September News

SV2's FY24-25 Impact Report 

SV2’s impact this last year reflects the power of community. By pooling resources, knowledge, and lived experience, our Partners supported transformative solutions and advanced equity. Our work not only demonstrates our collective generosity, but also our shared belief that lasting change comes from centering the voices and leadership of those closest to the issues. The results speak for themselves. 

Power, Policy & People: Shaping Environmental Justice Today

Thursday, 9/11 | 3:30pm - 5:00pm | In Person| SV2 Office 

Join us for a timely and powerful conversation on the shifting landscape of environmental justice where we bring together frontline leaders to explore how recent federal legislation, funding shifts, and policy rollbacks are reshaping the field, and how communities are responding with resilience, innovation, and action. Panelists also reflect on what it means to lead through challenging times, holding both urgency and hope, as we collectively chart a path forward.

For more information, please contact Linda Prieto at lprieto@sv2.org.

SV2 Happy Hour

Thursday, 9/11 | 5:00pm - 6:00pm | In Person | SV2 Office

Join us for a casual Happy Hour at the SV2 office -- 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 Mariana Aguilar at maguilar@sv2.org.

SV2 Impact Investing Annual Portfolio Review

Wednesday, 9/24 | 11:30am - 1:00pm | Zoom

Bring your lunch and join us online for SV2’s Annual Impact Investment Portfolio Review. This event will highlight the impact of our work from FY 2024-25 and provide updates on our current portfolio.

Each month, SV2 hosts two pitch meetings featuring early-stage, mission-driven social ventures raising seed funding. Through our immersive impact investing process, we bring together both seasoned and new investors to source, screen, select, and support entrepreneurs driving social impact.

In place of our September pitch meeting, we’re excited to showcase the traction and impact stories of our 31 current portfolio companies. We encourage you to bring a friend who’s curious about impact investing. We also warmly welcome SV2 Donor Partners who haven’t yet engaged with our impact investing work to join us.

For more information, please contact Suhani Mohan at smohan@sv2.org.

Poverty in America Today: Why are so Many People Struggling Financially?

Thursday, 9/25 | 1:00pm - 2:00pm | Zoom

We are excited to launch our series Poverty in America Today. Whether you joined our May kick-off event or not, join us for this important conversation examining why so many Americans are struggling to make ends meet in the world’s richest nation. Explore the hidden costs, systemic barriers, and urgent realities of poverty in America today. Amy Everitt, SV2 Partner and President of Golden State Opportunity, and Shimica Gaskins, President & CEO of End Child Poverty CA powered by GRACE, will be in conversation, sharing their expertise and insights on the urgent fight against poverty in America.

New Partner Orientation

Thursday, 10/6 | 5:00pm - 6:00pm | 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 & Impact Investing at SV2 | Case Studies

Tuesday, 10/7 | 11:00am - 1:00pm | In Person | SV2 Office

Explore how SV2’s bold approach to grantmaking and impact investing drives real change. Join our case study experience!

Advancing Immigrant Equity | Grant Round Kickoff Meeting #1

Tuesday, 10/14 | 5:00pm - 7:00pm | In Person | SV2 Office

Join us in person as we connect with inspiring and dynamic speakers, and have an insightful and connecting interactive format for our learning. We'll get insights about immigrant community strengths, organizational practices, challenges and opportunities, guidance for funders, and more. We'll also announce the five finalists for our Grant Round. Dinner will be served. 

More event details - e.g. speaker information and agenda will be announced soon! 

For more information, please contact Amy Badiani at abadiani@sv2.org.

SV2 Impact Investing | October Monthly Pitches

Wednesday, 10/15 | 11:30am - 1:00pm | Zoom

SV2 holds monthly meetings 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.

Family Philanthropy Interest Circle

Wednesday, 10/22 | 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 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.

SV2 Holiday Party

Thursday, 12/11 | 5:00pm - 7:30pm | In Person | SV2 Office

Join us for a fun and casual evening filled with delicious food, drinks, games, and holiday cheer! This is a family-friendly event. Dress code is casual.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Mariana Aguilar at maguilar@sv2.org.

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 PARTNER!

Karen Pace

Karen Pace is Ravenswood Education Learning’s (REL) founding Executive Director and is a Board member at All Five. Prior to REL, Karen supported education organizations through strategic projects management, leadership development, quality improvement, and communications. Her mission is to lead and uplift highly effective organizations as a proof-of-concept for policymakers and education leaders in support of greater educational equity for all. 

Ayudando Latinos A Soñar | Food Pantry

Saturday, 9/13 | Multiple Shifts | In Person | ALAS Wellness Center (507 Purissima Street, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019)

Volunteer at the Food Pantry and serve our Coastside families. Tasks include arrange, pack, tidy, categorize, count product, dismantle boxes, and more. More information and sign up here.

Brightline Defense | "Our Community Our Air"

Brightline celebrates three years of air quality community organizing. Their article includes 250+ needs assessment interviews, surveys, public comments on San Francisco's most vulnerable residents’ voices regarding air quality. Read more here.

Learning Home Volunteers | Help Change a Child’s Future

Only 30% of incoming kindergarteners have the skills they need to start school, leaving many 18 months behind. LHV is changing that, one child at a time, and we have new ways you can help.

Deliver Learning Boxes to Little Learners

Every 3 weeks, we deliver new learning sessions to families. You can help by driving; our staff will handle loading and unloading.

Deliver a Birthday Cake from Cake4Kids

Deliver a Cake4Kids cake to make a child’s birthday extra special.

To help, contact: info@learninghomevolunteers.org

Redwood City Together | Annual Report 

Check Out Redwood City Together’s Annual Report that highlights the partnerships, programs, and impact made possible through community collaboration. Explore the inspiring stories, key accomplishments, and future goals that are shaping a more connected and inclusive Redwood City and North Fair Oaks. Read more here.

Food Distribution with Redwood City Together | Community Initiative

Friday, 9/12 | In Person | Fair Oaks Community Center (2600 Middlefield Road, Redwood City, CA 94063)

Join us for some in person community volunteering! This is a monthly food distribution where 200-300 families benefit from free groceries. This is an exciting opportunity to be in community with Redwood City Together, our Community Initiative Grantee Partner. We seek up to 5 volunteers from the SV2 community each month.
 Sign up here.

Welcoming Week with Redwood City Together

Monday, 9/8 to Sunday, 9/21| In Person 

Join us September 8-21 as we celebrate the diverse communities of Redwood City and North Fair Oaks! 

City Council Proclamation for Welcoming Week
Monday September 8th at 6pm - Redwood City Hall Council Chambers

Visit the Welcoming Week website with more details about each event! Learn more here.

Tarjimly | Volunteer as a Community Translator

Become a Community Interpreter. Volunteer as a community translator and help eliminate language barriers for people accessing critical services—whenever and wherever you can.

More information and sign up here.

The José Valdés Math Institute | Volunteer Opportunities

Join us in making a meaningful impact by dedicating your time and skills to our programs year-round. Our volunteer opportunities encompass a wide range of areas: Grantmaking, Guest Lecturer, Fundraising, Legal Services, Event Planning, Outreach, or Tutoring. More information and sign up 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.