating MBA students interested in using their careers to create and work for triple-bottom-line business, this demand is expanding the universe of opportunities to make the world a better place. Impact can and will happen beyond mission-based work. Those philanthropic institutions that start playing across the sectors (public and private) will prove more successful in accomplishing the outcomes they seek.

Stimulating Informal Networks - Perhaps we do need another institution to carry our ideas to the next level, or do we? Have you ever heard the term "died by committee"? Think of all the intellectual, political and social capital that that gets tied up every time we create a new organization with by-laws, a board, etc. Plus, more importantly, it is almost making a pact with the membership that they will only seek connections from within. Perhaps instead of a new membership based organization, we need to create spontaneous and informal networks to bring existing networks together. Spark Club in North Texas has been just that. The organizers (myself included) like to bring together the "suits" and the "jeans" and pull from existing networks in hopes to put together an unlikely union, partnership, conversation, etc. No membership rules, no organizational infrastructure or hierarchy, and the only sponsors allowed are for technology...alcohol. In networking this way helps nurture fertile soil for the seeds of social entrepreneurship and enterprises.

Written for the #SOCAP10 Impact Challenge
by Stacy Caldwell
@Scaldwell

Help me compete for a free ticket to SOCAP -Social Capital Markets Conference in San Francisco this October. Please vote for me if you are inclined!

DonorBridge - Get up and Give!

2010-08-17T14:01:00.000-07:00

Mark your calendars for September 8, the second DonorBridge North Texas Giving Day. After much success last year they will bring together donors to support the Nonprofit community.

Award money is on the table for Nonprofits that raise the most money. Check out details here. Below is a list of DSVP Investees you will find.

• Shared Housing Center, Inc.
• The Wilkinson Center
• Vision Regeneration, Inc.
• The Samaritan Inn
• Mi Escuelita Preschool
• Youth Village Foundation
• PediPlace
• Dallas Community Lighthouse
• Educational First Steps
• The Concilio
• Child Abuse Prevention Center
• Transition Resource Action Center (through Central Dallas Ministries)
• Dallas After School Network
• KIPP TRUTH Academy
• UPLIFT Education
• NFTE

We encourage individuals, alongside DSVP, will be inspired to give on this day within the above Nonprofits.

DSVP Strategic Plan

2010-08-17T13:02:00.000-07:00

Over the summer months, our partnership began an inclusive strategic planning process that mirrored more of a grass-roots campaign as opposed to a board driven strategic plan. As a “partnership of equals”, it was important to vision the strategic direction of our mission collaboratively among the partners. A call for participants in the mid-summer months attracted a group of about 20 partners representing our board, lead partners, committee members and those just getting started. After a session that helped us identify our mission outcomes, we broke into three work streams that could test and inform how those outcomes could be accomplished.

They focused on: Partners, Investments and Community. Each work-stream hosted a series of meetings to gather input and capture the thinking of our partnership. Partners were encouraged to attend any and all of the meetings, and to offer up their best ideas on what our future could be.

On Monday night, at a mid-point review, representatives from each of the groups provided an overview of what has been explored, dismissed and strategies that think can further our vision. Cross-over items were collaboratively tackled and feedback was robust. If anyone who has known DSVP for a while, they can see that our partnership is evolving. What was confirmed last night is the desire for us to break away from our current processes and structure and think differently at how we serve the highest value to our partners, investees and the community. Interestingly, we saw some common themes among the three separate group: create more opportunities for partners, be more outward facing towards the community, and rethink how we use existing resources to deliver our mission.

Next steps include a continuation of the three work-streams to finalize their recommendations. And although the groups are further along in their thinking, partners are still encouraged to jump in at any point. Please reach out to sraskin@dsvp.org to help you plug- in. Also, we will host a one-day partner retreat on Friday, September 17th and any partner is welcome to participate. We will be hosting a briefing prior to that retreat to bring anyone up to speed who hasn’t been able to participate. Keep an eye out for the evite.

Building a Center for Social Innovation in North Texas

2010-08-16T15:21:00.000-07:00

DSVP recently moved to 511 N. Akard, a social enterprise of Central Dallas Ministries and the Community Development Corporation.
The move that was driven by unexpected necessity to relocate our offices that provided us a new opportunity to explore a partnership with four other amazing agencies.

The goal's to create a Center for Social Innovation. Inspired by co-working collaboration environments not unlike the one that houses the Toronto Social Venture Partnership (see quick video below), it has given us an opportunity to think differently about how we get our mission done. As we envision what a collaborative space dedicated to social innovation might be like, we consider what it would mean to all of our respective missions. Each of the organizations engaged in the conversation Central Dallas Ministries – Americorp program, CDM Community Development Corporation, Executives in Action and BC Workshops) is highly engaged in social innovation through design and deployment of highly skilled volunteers. We see these innovative work spaces popping up all over the globe and believe that model would work effectively in social impact efforts.

As we spend the next 3-6 months vetting the opportunity and what it might mean for our mission, our partners are invited to participate. There are a number of different entry points into the conversation from the business plan, to fundraising, to technology and use of space. Please reach out to staff or DSVP board if you are interested. There will also be periodic communications and updates that will be available to the partnership throughout the exploration.

Watch the video here!

bigBANG! Update

2010-08-11T14:12:00.000-07:00

Here are the latest bigBANG! updates:

Press Release : Dallas Social Venture Partners’ bigBANG Already Sparking Good Works http://bit.ly/a39R4c

RSVP for Spark Club! http://bit.ly/bkQtb7

You can also stay connected to the bigBANG! at www.bigbangtx.org

DSVP has moved downtown!

2010-08-02T14:24:00.000-07:00

Dallas Social Venture Partners is excited to announce that we have moved our offices downtown. You can now find us in the 511 North Akard Building (next door to the T. Boone Pickens YMCA). Please note DSVP's new physical and mailing address below. Our phone numbers and emails will remain the same and the door is always open, so stop by for a visit!

Physical Address:
511 North Akard, Third Floor
Dallas, TX 75201

Mailing Address:
511 North Akard
Mailbox 511
Dallas, TX 75201

Local Social Enterprise - Dallas CityScape!

2010-07-19T14:05:00.000-07:00

There's only two more weeks left for you to go see Dallas CityScape! Don't miss this awesome opportunity to see this exciting recreation of the Dallas skyline – all made from toys! Kids and adults alike are sure to awe at the size and artistry of each building.

DSVP is proud to have helped be a part of this idea from the seed stage. Back in 2007, a group of DSVP Partners helped social entrepreneur and visionary David Mathews flesh out and seed-fund an idea he had to create a social enterprise that would help fund a mission for kids. Three years later, David has launched CityScape! in Oklahoma City and now in Dallas!

Proceeds from Dallas CityScape! benefit the East Dallas Community Schools (EDCS). For more information about the school and the exhibit click here!

LOCATION:
Northpark Mall
Level Two, between Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom.
Next to Barneys New York.

ADMISSION:
Adults $5
Children $3 (Ages 12 & Under)

HOURS:
Open 7 days a week during regular NorthPark Center hours.

KIPP leverages with a bigBANG!

2010-07-16T13:33:00.000-07:00

DSVP is proud to announce that within thirty days of the bigBANG! Social Innovation event, $250,000 was attracted to the mission of KIPP TRUTH Academy.

Photo: (left) Stacy Caldwell -President of DSVP ; (right) April Crosse - Executive Director of KIPP TRUTH Academy

As one of DSVP’s newest nonprofit Investees, several DSVP partners “pitched” on behalf of KIPP TRUTH Academy to a room of impact investors. They shared a vision to help build KIPP's local capacity to serve more kids throughout North Texas. DSVP partners described their strategic work to strengthen KIPP's business model to help expand KIPP’s vision and impact across the region.

Boone Family Foundation took the lead in this vision at the bigBANG! by issuing a thirty day challenge grant. The effort would help build awareness of KIPP’s efforts, grow their donor base, and encourage further capacity building to help them grow. The challenge promised $1 (up to $25,000) for every $2 raised making the total potential contribution to KIPP TRUTH $75,000.

April Crosse, KIPP TRUTH's executive director, led the effort that far exceeded that vision. Just three months on the job in her new position, April got to work and brought in $70,000 of donations for the match and then circled around to prior requests and closed an additional $160,00. Resulting in more than $250,000 for the mission! KIPP parents, teachers and students along with community donors and funders all worked together to show their support and help accomplish this amazing result!

Founded in 2003, KIPP TRUTH Academy is the Metroplex branch of the nationally renowned Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP). KIPP is a network of charter schools designed to transform and improve the educational opportunities available to low-income families, and ultimately, prepare students to enroll and succeed in college. KIPP has grown from a core of two middle schools established in the mid 1990s to a nationwide network of 82 schools in 19 states and the District of Columbia. All KIPP schools are free, open-enrollment, college-preparatory public schools located in under-resourced communities throughout the United States.

A hearty congratulations is in order to KIPP. A big thank you goes to our friends at the Boone Family Foundation for their vision and leadership. And, a wink and thumbs up to all our DSVP partners who continue to maximize social impact with their efforts!

Strategic Plans Underway

2010-07-08T11:42:00.001-07:00

Two very important strategic plans are underway by our partners here at DSVP. Our partners are putting that important intellectual capital to work both for Dallas Community Light House and DSVP!

Dallas Community Lighthouse
DSVP Partners and Dallas Community Lighthouse (DCL) Board members and staff began the first stage of DCL's Strategic Planning process with a productive Board Development planning session on Wednesday, July 7th. Gary Capshaw, DCL co-Lead Partner led the session attended by DSVP Partners Carol Maier, Phyllis Bernstein, Charlotte Keany, Susan Hoff, and Robin Minick (DCL co-LP) and DCL Board members, Paula DeGroat, Bishop Miller E. Johnson, Jr., and Executive Director Diana Baker. Carol Maier, a new DSVP Partner with extensive Board development experience provided the initial guidance for the planning session. Process and calendar details were negotiated along with goals and actions items identified. We look forward to learning more about this important work as the process unfolds.

Dallas Social Venture Partners

What would we be without strategic visioning and planning for a mission. At DSVP, our board and partners have reflected on ten years of impact and look into their crystal ball to envision the next evolution of our work. Multiple data-points (located on the Portal) have been collected in preparation of this auspicious work: Center for Nonprofit Management's Organizational Assessment, Richards Group Brand Audit, and a Partner Satisfaction survey are the three main informing documents leading to this outcomes based work. Partners are invited to participate in three work streams as our board gathers comments and ideas around the outcomes that we seek. for more information and to get involved call our committee chair, Brad Logan, or Meghan Hale at mhale@dsvp.org.

Dallas Social Venture Partners: 10 years of Social Impact

2010-06-30T14:41:00.000-07:00

Original Music Brings More Harmony to bigBANG!

2010-06-17T07:56:00.000-07:00

“Road To Accra” Underscores Day of Community Collaboration

As Shakespeare one wrote, “If music be the food of love, play on. Give me excess of it.” And for those of you attended bigBANG!, you experienced the excess of good music from musician Neeki Bey . An artist who fuses together jazz piano, choral music, African drumming, gospel influences and even a hint of country twang, Neeki has composed an original work for bigBANG! entitled “Road to Accra.”

Read More!

bigBANG!: An Explosive Success

2010-06-15T11:13:00.000-07:00

Celebrating Its 10-Year Anniversary, Dallas Social Venture Partners Hosts Over 300 Attendees at The bigBANG! Social Innovation Conference

The proverbial switch was flipped at bigBANG! and the lights are officially “on” to witness the power of uniting innovative business leaders with the social sector! There’s no turning back now!

"bigBANG! provided an outstanding vehicle to harness the power of ideas and resources to address critical social needs. It was an outstanding 'first annual' event that is sure to be a treasure trove for change agents in our community for years to come.” - Pam Gerber, Executive Director, Entrepreneurs For North Texas

Read More!

Microsponsors Pave The Way for bigBANG!

2010-06-15T11:06:00.000-07:00

Dallas Social Venture Partners would like to extend a special thank you to all of the bigBANG! Microsponors! Your generous sponsorship of the bigBANG! event allowed many North Texans the opportunity to participate in the bigBANG! as budding entrepreneurs, social innovators and students of “doing good.” Because of you, new leaders are emerging and positive change is happening.

See the full list here!

The Dallas Foundation Leads Sponsorship For bigBANG’s Vision

2010-06-07T16:22:00.000-07:00

For more than 81 years, The Dallas Foundation has been serving as a resource, leader and catalyst for philanthropy in North Texas. So, it should come as no surprise that this organization was eager to support bigBANG! in its quest to explore social innovation in a groundbreaking new format.

“Dallas Social Venture Partners actually began at The Dallas Foundation, so for us it was a natural fit’,” says Mary M. Jalonick, president of The Dallas Foundation. “We love the concept of bringing together for-profits, nonprofits and individuals with fresh ideas for solving social problems. Whether it’s a brand new idea or a proven one, The Dallas Foundation believes in furthering community conversation around ways to work smart for the benefit of all.” Read More!

The Greatness of GOOD

2010-06-03T23:48:00.000-07:00

This Just In: GOOD Magazine Signs On As A bigBANG! Media Partner

The energy of bigBANG! is spreading, and more and more businesses and people out to change the world are signing up to be part of the June 10th event. One of our latest and greatest media partners is GOOD. Since 2006, GOOD has been garnering praise for its unique editorial perspective and new voice in our culture. Read More!

Taking Legal Action

2010-06-03T09:27:00.000-07:00

Winstead Joins In bigBANG! Sponsorship

Where once corporations and nonprofits operated alone, today they work in tandem to combine their expertise for the benefit of society. It is this collaborative approach to meeting the needs of a community and strengthening a society that makes social innovation, as a business model, so effective. With this ideology in mind, bigBANG! is pleased to announce that Winstead, one of the largest law firms in Texas, has joined as a sponsor of its VIP Reception.

“We are excited about being a part of a unique event that brings together supporters and innovators in the philanthropic sector. This is a great way for us to see how our firm can better support our community,” said Joy Harris, Winstead’s group marketing manager. Read More!

Summit Financial Group Sums Up Big Businesses’ Community Involvement

2010-06-02T21:19:00.000-07:00

Benefits And Wealth Management Firm Supports Social Innovation

The financial sector is known for its bear and bull markets and bottom-lines. But some businesses in this industry are beginning to think beyond the box of hard-line results.

Take for example, Summit Financial Group, Inc., a privately heald National Employee Benefits and Wealth Management Planning firm that recently signed on as a proud sponsor of bigBANG!

Says Summit’s CEO Dale Young “[We] believe in the cause bigBANG! is supporting in reaching out to worthwhile charities that are striving to get better.” He added that he expected event attendees to walk away with, “A new-found respect and appreciation for emerging charities that are less conspicuous in the non-profit marketplace.” Read More!

Demeter Project Brews Up New Approach to Business Ethics

2010-06-01T21:47:00.000-07:00

bigBANG! Sponsorship Helps Company Connect With Other Socially Conscious Leaders

Named after the goddess who taught mankind the basics of sowing and planting the fields, Demeter Project is a business experiment in applied ethics. The organization invests in, seeds, and creates new business ventures. By collaborating with these businesses, the Demeter Project works to demonstrate that it is possible to do well while also doing good; a concept that if widely accepted, can redefine the American workplace.

Says Co-Founder Cannon Flowers , “We chose to sponsor because we believe in the objectives of what Dallas Social Venture Partners, through the bigBANG! event, are attempting to accomplish — bringing more awareness and information on creating workplaces that bring about true social improvement in the lives of people in Dallas, Texas. We know that many people are interested in creating businesses that directly improve the lives of its employees and the communities where they reside. Only through powerful networking and knowledge sharing, such as bigBANG!, can the process of creating and operating these companies be eventually perfected. There is much to learn in best practice sharing to understand what works, and what doesn’t work.” Read More!

An Education In Social Innovation

2010-05-27T15:24:00.000-07:00

UT Dallas sponsors bigBANG! to help leaders of tomorrow leverage their education to give back to society

In a recent interview, Diane McNulty, Ph.D. Associate Dean for External Affairs and Corporate Development for The University of Texas at Dallas School of Management, shared that “we’re a proud sponsor of bigBANG!. It’s a forum and experience that will not only facilitate the exchange of ideas and best practices, but also continue to foster the movement of ‘doing good better.” And while UTD is a sponsor of the bigBANG!, event, an all day conference focusing on the value of social entrepreneurship, UTD has always been an active leader in the world of implementing social innovation on campus, in its curriculum, and throughout our community.

Read More!

The Big DANG

2010-05-24T13:17:00.000-07:00

Featured video, ‘The Big DANG’, will premier at the bigBANG!
Highlights the importance of failure for social ventures

In a recent post on Just Means, Marcia Stepanek explores how “Failure is the new Cool”. She writes “As the collaboration trend gains momentum across the social advocacy landscape, the notion of failure as a critical ingredient of innovation — and cross-sector learning — appears to be gaining a new sense of urgency.”

With exactly this inspiration in mind, the bigBANG! will be hosting the “The Big DANG” in collaboration with The Unreasonable Institute will feature the world premier documentary “The big DANG!” as part of the June 10th festivities. The video will feature stories of ventures that didn’t go as expected, told from the pool of Unreasonable Institute entrepreneurs. These 25 Proven entrepreneurs working on ventures in 17 countries and hailing from six continents, competed and were selected to attend the Unreasonable Institute this summer. “The big DANG” is all about lessons learned from trying and doing. Rather than being defeated, these glass-half-full social innovators are using stories of failure as an opportunity and learning experience to come back with something bigger and better. Read More!

Big Things. Small Package.

2010-05-16T18:19:00.000-07:00

How Micro-sponsorship Ignites Social Innovation
From Generation to Generation

June 10 is just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate a day of social change than by becoming a part of the change yourself? A micro-sponsorship of bigBANG! is one way to do just that.

So, what’s a micro-sponsorship, you ask? It’s a innovative new conference model allowing businesses and individuals to nurture future generations of social entrepreneurs. In short, those who can afford to pay for a day’s worth of social change fund the opportunity for the next generation of game changers to attend, learn and pay it forward. Read More!

A Day In The Life Of bigBANG!

2010-05-15T19:15:00.000-07:00

What’s In Store For Donors, Partners and Investees

There’s been a lot of buzz about bigBANG! lately. People are really excited to come together and explore the brave new world that merges business and social sectors while connecting with others energized about the subject. But one of the biggest questions we get is a “what can I expect?”

So, we thought we would give you run down of the day’s activities whether you are a donor, a partner or an investee.

The morning kicks off at 9:30 a.m. at Union Station in downtown Dallas in the Conductor’s Lounge. This is your chance to grab up a cup of coffee while mixing and mingling with thought leaders in the for-profit and non-profit sectors all interested in the future of social innovation. Read More!

Sprouting Social Innovation: Community Gardens Begin To Grow

2010-05-14T20:35:00.000-07:00

Not long ago, we shared the exciting news about Youth Village’s expanded community garden program, which will be providing a bountiful buffet during bigBANG! on June 10. As promised, we checked back in on the seedlings of change only to find that they are well on their way to becoming full-fledged vegetables. Read More!

Glossary of Terms: Finding The Words For Social Change

2010-04-27T14:41:00.000-07:00

Forget about the language, it’s a focus on the end result

Shakespeare once wrote, “a rose by any other name would smell as sweet…” Lucky for us, he wasn’t trying to define social innovation, social entrepreneurship or any of the other groundbreaking concepts used to describe operating models and leaders that make a difference.

And that’s really what the June 10 bigBANG! Event is all about – non-profits fueling their mission with business ideas and acumen, AND businesses that are doing good while doing well. Combining experts in the for-profit and non-profit sectors, DSVP has created a day of learning and sharing where we can come together as a community to explore these ideas and meet the innovators who are leading the way. Read More!

Socially Conscious Marketplace – Accepting Applications!

2010-04-19T15:07:00.000-07:00

The bigBANG! will feature a Socially Conscious Marketplace of vendors who operate a social business or social enterprise of a nonprofit mission. Our hope is to fill it with 30+ vendors who will have products to sell and promote at the event.

There is a limited amount of space available so we will determine the vendors through an application process.

A panel will review all applications and make final decisions and announce the selected vendors on MAY 19, 2010. Read More!

Dallas Social Venture Partners Announces Three New ‘Investees’

2010-04-14T15:13:00.000-07:00

DALLAS – After vetting a list of more than 40 proposals, Dallas Social Venture Partners (DSVP) has selected three North Texas organizations to be deemed its newest Investees and to receive funding and engagement. These organizations will join DSVP’s Social Investment Portfolio, which represents a diverse array of nonprofit agencies whose mission address at-risk youth and/or education.

Dallas Community Lighthouse, a non-profit agency that provides tutoring to at-risk youth, will receive a $50,000 investment along with “engagement” time from DSVP’s network of professionals, social entrepreneurs and foundations. The DSVP board also approved the establishment of a pilot program to work with KIPP Truth Academy, a college-preparatory public school that works proactively with students to achieve academic excellence, and PediPlace, a Lewisville-neighborhood pediatrician’s office for children who are uninsured or who receive Medicaid or CHIP benefits. As part of this program, both KIPP and PediPlace will receive investment and resources in the form of “engagement hours” from DSVP Partners in lieu of grant dollars.

“Welcoming new Investees is one of my favorite parts of being involved with DSVP,” said Richard Evans, the Investment Committee co-chair. “It’s more than just giving out money, it’s a new approach to philanthropy. Our partners helps local nonprofits work on sustainability with the leveraging time, money and resources.”

DSVP’s Investee process involves a committee of Partners reviewing and vetting proposals from area nonprofits through a competitive funding process. Then, the finalists work with DSVP partners to complete an Organizational Assessment administered by the Center for Nonprofit Management which helps develop a three year engagement strategy. The full partnership votes on the final “Investees” based on how the Partners think we can best help these organizations.

Meet the Innovators: Central Dallas Ministries

2010-04-13T16:11:00.001-07:00

Central Dallas Ministries collaborates to achieve more success in every one of their 16 programs, including a groundbreaking collaboration with PepsiCo to expand their food distribution exponentially. They are also renowned for their ability to engage those they serve in volunteering at their organization. As the largest multi-service provider in the Dallas area, they see the people they serve not as “clients,” but as neighbors with immense social and human capital. Read More!

Meet the Innovators: Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Texas

2010-04-12T16:01:00.001-07:00

Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of North Texas provides one-on-one mentoring to children. They have developed strong and innovative statewide partnerships with government as well as faith-based organizations through their proven model that relates to mentoring children of prisoners through the Amachi Texas initiative. They also recognize the importance of outcome measures, utilizing randomized controlled trials funded by the federal Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. Their methods are so successful that they recently received national recovery funds to do consulting and help replicate their model across the country. Read More!

Meet the Innovators: Shared Housing Center, Inc.

2010-04-09T12:52:00.000-07:00

Shared Housing Center, Inc. serves thousands of people a year through housing and follow-up support on a very limited budget. Their “Building Blocks for Success” initiative was created to evaluate their program and measure its success. Using strong partnerships for their mental health and childcare initiatives, including a mental health component on-site delivered by Parkland Hospital HOMES, they help their families focus on root causes for becoming homeless, enabling them to break destructive patterns. Read More!

Meet the Innovators: Vision Regeneration

2010-04-05T14:11:00.000-07:00

Vision Regeneration, Inc. is changing the cultural environment of at-risk youth in order to eliminate violent and destructive behaviors, helping them turn instead to lives that are productive, rewarding and spiritually enriched. Read More!

The Seeds Of Change: Youth Village Grows More Than A Garden Thanks To DSVP

2010-04-02T07:55:00.000-07:00

They say from small seedlings grow mighty oaks. But in the case of Youth Village’s expanded community garden program, this growth is more than just a metaphor. It’s a real life example of social innovation in action!

The young men at the county detention center facilitated through Youth Village Foundation are busy planting the seeds in their own community garden complete with lettuce, squash, beans, tomatoes and much more. As part of a culinary arts program, they are learning about food from seed to table. This year, DSVP partners have approached Youth Village to expand the program and help grow the food for the upcoming bigBANG! as part of the community garden buffet at the June 10 event. Read More!

What is the future of Texas Nonprofits?

2010-04-01T11:15:00.000-07:00

State of Texas takes our nonprofit sector seriously. So much so that they passed the monumental bill for Texas’ social sector, House Bill 492. This bill is designed to strengthen and expand nonprofits, both faith based and community based.

Yesterday, a public hearing was convened in Dallas Texas at the Center for Nonprofit Management to gather input and feedback from the nonprofit community on the obstacles and opportunities for our State government agencies to better partner and support the sector. Hosted by the Texas Health and Human Commission and One Star Foundation, a room of thirty or so nonprofit leaders provided input on things like capacity building, funding, volunteer engagement and how to achieve the most social impact.

This was a fantastic opportunity to hear poignant input as it relates to on-the-ground obstacles as well as visionary remarks from those who live and breath this work.

House Bill 492 inspired this string of public hearings happening around the state. It was designed to strengthen and expand faith based and community based health and human and social service through the renewing our communities account. (ROCA). It sets up three mechanisms to both gather input, coordinate agencies and make recommendations to our legislature.

The Commission is accepting testimonials at public hearings around the State as well as written remarks through April 20,2010. Please take the opportunity to have your voice heard as nonprofit leaders, donors, social venture partners or volunteers. This is our opportunity to strengthen a sector that consistently gives back more than it takes.

Additional information and written comments can be sent to Joanne.Pierce@hhsc.state.tx.us

OneStar Foundation Supports bigBANG!

2010-03-29T09:51:00.000-07:00

bigBANG! is thrilled to partner with OneStar Foundation who has been a collaborator and supporter of the June 10 event since we forged the Texas Social Innovation Initiative. Committed to growing social innovation, OneStar seeded North Texas with an infusion of dollars and capacity building through a competitive grant process that identified nonprofit innovators that have a proven track record, a sustainable business model, and vision for growth. Read More!

Save the Date: Good Morning Texas’ Rob McCollum to emcee bigBANG!

2010-03-17T11:40:00.000-07:00

Social Innovation is an idea that is spreading globally. It’s a non-political catch-all term for thinking differently about how communities advance conversations and ideas that will address the challenges their communities face. Social Innovation recognizes that our toughest challenges cannot be solved with money or non-profits alone. Please save the date for June 10th, as the bigBANG! convenes a community of investors, philanthropists, social entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders and others who want to help catalyze positive impact. Host of Good Morning Texas, Rob McCollum will emcee the event. His personal interest in philanthropy and storytelling will permeate the conference as will his wit and charm. Read More!

Social Media for a Cause

2010-02-08T11:27:00.000-08:00

This month Kim Young, the forest and the trees, presented at DSVP's First Friday Luncheon about the importance of Social Media. Check out her presentation below...

Social Media For A Cause

View more presentations from the forest & the trees.

Investment Committee Phase II

2010-01-21T07:50:00.000-08:00

The Investment Committee Phase II is in full swing with DSVP Partner teams working on organizational assessments with the 3 Finalists:

Dallas Community Lighthouse provides on-site programs in low-income or tax-credit apartment communities. Programs include tutoring services for students in grades K-8th, as well as Family and Community services addressing the needs of the entire community.
www.communitylighthouse.org
Lead Partner: Gary Capshaw

PediPlace provides high quality health care for children of Denton County who have no access to such services due to economic, geographic and/or cultural barriers. PediPlace provides a broad scope of health services with a highly competent and bilingual staff of medical professionals, trained office staff, and many dedicated volunteers.
www.PediPlace.org
Lead Partner: Susie Morrissey

KIPP Truth Academy Dallas is part of a national network of free, open-enrollment, college-preparatory public schools with a track record of preparing students in under served communities for success in college and in life. There are currently 82 KIPP schools in 19 states and the District of Columbia serving around 20,000 students.
www.KIPP.org
Lead Partner: Barbara Errickson

Once the organizational assessments are completed, DSVP Partners will work with the finalist organizations to develop Engagement Plans and to prepare final presentations that will be presented at the Final Investment Committee meeting, open to entire Partnership, on Tuesday, March 23 from 4-7pm (Location: Dallas Children's Theatre).

Muhammad Yunus is coming to North Texas!

2010-01-18T19:48:00.000-08:00

A generous offer has been made to Dallas Social Venture Parnters and friends to attend the upcoming Austin College, Posey Leadership Award honoring the 2010 Recipient: Muhammad Yunus. Spend an evening with this remarkable humanitarian and 2006 Nobel Peace Prize winner who will speak on his vision of a poverty-free world. Dr. Yunus pioneered microcredit, which has helped over 100 million families across every continent.

We hope to see you there!
Thursday, February 25th, 7:30 p.m.

All individual tickets are purchased through the Eisemann Center , so please enter "friends" - all lower case to receive a special 10% discount across all pricing levels

Networking with the SVP Partnership

2010-01-18T18:56:00.001-08:00

Guest Post by DSVP Partner, Barbara Errickson

Staying in touch with your world has never been easier with Tweets on Twitter, professional connections on LinkedIn, and family and friends on Facebook. I even reconnected after over 20 years of silence with my high school graduating class from the 1960’s in time to help plan A 50th reunion ! To think I would have missed out without Facebook !

When I joined DSVP about 9 months ago I diligently entered my profile details on our DSVP intranet portal expecting to continue adding to my collaborative network. So far, it’s ratherlonely there.

We have an excellent engagement manager who orchestrates our Investee project teams and yet it’s a challenge to know each other better. Wouldn’t it be great to look up team mate biosbefore, during and after projects, and, on occasion, even to find a Partner to join you for a social event ? Can you imagine LinkedIn, Twitter, or Facebook with only names and no profiles or messages ? We could Do Good Even Better with more complete cross partner collaboration !

And, as an incentive, for the next two weeks, if you complete or update your profile on the SVPI Partner Portal, you will be entered to win a Sony Digital Ebook Reader that holds 150 ebooks. Deadline is February 4th and we will draw at the February First Friday. So get connected to our partner network!

bigBANG & Texas Social Innovation Initiative

2010-01-14T08:13:00.000-08:00

Over the last year, DSVP has had the pleasure of developing a partnership with One Star Foundation and Root Cause to help cultivate socially innovative nonprofits here in North Texas. After a competitive application process, seven socially innovative nonprofits were announced at the recent Governor's Nonprofit Leadership Conference.

Each of seven innovative nonprofit organizations, who competed among 60 nonprofits in Greater Dallas/Forth Worth, will receive more than $25,000 in assistance to support their growth and impact. In addition, they will also be given the opportunity to "pitch" their organization to the community on the Fast Pitch stage at the upcoming June 10th bigBANG event.

We are excited to announce the seven following nonprofits who have been identified as social innovators in North Texas. You wont want to miss hearing more about the innovative work they are doing and their future direction.

If you are interested in learning more specifically about the Texas Social Innovation Initiative, check out this video!

bigBANG! June 10, 2010 - Mark it!

2010-01-10T18:19:00.000-08:00

If social innovation and North Texas are a passion of yours, then you won't want to miss this experience! Dallas Social Venture Partners and The Dallas Foundation present the bigBANG! An event that will "spark social innovation" and create a lasting effect in our community.

Participants will experience high energy activities alongside thoughtful programs that will expose some of the most exciting innovations in North Texas. We seek to convene the community of impact investors: donors, foundation leaders, corporate philanthropists, and social entrepreneurs. Join us for the bigBANG!

A sampling of activities include:

-Social Innovation Fast Pitch - a venture capital "pitch" format featuring nonprofits and for profits creating a social and environmental value (learn more by listening to a podcast, or reviewing a past post)

-Spark Lounge - experience the latest in web-based tools for "good"

-Socially Conscious Marketplace - a gathering of products and services that measure more than just profits

-Speed Networking - a way to learn "who's who of who-ville"

Our event will be held in the Grand Hall of Union Station. We plan to grow the food for the event (more on that in a future blog post!) We hope to attract funders and practitioners alike to explore what is working, what is not, and what are the really BIG ideas for improving our world and community.

Sponsorships are Available.
Contact scaldwell@dsvp.org

Texas Social Innovation Initiative - Blog Roll!

2009-12-18T07:22:00.000-08:00

The OneStar Foundation, Dallas Social Venture Partners, and Root Cause would like to thank all of those who helped us spread the word about our social media conference, live from the OneStar Foundation’s Governor’s Nonprofit Leadership Conference last Wednesday. We were excited to be able to share the conversations taking place at the conference with all of you who tuned in, tweeted, and blogged about it. Thank you for watching and listening, and thank you for your questions!

If you missed the live stream the first time around, you can watch it anytime here.

Please take a look at what these folks are up to, they are all doing amazing things. The organizations and individuals that supported our effort to spread the word about social innovation in Texas are:

The Microfinance Forum
myImpact.org
Spark Club
Social Velocity
Social Entrepreneurship at Change.org
SVP Toronto
Central Dallas Ministries
Beth’s Blog
PhilanTopic
Social Enterprise Institute
Dallas South
SVP International
Philanthropedia
SVP Portland
La Reunion TX
Business Boomer
Refresh Button
Social Capital Ventures
interSector Partners L3C
Ashoka’s Youth Venture
Xian3k
Livestream
501derful.org

Texas Social Innovation Initiative! - Webcast

2009-12-08T12:33:00.001-08:00

Check out the re-broadcast of the Texas Social Innovation Initiative. OneStar Foundation, Root Cause and Dallas Social Venture Partners showcase North Texas as a center for social innovation.

Watch live streaming video from bboomer at livestream.com

Sparking Social Innovation in the Lone Star State

2009-12-03T13:33:00.000-08:00

Texas has always been innovative and entrepreneurial. So it should be no surprise that the social sector in our state is launching a social inovation initiative in a "big" way.

DSVP is proud to participate in bringing these ideas to North Texas in a collaborative way with OneStar Foundation and Root Cause.

Please tune in to this blog space (click to the home page) on December 9th from 10:30am-11:15am to watch a virutal new media press conference! We will talk about the work we are doing together, how social innovation is changing the way nonprofits do business, and announce social innovations that have been selected to help kick off this initiative. Even with a regional focus, this work is indicative of a bigger trend to collaborate at the national, state and local levels to stimulate socially innovative activities in communities.

In the meantime, check out the media advisory, or read about how Social Innovation at an Inflection Point, or check out the Govenor's Nonprofit Leadership Conference where all of this will get announced!

Pitching Social Innovations

2009-11-19T11:33:00.001-08:00

As many of you may know, DSVP is celebrating our ten year anniversary next year. We have already begun planning the celebration with an event that will blow your minds. As part of the planning, we have researched an array of socially impactful experiences to consider for our celebration. What we have loved, is the idea of a pitch event.

Pitch events are a known experience in the world of venture capital. You get a room full of investors to listen to a handful of entrepreneurs pitch their idea or business model. The value for the investor is getting exposed to a broad array ideas of which they might consider investing. The value for the entrepreneur is to pitch to a room full of potential investors and make new connections. (Think Shark Tank)

Now consider applying this to the world of nonprofits. Get a room full of social investors (donors, foundations, and corporate philanthropists) and pre-select and prepare a group of nonprofit leaders and social entrepreneurs to pitch their ideas, programs and organizations. This is exactly what took place at the recent Social Innovation Fast Pitch, co-hosted by Los Angelos Social Venture Partners, the Social Enterprise Institute and the University of Southern California.

After a six weeks of preparation and coaching, ten nonprofit organizations took the stage for three minute pitches without visual aids. That's right, NO Powerpoints! They were not only competing for $20,000 worth of award money, they were pitching to be seen and heard among a community of social impact investors. To see the list of presenters and winners click here.

DSVP will bring the fast pitch experience to North Texas with our big event in 2010. (think big BANG!) It is a refreshing take on the traditional grant writing approach to fundraising. Although it might not be a replacement, it certainly enhances community awareness of missions and puts the leaders to the test to present their mission, vision and needs!

Learn more by listening to the Maximizing Social Impact Podcast: Social Innovation Fast Pitch

Triple Bottom Line = offers new value to share/stake holders

2009-09-11T07:14:00.000-07:00

It was clear throughout the SOCAP09 Conference that not only are new business models and financial tools emerging to achieve social impact, but there are also disruptive innovations and creative destruction of the existing business models. There was much talk of real value in the triple bottom line model. This is where a business measures social impact and environmental impact alongside profits.

Customers are now looking at how a company manages ALL levels of their business and supply chain. Sustainable business now provides a strategy on how to last for the long term. Consumers have a greater demand and expectation for companies to be transparent in their social and environmental impact. And, consumers have more tools (social media in particular) at their disposal to organize and communicate their happiness and disappointment. A new generation of social action is emerging with the use of these tools, that work to influence the behaviors of businesses towards this new way of thinking...check out Carrot Mob.

Customer dissatisfaction is best dealt with in an honest and transparent way. Corporations who show a willingness to address any issues that may have social or environmental consequences in an honest and open way, are more likely to retain their customers and gain their trust.

But more importantly, corporations who operate at a large scale both nationally and globally have the opportunity to create greater positive social impact with just a tweak of their supply chain or business model. And this is the real opportunity for the social sector to explore.

Storytelling as Strategic Communications

2009-09-10T03:27:00.000-07:00

This morning, I have the opportunity to teach a class on Storytelling at the Center for Nonprofit Mangaement. DSVP began our storytelling initiative in 2008 to capture the stories and build the communications content for a social media campaign. (See homepage for links to twitter, facebook, linkedin, and this blog) As a small nonprofit with 2.5 staff members (.5 is really a whole person who works part-time), we had a shoestring budget and very limited time to commit to our marketing and communication efforts.

The primary focus was to engage our stakeholders in meaningful conversations about our work and the value we bring to the community. In the process, we have captured 13 stories from 31 interviews; produced over 500 photographs, gleaned 40 useable quotes, and helped attract a variety of traditional media coverage. The impact it has had on all of our printed and social media work is exponetial as we slice and dice that content.

In today's class, I intend to talk about approaching storytelling beyond the traditional elements of storytelling strategy, i.e. protagonist/conflict/emotional hook. I get worn out on the "emotional hook" angle of nonprofit storytelling. While appropriate and compelling to some of your stakeholders, others need a differnt "impact hook". We will explore stakeholder personas and motivations and how to let them communicate your mission's value.

Storytelling as Reinforcement of Mission - Slide Presentation

Storytelling as Reinforcement of Mission

View more presentations from DSVP.

On starting a social enterprise. (This one goes up to 11)

2009-09-04T13:33:00.000-07:00

Thanks to the expert soup at SOCAP09, I have gleaned some good advise for those interested in starting a social enterprise or social venture. These ideas come from a variety of brains including Bill Young of Social Capital Partners; Adam Webach of Saatchi & Saatchi S; Todd Johnson of Jones Day; Jonathan Storper of Hanson Bridgett; Paul Richardson of Renewal2 and Derek Gent of Vancity.

1. Beware of making decisions based on tax implications.

2. Research first, then build your structure.

3. Get a good lawyer with very good subject matter expertise.

4. Get mission aligned and defined right up front.

5. Memorialize the mission/ anchor it in the business model.

6. Make a road map of how that mission will play out as the business grows.

7. Have a way to resolve disputes when it comes to the mission aspect of the business so it doesn't get lost or re-purposed.

8. Don't forget you are running a business. Make sure everyone on staff understands the fact that you ARE a business.

9. Lead with a good business model. Most investors are already stressed and are not interested in leading with a mission or social impact agenda.

10. If you are doing something that is worthwhile and good, there are people who will help you.

11. Jump Now, Fear Later, The Safety Net will come.

Emerging Social Capital Markets

2009-09-04T10:49:00.000-07:00

I will begin with the confession that throughout the Social Capital Markets conference I had to stretch my brain to stay connected to much of the conversation. As you would predict, much of the conversation was made up of very specific references to traditional financial mechanisms, capital markets and a whole lexicon of language that is just barely familiar to me. Lucky for me, I had Bob Wright *, DSVP founding partner and banker/lawyer extrordinaire who kindly helped by translating for me!

There was a sense that the scale of our global issues are massive, and the only way to really achieve the social impact we seek is to tap in to the private and public resources at the scale that can make a meaningful difference. The questions raised included: how do we use the existing tools, infrastructure and resources in dramatically different ways to address some of our most pressing social issues? And, how do we begin to construct new tools to achieve the impact we seek. Therefore, much of the conversation narrowed around the following areas.

1. Building and accessing social venture investment funds such as Calvert, Acumen, Schwab Charitable, Good Capital, Renewal2, IGNIA, and many more. There was a general sense that social investors need to get more familiar with each other and what segment of the investment continuum that each are focused. There is an opportunity and a need to develop ways to signal each other and hand off investments at different stages as in the venture capital world of seed, venture, equity, and private funding.

2. Measuring social impact in a way that involves standards of risk assessment and a true cost and wholistic approach to value. New tools announced included Impact Reporting Investment Standards (IRIS) and Global Impact Inves ting Rating System (GIIRS). What I found most interesting here is watching a very common conversation that has been happening for the last ten years in the social sector (about how to you measure social impact or social ROI), now happening among financial experts. Keep in mind, these folks are used to seeing quarterly reports on the status of their investments. Try giving quarterly reports on how one community solving povety. Community change has a different timeframe. However, what is most exciting is having this conversation among experts who are well versed in quantitative analysis. Together, we are sure to advance these ideas faster.

3. The perceptions of risk vs. real value in social investments. The recognition that often times investors and philanthropists are the same people with different expectations. I heard a term used, "Two-Pocket Investor" which refers to someone who thinks differently of their philanthropic investments vs. their financial investments. There was some confusion from the investor community why some of our philanthropic institutions deem social enterprises as too risky and yet preferred to give a grant. A solution offered up was a "stacked investment" which is a blend of financial investments and grants to help distribute the risk.

4. And, finally, their was amazing ideas and wisdom shared on starting a social enterprise. (see previous blog post on this topic)

*Bob, the world awaits your genius tweets.

Social Capital Markets Conference 2009

2009-09-04T10:32:00.001-07:00

I'm decompressing from an amazing time in San Francisco where I had the opportunity to meet the leaders who are advancing new ideas and financial instruments to achieve greater social impact. The crowd attracted to this second annual event was made up of a blend of financial advisors, fund managers, social entrepreneurs, and global organizers who were interested in thinking differently about how we address the social issues that we face in the world. The main theme was the desire to harness the power of business and government capital markets by building a new "social" capital market.

This was truely an amazing social media experience, and thank you to all the organizers who hosted us! The food was amazing and we all loved the kickass bags!

SOCAP09 YouTube Channel - Watch any of the amazing and rich breakout sessions

From the SOCAP Blog - Here what leaders throughout the event were experiencing

Check out the #SOCAP09 twitter feed with almost 3000 tweets from almost 600 contributors!

Social Capital Round Up

Economist.com write up: Capital markets with a conscience