Dear SV2 Partners,

Giving Tuesday is Tuesday, November 28th 2023.

I’m delighted to share our Annual Holiday Giving Guide celebrating our current Grantee Partners. Their work and leadership in the Bay Area speaks for itself. On Giving Tuesday and beyond, let’s support these impactful organizations and celebrate their work, authenticity, and wellbeing. Your giving locally is deeply appreciated!

Special shoutouts to all of our thoughtful and dedicated Partner Champions for their friendship and impact alongside our Grantee Partners - their names are below. If you'd like to support our Grantee Partners beyond donations, please get in touch with the Partner Champions and me.

Wishing all a joyful and fulfilling holiday season. Thank you for all you do!

Best wishes,

Amy Badiani

Director of Community Engagement
Silicon Valley Social Venture Fund (SV2) 

abadiani@sv2.org  

Braven

EIN: 46-4340594

SV2 Partner Champions:

Helen Jiang & Praneetha Manthravadi

Braven empowers promising, underrepresented young people — first generation college students, students from low-income backgrounds, and students of color — with the skills, confidence, experiences and networks necessary to transition from college to strong first jobs, which lead to meaningful careers and lives of impact.

Brightline Defense

EIN: 33-1131608

SV2 Partner Champion: Laura Finnigan-Heil

Brightline Defense is an environmental justice nonprofit organization that works to empower communities and create sustainable environments. The Brightline team blends public policy advocacy and on-the-ground partnerships to promote sustainability and opportunity in traditionally underserved communities. We promote sustainable policies ranging from local hiring to clean energy to energy efficiency.

Climate Resilient Communities 

EIN: 88-1697378

SV2 Partner Champion: Nancy Grove

Climate Resilient Communities (CRC) is a community-based organization empowering community voices to implement equitable climate solutions for unity, resilience, and justice. We cultivate environmental awareness while giving local residents a voice in proactive resilience planning and adaptation. By building stronger alliances between residents, schools, local government programs and community-based organizations, this work creates resilience against climate-related stresses such as sea-level rise and economic instability.

Code Tenderloin

EIN: 46-1228251 (note this is the EIN for Center for New Music San Francisco Inc, fiscal sponsor)

SV2 Partner Champion: Helen Jiang

Code Tenderloin provides pathways for personal and career skill development, vocational and digital training, and connection to living wage jobs for people moving through life transitions. We also provide barrier removal through our one-on-one case management services for individuals experiencing homelessness, justice-involved families, and those with mental or physical health challenges. Since 2015, we have reached over 15,000 community members with an 87% job placement rate.

College Is Real, Inc.

EIN: 20-8651702

SV2 Partner Champions: Deb Dauber & Susan Hanson

College is Real provides guidance and tools for “college-aspirational” students at Richmond’s three public high schools in order to have as many students as possible apply to, attend, and graduate from four-year colleges. CIR wants to change the lives of the students in the program so they can ultimately improve the lives of their families and change their communities.

Mujeres Unidas y Activas

EIN: 20-2986926

SV2 Partner Champion: Lisa Hanson

Mujeres Unidas y Activas (MUA) is a grassroots organization of Latina and indigenous immigrant women with a dual mission of promoting personal transformation and building community power for social and economic justice. MUA provides direct services (peer counseling, English classes, life coaching, art therapy, etc) and conducts advocacy campaigns (training and developing women to become leaders in local, statewide and national movements for immigrant rights and domestic worker rights).

One Life Counseling

EIN: 81-0919786

SV2 Partner Champions: Ellen Lussier & Polly Ragusa

One Life Counseling Center is a nonprofit dedicated to transforming lives through accessible and culturally sensitive mental health services. With a focus on diverse mental health needs, we extend our services to immigrants, the economically disadvantaged, uninsured, and underinsured residents. Supported by a team of 120 therapists fluent in 8 languages, donations empower us to provide flexible appointments, foster collaborative partnerships, offer sliding scale counseling, and comprehensive wraparound services. Our commitment is unwavering, maintaining an open door for all, emphasizing community strength through shared service, and ensuring accessible and affordable mental health services.

Pal Center

EIN: 94-3229506

SV2 Partner Champion: Jim Basile

Pal Center is a core resource that co-creates solutions with our community and builds brighter futures for youth and families. We achieve our mission by merging the dedication and experience of public safety and service providers with community resources and PAL Center programming to provide equitable enrichment opportunities focused on wellness and mentorship, which improves life outcomes for individuals and families.

Puente de la Costa Sur

EIN: 37-1484262

SV2 Partner Champions: Cynthia Lang & Kwok Lau

Puente de la Costa Sur fosters wellness and prosperity in the San Mateo County, South Coast communities of Pescadero, La Honda, Loma Mar, and San Gregorio by promoting and advocating for equitable access to education, health, and economic security. Puente believes that self-sufficiency of individuals, families, and communities is essential for turning future dreams into reality. In fiscal year 2022-2023, 1,672 individuals accessed financial assistance, dental care coordination, internships and leadership development for youth ages 14-21, services for the 60+ community members, mental health support for all ages and much more.

Redwood City Together

Redwood City Together brings community residents together with local organizations and public agencies to reduce the impact of poverty, improve the academic success of students, increase community engagement, and enhance safety.

StreetCode Academy

EIN: 81-4041822

SV2 Partner Champions: Jan Half & Jennifer Min

StreetCode Academy’s vision is to create a world where people of color have the power of connection, innovation, and freedom. We offer free courses in coding, entrepreneurship, and design, taught by instructors reflective of the community, where we share the mindset, skills, and access needed to embrace tech and innovation.

SV@Home

SV2 Partner Champion: Susan Ketcham

SV@Home is the voice for affordable housing in Silicon Valley. A membership organization, SV@Home advocates for policies, programs, land use, and funding that increase the production of new housing, preservation of existing homes and neighborhoods, and protection of tenants. SV@Home also educates elected officials and the community about the need for housing and the link between housing and other quality of life outcomes.

Upward Scholars

EIN: 45-4128140

SV2 Partner Champions: Clara Roa & Jon Goulden

Upward Scholars is a Latinx-led organization that provides adult immigrant community college students the boost they need to move up the economic ladder by offering academic, financial, career development, and holistic support. 

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 offering a way for locals to connect, learn, and practice giving in community alongside their peers.