Partner FAQ's

Do Partners have to contribute their time and expertise?

No. SVP certainly wants all Partners to get involved with their time and expertise, but some Partners just don't have time to commit and that is OK. About 30 percent of SVP Partners contribute only financially at this stage. Many Partners contribute their time for a while, take a break and then get involved again, as professional and family lives allow.

Can I become a Partner by giving just my time and expertise but not the $5,700 annual contribution?

No, but friends and business associates can contribute skills and time as part of the work with our Investees. See our current list of volunteer opportunities and our SVP Capacity Building Model.

Can Partners designate their contribution to a particular Investee?

No. All Partner contributions go into a pooled fund. SVP is like a mutual fund investment for a Partner, not an investment in an individual organization. Partners who are interested in supporting the work of a particular Investee will be invited to provide volunteer services. Of course, they may contribute additional funds to Investees on their own.

Can I pay for an SVP Partnership with something other than cash?

Yes, you can use corporate matching funds and stock transfers.  Please request the form when you become a partner today.

How does SVP decide on what grantmaking areas to fund?

Each year, SVP conducts a survey of our Partnership. Our Partners have the opportunity to select their top four choices for funding. Since 1997, SVP has funded Early Childhood Development, K-12 Education, and Out-of-School Time. In 2002, SVP added the Environment to its funding priorities.