Participate in SV2’s Fall 2023 Grant Round: Mental Health & Wellbeing

Mental health impacts all of us – the individual, family, community, and our world. The Bay Area, known for its vibrant culture, technological advancements, and thriving economy, struggles with unique challenges to mental health and wellbeing. This Fall, SV2 seeks to help 2 local organizations advance the adult and youth Mental Health & Wellbeing journey. Join us as we learn, participate, and select 2 organizations to receive $150,000 unrestricted funding ($75,000 each). We’d love community nomination and insights! Please share here by Sept. 1st, 2023: bit.ly/communitynominations.

Mental Health & Wellbeing Grant Round | Informational Open House

Tuesday, 8/15 | 12:30pm - 1:30pm | Zoom

SV2's Fall 2023 Grant Round is focused on Mental Health & Wellbeing. The Open House is for those engaged in our grantmaking: our current Grantee and Investee Partners, SV2 Donor Partners, Teens, and other Friends of SV2. We'll learn community insights. We’ll also discuss our equitable and trust-based philanthropy grantmaking practices. We're in for another great learning experience making an impact together! 

SV2 Happy Hour

Wednesday, 8/23  | 4:00pm - 6:00pm | In Person

SV2 Office (350 Twin Dolphin Drive #103, Redwood City, CA)

Join us for a casual Happy Hour at the SV2 office -- come connect with old friends and make some new ones. We'll have drinks and light snacks, and we look forward to seeing you there! Please reach out with questions to Jody at jchang@sv2.org.

SV2 Impact Investing | September Monthly Pitches

Wednesday, 9/13 | 11:30am - 1:00pm | Zoom

The SV2 Impact Investing Group (IIG) meets monthly to hear two social enterprise startups pitch. Partners are invited to provide input on the pitches and volunteer to participate on due diligence teams. All SV2 Partners are welcome to begin regularly attending IIG meetings at any point in the year or are welcome to attend meetings on a drop-in basis. Immediately following the Monthly Pitches, the Investment Committee (IC) convenes to hear the due diligence reports from the previous month and make investment decisions on behalf of SV2. All Partners in IIG are welcome to observe the IC Meetings immediately following the Monthly Pitches.

WELCOME NEW SV2 PARTNERS

Matt & Jan Aiello

Matt is a Partner with Heidrick & Struggles, a leading global executive search firm.  He leads the firms' global cybersecurity practice and has been in executive search for over 20 years. He has served for four years on the board of EndPoverty, a non profit that gives micro-loans to individuals and businesses in developing countries especially in Africa. Jan is a professional artist, has taught art at the elementary, middle school and high school levels, and has a strong interest in creating art, art education, and art therapy. They’ve both been active in church in various capacities around teaching, counseling and leading music. They are interested as well in mental health generally, teen mental health, breast cancer treatment/prevention, and just about anything involving the arts and music. They are looking for ways to give back and get involved in helping to meet urgent needs here in the Bay Area.

 Leslie Rodriguez 

Leslie Rodriguez is a partner at a statewide public affairs firm and works on issues related to housing, economic development, and education. In addition to her professional work as a lobbyist, she engages in volunteer work that supports the unhoused and migrants from Central America. She joined SV2 to be part of a diverse group of committed individuals who are working independently and together to solve some of the problems that we face in California and the Bay Area.

    Mike Walsh

Mike Walsh spent 33 years in the tech sector as a software engineer and entrepreneur, with a notable success in Quotient Technology (known for Coupons.com). After retiring in 2018, he has contributed funds towards academic, philanthropic, and entrepreneurial efforts, with an emphasis on smaller ventures where those funds can be more effective. He also spends time with young scientists and entrepreneurs (chiefly through his alma maters) in a mentoring effort.

SV2 BOOK CLUB READING LIST

The Social Impact Book Club, led by SV2 Partner Paru Desai, is for current Partners only and meets on the 3rd Sunday of each month. Join the Book Club on mySV2!

Food Distribution with Redwood City Together

Friday, 8/11 | 3:00-6:00PM | In Person
Fair Oaks Community Center 2600 Middlefield Rd. Redwood City, CA 94063

Join us for some community volunteering! This is a monthly food distribution where 200-250 families benefit from free groceries. This is an exciting in person volunteer opportunity to be in community with Redwood City Together, our new Community Initiative Grantee Partner. We have five slots available for the SV2 community each month.

Mujeres Unidas y Activas

We are seeking English Language Tutors to work one on one with staff on Zoom. The commitment is 1-2 hrs per week and training is provided. Contact María José Bastias (mariajose@mujeresunidas.net) to learn more and apply.

Brightline Defense

Brightline Defense released new impact reports:

• Pass the Microphone: Our Community, Our Air

• A Path Forward: Empowering Communities in Pacific Offshore Wind Development

One Life Counseling

Want to make a difference but don’t have a lot of time to volunteer? We love food donations on Fridays for our Monday Markets. One Life’s Monday Market serves over 1,200 meals. Bring any shelf stable donations on Friday 10am-2pm at 1033 Laurel St., San Carlos and we will get them to clients with food insecurity.  More Info here.

Pal Center

Are you looking to apply for our Fall After-School Program? Our Community Care and Enrichment Program creates opportunities for children to try new activities, discover hidden talents, and build new friendships through in-person and passion-based learning projects. More Info and Register here for Fall.

Redwood City Together 

• Take a look at our annual report to learn how we’re working towards our goals of wellness, education, and equity. 

• Congrats to Redwood City Together for being named an All-America City Award Finalist! 

Silicon Valley Social Venture Fund (SV2) is a learning community of everyday givers committed to accelerating equity in the Bay Area through grantmaking and impact investing. For over 20 years, SV2 has been a trusted social innovation leader supporting locals to connect, learn, and practice giving in community alongside their peers.