October News

Alumni Grantees’ Work Inspires at SV2 “Stories of Impact” Event

Four amazing Alumni Grantee Partners returned to SV2 to share about their current work and impact, and to reflect on the effect that SV2 funding and beyond-the-dollars support had on their organizations – in one case, almost 20 years ago. Participants left energized and inspired by what they heard about how social impact can be sustained and deepened over time.

Philanthropy Happy Hour

Tuesday, 10/15 | 5:30pm - 7:00pm | In Person | Global Philanthropy Forum | 110 The Embarcadero, San Francisco 94105

We invite you to join us for a happy hour to connect with other philanthropists and those who are striving to make the world better. This is a private event for those who are part of (or interested in learning more about) The Global Philanthropy Forum, Forward Global, SV2, Women Moving Millions or Next Legacy.

We’d love for you to bring a friend! If you plan to bring guests, please share their names and emails in the registration form to confirm their attendance. Questions? Email Kathryn Zekus, Director of Philanthropy at Next Legacy.

SV2 Impact Investing | October Monthly Pitches

Wednesday, 10/16 | 11:30am - 1:00pm | Zoom 

The SV2 Impact Investing Group meets monthly on Zoom 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 pitch meetings at any point in the year or are welcome to attend meetings on a drop-in basis. Immediately following the pitch meeting, 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 are welcome to observe the IC Meetings immediately following the pitch meeting.

Partners Sharing Passions

Tuesday, 10/22 | 5:00pm - 6:00pm | Zoom

Have an exceptional nonprofit you'd like to share with others? Is there a social impact area you are passionate about and want to inspire others to learn more? Want to hear about the nonprofits and causes that your peers support? Join your fellow SV2 Partners on Zoom to learn about the causes closest to their hearts. Partners will have three minutes to "pitch" one nonprofit, social enterprise, or social impact cause, and we’ll share information on all organizations afterwards for those who would like to learn more.

New Partner Orientation

Wednesday, 10/23 | 1:00pm - 2:00pm | Zoom

You’re a new Partner and we want to connect you to our community! Meet other new Partners and get oriented to the ins and outs of SV2 – programming, community norms and guidelines, answers to FAQs and more.

Grantmaking:

Community Organizing Grant Round Meeting #2 | Get to Know Each Other

Thursday, 10/24 | 12:00pm - 2:00pm | Zoom

In Meeting #2 on Zoom, we'll hear directly from each of our five finalist organizations about their inspiring mission and work. SV2 and the finalist organizations will get to know each other. Each Executive Director, along with any key teammates they’d like to bring, will share more about their journeys, their organization's changemaking, impact and leadership, and open up for questions.

Family Philanthropy Interest Circle

Tuesday, 10/29 | 12:00pm - 1:00pm | Zoom

The Family Philanthropy Interest Circle is a Partner-led group which provides a safe space to explore giving experiences, successes, and challenges in an ongoing, intimate setting. If you are a current Donor Partner with a family foundation, a donor advised fund, family office, or some other structured family giving vehicle, please join us. This event is for current SV2 Donor Partners only, and is led by Deb Dauber. 

Venture Investing Fundamentals

Tuesday, 11/19 | 3:00pm - 5:00pm | In Person | SV2 Office

Investing in startups can be rewarding in many ways, allowing investors to build wealth, deploy their capital in direct accordance with their values, and further innovation. SV2 Partner Nancy Hayes will present this "Venture Investing Fundamentals" learning session. The material is intended to make early stage investing approachable for newer investors and will also serve as a helpful refresher for those who have more experience. The session will be followed by a Happy Hour for further connection and networking.

SV2 Happy Hour

Tuesday, 11/19 | 5:00pm - 7:00pm | In Person | SV2 Office

SV2 Holiday Party

Thursday, 12/12 | 5:00pm - 7:30pm | In Person | SV2 Office

SV2 BOOK CLUB READING LIST

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

WELCOME NEW SV2 PARTNERS

Deepti Sharma

Deepti Sharma is the co-founder of an online platform that brings together the innovation triangle—government, private sector, and academia—to collaborate on global challenges. With over 15 years of experience, Deepti is a seasoned business strategy and operations leader, known for driving corporate growth and providing insights that align strategic goals with daily operations. She has supported both defense and civilian customers in the federal government consulting space, implementing governance frameworks and methodologies to predict risks and take preventive actions early. Deepti has also volunteered with organizations focused on education and supporting differently-abled individuals. Currently, she is a mentor with the Miller Center at Santa Clara University, where she helps guide social entrepreneurs working to address global challenges. Deepti holds a Master of Engineering from Cornell University and a Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering from Mumbai University.

Jason Zajac

Jason Zajac has been a strategic leader and executive in the technology industry for over 20 years, with experience in large Fortune 500 firms and a top management consultancy as well as in small and mid-sized entrepreneurial environments. He has been a board member, advisor, and mentor to companies and to individuals at all levels of seniority. Jason was most recently the Chief Strategy Officer at Arm, the world’s leading semiconductor IP company, and prior to Arm he held executive roles in strategy, business and corporate development, and general management at companies including NBCUniversal, HP, Yahoo, and Palm. Jason was also a Partner and Managing Director at the Boston Consulting Group in the firm’s Technology, Media, and Telecommunications practice. Jason graduated from Stanford University with an A.B. in International Relations and he received his MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

Climate Resilient Communities

Climate Summit for San Mateo County 

Tuesday, 10/8 | 8:00-4:30PM 

South San Francisco Conference Center: 255 S Airport Blvd, San Francisco, 94080

Our vision is that every person in San Mateo County and beyond breathes clean air, drinks clean water, lives in a healthy home, and is part of a disaster-resilient community in which their voice matters. The Summit is a venue to push for the policy change, cross-sector partnerships, and power shifting necessary to achieve this vision. This event is collaboratively planned by Nuestra Casa, Climate Resilient Communities, Rise South City and Thrive Alliance with the goal of highlighting the needs and voices of underrepresented communities that are confronting the uneven impacts of climate change. More Info here. RSVP here by Oct. 3.

Food Distribution with Redwood City Together

Friday, 10/11 | 3:00-6:00PM | In Person
Fair Oaks Community Center (2600 Middlefield Rd. Redwood City)

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. RSVP here.

Tarjimly

We're on the lookout for bilingual heroes ready to transform lives through the Tarjimly app. If you speak any of the languages highlighted in our charts, your skills are exactly what we need to overcome language barriers as a volunteer translator. We’re waiting for you, join us today on the Tarjimly app! More Info here. Volunteer Next Steps here.

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.