New Partner Orientation

Wednesday, 1/18 | 1:00pm - 2:00pm PT | Zoom

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

U.S. South Trip Partner Sharing

Thursday, 1/19 | 12:00pm - 1:00pm PT | Zoom

In October, ten SV2 Partners and CEO David Onek took an unforgettable journey with Telos Group to New Orleans, Jackson, Selma, and Montgomery, into the heart of the US racial justice and civil rights movement. Participants visited key historical sites and met with local advocates and leaders, deepening their understanding of our history and of the advocacy efforts on the ground today. Join this session to hear reflections about the trip from our Partners followed by an open discussion.

Getting Proximate: 

"Richness in Richmond"

On October 31st, SV2 Partners and staff met students at Richmond High School and learned more about the Richmond community. It was such a treat! Twelve very bright and talented students who engage in the programs of College is Real, SV2 Grantee Partner, led us through a tour of their school.

SV2 Grantmaking & Impact Investing:

Our Approach and Practice

Thursday, 2/16 | 11:30am - 1:00pm PT | In-Person - SV2 office
Address: 350 Twin Dolphin Drive, Suite 103, Redwood City, CA

Join us for a closer look at how SV2 approaches both grantmaking and impact investing. Learn about the values that inform our approach, and the distinctives of our collective practice. This session is geared for newer Partners as well as any Partner who wants a refresher or who has not been involved in these core parts of our engaged philanthropy model. 11:30am: Lunch and networking. 12:00pm: Session begins.

Impact Investing Group (IIG):

January Monthly Pitches 

Wednesday, 1/11 | 11:30am - 2:00pm PT | Zoom

The SV2 Impact Investing Group (IIG) convenes monthly on the 2nd or 3rd Wednesday to hear two social enterprise startups and/or impact venture funds pitch. January pitches will be ATDev (Assistive Technology Development) and 4P Foods. Partners are invited to provide input on the pitches and volunteer to work with staff and Partner Leaders on due diligence. 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 are Investment Committee (IC) meetings to report on due diligence from the previous month and make decisions on investment selection on behalf of SV2. All Partners in IIG are welcome to observe the IC Meetings immediately following the Monthly Pitches.

For current SV2 Partners only. If you are considering a donation to SV2 and joining our community, contact Bonnie Lin at blin@sv2.org to receive a complimentary pass.

Kera Jewett brings over 15 years in the nonprofit sector serving in key fundraising staff roles, board positions, and working alongside others to launch three nonprofit organizations. She has participated in or led three capital campaigns and most recently built the first Principal Gifts program at the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank. Her expertise lies in building sustainable philanthropic models for organizations through authentic relationships and demonstrated outcomes. Her passion project is building donor communities that lift community voices and solutions.

Laura Finnigan-Heil’s interest in social equity dates back to college – in Washington DC, she observed the privilege that extreme wealth can bring while at Georgetown University. Through volunteering at Title 1 schools and at women’s shelters, she saw how many live in extreme poverty without any social power. After college, she devoted her time to growing her own career and establishing herself in the Tech sphere. After a very fortuitous return on investment, she decided to leave her career in tech to pursue more philanthropic interests (she completed a Master’s in Education) and spend more time with her young kiddos.

Tara Sood is an Emergency Physician with special interest in Humanitarian Aid. Her volunteer experience has ranged from working in refugee camps around the world, deploying to areas acutely affected by natural disasters, advocating for the rights of refugees/asylum seekers, and fostering special needs dogs.

Braven | Economic Opportunity

Braven received an $11M gift from the philanthropist MacKenzie Scott! "This catalytic gift will allow Braven to move with greater speed towards this ambition, take strategic risks to open up more impact and make critical infrastructure investments much sooner." Diana Phuong, Braven Bay Area Executive Director kindly shared "Braven is only at this moment of growth because of partners like SV2 who have taken early bets on Braven and invested in our mission to empower students on their paths to economic mobility." Learn more.

Code Tenderloin | Workforce Development

There are various volunteer needs (both in person and online) at Code Tenderloin, starting at 1-2 hours/week. We can work with students directly and help them secure long term employment and succeed at their work places. Learn more

ICA | Business Accelerator

Shop the ICA Marketplace! | By shopping with us, you’re helping the Bay Area small business ecosystem thrive. Shop now

Safe & Sound | Child Abuse Prevention

Use your lunch break for good! Invite Safe & Sound staff to inform and educate the employees at your company. Child abuse is a pervasive, often overlooked, ill in our community. While our city faces many social challenges, including poverty, homelessness, crime, and addiction, child abuse is often the hidden, contributing factor that directly impacts all of us. Eradicating child abuse from society will take effort from all of us, and you can help. Host a Lunch & Learn

Upward Scholars | Economic Inclusion

Supporting local small businesses started and owned by Upward Scholars students and alumni helps students continue to live out their entrepreneurial dreams! Support a student

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!

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.