May News

We’re thrilled to invite you to join SV2’s Trip to the US South: Race, Equity, & American Identity. On this week-long journey into the heart of the US racial justice and civil rights movement, we will visit key historical sites and meet with local advocates and leaders in New Orleans, Jackson, Selma, and Montgomery. Our purpose is to deepen our understanding of American history and current realities, especially around race and justice, and to ask what our own role is in fostering equity.

As one participant shared, “The U.S. South trip was one of the very best experiences I have had with SV2. This trip was invaluable in expanding my sense of real lived history and its legacy, improving my thinking about my philanthropic engagement on national issues, and providing a great week of learning and sharing with a group of our incredibly interesting SV2 colleagues.” Getting proximate is a key practice for those who want to grow as social change-makers, and this trip is a powerful way to listen to and learn from multiple community voices. A participant from last year reflected, “The courageous leaders we met every day on this trip continue to be an inspiration even now, a half year after this wonderful journey.”

Please join us for an Info Session on May 21. The info session and the trip are open to friends of SV2 and ecosystem partners, as well as the SV2 community. 

New Partner Orientation

Monday, 5/13 | 2:00pm - 3:00pm | 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.

SV2 Annual Impact Investment Portfolio Review

Wednesday, 5/15 | 11:30am - 1:00pm | Zoom

Bring your lunch and join us online for our SV2 Annual Impact Investment Portfolio Review. In May, instead of a pitch meeting, we are proud to highlight the market growth and impact stories of our 26 current portfolio companies. We encourage you to bring a friend interested in impact investing, and we also warmly welcome SV2 Donor Partners who have not been involved in impact investing to join us.

SV2 Social Impact Book Club | May

Sunday, 5/19 | 6:30pm - 8:30pm | Zoom

The SV2 Book Club meets monthly to discuss the latest book on their reading list and explore social issues. All SV2 Partners are invited to participate. Please join the Book Club community on mySV2 for each month's reading selections and additional information.

Grantee Partner Updates and Celebration Meeting

Monday, 5/20 | 12:00pm - 2:30pm | Zoom

Join us on Zoom to learn more about our outstanding Grantee Partners! In this meeting, you’ll learn more about what our Grantee Partners do, their impact, examples of SV2’s impact, and ways we can continue to support them. We’ll celebrate community strengths, learn about challenges, and hear their feedback for SV2.

US South Trip Information Session

Tuesday, 5/21 | 1:00pm - 2:00pm | Zoom

Please join us for an information session to learn more about SV2’s upcoming Trip to the US South: Race, Equity, & American Identity. You’ll hear directly from past trip participants, who have expressed that this trip was one of the most rewarding, intensive and eye-opening learning experiences they’ve ever had. The info session and the trip are open to friends of SV2 and ecosystem partners, as well as the SV2 community. 

Health Equity Interest Group

Tuesday, 5/21 | 3:00pm - 4:30pm | Zoom

This Partner-led group meets monthly to learn more about health inequities in the US. We pick a different topic to dive into each month, and attendees are encouraged to look at these or do some research on their own on the topic in advance. Topics are posted 2-3 weeks ahead of time on the mysv2 platform and emailed to everyone who is registered. Please reach out to Deb Dauber with any questions.

Family Philanthropy Interest Circle

Wednesday, 5/29 | 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 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 Happy Hour - Sunnyvale

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

Join us at an SV2 Happy Hour on Thursday, May 30 for drinks and light refreshments at the Sunnyvale home of SV2 Partners Tara Maddala and Brad Waugh. There will be a brief presentation by Michelle Galloway, a patent attorney at Cooley LLP, lecturer at Stanford Law School and Santa Clara Law School, and current Board Member of Second Harvest. Join us for a tantalizing discussion of finding opportunities for impact by focusing on “hidden needs” in our community. Please feel free to bring friends who might want to learn about SV2 and consider joining as Partners. We look forward to seeing you there!

SV2 Impact Investing | June Monthly Pitches

Wednesday, 6/12 | 11:30am - 1:00pm | Zoom

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

Braven Bay Area

Check out Braven’s 2024 Bay Area Jobs Report! Together with our higher education and employer partners, we’re 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.

College is Real | Annual Gala

Monday, 7/22 | 5:30pm - 9:30pm

Join us for College Is Real's annual Gala - The Barbie Ball (with Ken). Hear inspiring College Is Real student stories and an exciting live auction. Emceed by NBC Bay Area News reporter Garvin Thomas, the evening will feature all things Barbie... themed attire, beverages and entertainment. Plus Ken! We can't wait to welcome our friends and supporters, introduce you to our outstanding students and celebrate College Is Real's success. More Info here.

One Life Counseling

Fridays | 10:00am - 2:00pm

Want to make a difference but don’t have a lot of time to volunteer? We love food donations on Fridays for our Monday Markets. One Life’s Monday Market serves over 1,200 meals. Bring any shelf stable donations at 1033 Laurel St. San Carlos and we will get them to clients with food insecurity. More Info here.

Pal Center | Building a Brighter Future: Community Symposium Against the Preschool-to-Prison Pipeline

Friday, 5/17 | 9:30am - 1:30pm

Chan Zuckerberg Community Space

801 Jefferson Ave. Redwood City, CA

The event will address the root causes of the preschool-to-prison pipeline, bridge communication gaps, and foster a
cohesive effort against exclusionary discipline. With shared commitment and action among attendees, we will empower our San Mateo County community of children, families, and educators to achieve equity and inclusivity, by breaking the cycle of the preschool-to-prison pipeline. RSVP here.

Redwood City Together | World Café 2024

Thursday, 5/9 | 5:30pm - 8:00pm

Sequoia High School - Multi Purpose Room

This year's World Café will highlight supporting unhoused individuals and de-stigmatizing mental health supports for unhoused communities. Come learn from local leaders and community members, express your own perspective, and enjoy a free dinner in a welcoming space! Dinner and refreshments, English-Spanish translation, and childcare will be provided. RSVP here.

Redwood City Together | Food Distribution 

Friday, 5/10 | 3:00pm - 6:00pm

Fair Oaks Community Center

2600 Middlefield Rd. Redwood City, CA

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.

Silicon Valley Philanthropy Day Nominations

Do you know an extraordinary philanthropist or volunteer worthy of recognition? The Association of Fundraising Professionals Silicon Valley (AFPSV) celebrates outstanding philanthropic efforts with its Philanthropy Day, featuring seven award categories. If you know a dedicated philanthropist, foundation, corporate grantmaker, or volunteer who has significantly contributed to the welfare and vibrancy of our community, nominate them by May 12, 2024. 

Save the date to join us in honoring these remarkable contributors at the event on November 1, 2024, at Villa Ragusa, Campbell, CA. Stay tuned for ticket information by following AFPSV on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or their website.

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.