Fall Connections Recap 

In mid-October, we had an energizing gathering of over 60 changemakers. Thanks to all who joined our Fall Connections: Voices from our Community event at the beautiful and inspiring EPACENTER! The evening was filled with joyful catchups, dance, delicious local eats and drinks, and of course, motivating social impact breakouts.

US South Trip Group Journal

In the Heart of the US Racial Justice & Civil Rights Movement

In October, ten SV2 Partners and the CEO journeyed with Telos Group to New Orleans, Jackson, Selma, and Montgomery, into the heart of the US racial justice and civil rights movement.  Participants described meeting local advocates and leaders as transformative in deepening their understanding of our history. Getting proximate is a key SV2 practice and this trip was another step in listening to and learning from multiple community voices. SV2 Partner Paru Desai will be hosting a lunch and learn event in January and a video will be forthcoming. In the meantime, we invite you to read snippets from their group journal.

Impact Investing Group (IIG):

November Monthly Pitches 

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

Please join us next week as SV2 Partner Werner Goetz kicks us off with two company pitches in the first hour: 

1. ElectricFish is a distributed energy-storage-as-a-service startup providing fast charging to EVs and backup energy reserves to the grid. ElectricFish was founded by Forbes 30 Under 30 energy engineers and Stanford researchers Anurag Kamal and Folasade Ayoola and referred to SV2 by climate tech VC Powerhouse Ventures. 

2. AgTools is an award-winning SaaS platform powered by machine learning that gathers real-time government and institutional data of over 500 specialty crops and commodities to reduce the 30% food waste in the global supply chain. AgTools was founded by Colombia-born agriculture supply chain expert and Forbes Next 1000 Martha Montoya.  

Feel free to stay on for the second hour to observe the new Investment Committee discuss the pitches and diligence on past pitches: Ecotone Renewables, New Way Homes, and ElectricFish.

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.

SV2 Holiday Party

Thursday, 12/1 | 5:00pm - 8:00pm PT | SV2 Office

'Tis the season! Join us for a fun and casual evening of drinks, nibbles, and holiday cheer! We’re looking forward to celebrating together and welcoming everyone back to the newly reopened SV2 office. Happy Holidays!

As a Community Development Block Grant committee member, Karl knows how hard it is to thoughtfully give away money, and as a tech engineer, he wants to lend his expertise to make sure that philanthropy maximizes its potential. Diane works as a developer building affordable housing to serve formerly homeless, low income households, and households with disabilities.

Leighton and her husband Matt have lived in Silicon Valley since 2006 and have been deeply involved with supporting their community since starting their family here. She was on the board of the Burlingame Parents Club when her kids William and Audrey were born in 2009 and 20011, then moved to the Burlingame Community Education Foundation board from 2019 - 2020 when her kids were in elementary school. She recently moved into a board member position for the Burlingame Community Education foundation's endowment fund in 2022. In addition, Leighton recently made a career shift after 20 years working in marketing at advertising agencies, Clorox and Genentech, to apply her business skills to small mission driven organizations focused on women's empowerment. She is currently working pro bono for two nonprofit organizations including Ripples Foundation, a nonprofit focused on women's empowerment through entrepreneurship in Nigeria and Ghana, and Baseball for All, a nonprofit organization focused on growing opportunities for women in the sport of Baseball (her daughter is an avid baseball fan and player). She is also supporting two women founded startups in need of guidance and support in creating their business and marketing plans in the health and wellness and sustainable design sectors. Outside of her philanthropy work, Leighton spends a lot of time outside with her family, camping, hiking, and skiing in the Sierras.

Braven | Economic Opportunity

We are proving what’s possible when you empower the next generation of leaders with the skills, networks, experiences, and confidence necessary to launch a strong career. Check out their Impact Report!

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.