March News

Introducing Linda Prieto, SV2's new Chief Program and Advancement Officer

We are delighted to introduce Linda Prieto as SV2’s new Chief Program & Advancement Officer! Linda works closely with team members on SV2’s programming and fund development. Linda has over a decade of experience leading nonprofits, most recently as the Executive Director of Upward Scholars, a former SV2 Grantee whose mission is to provide adult immigrants the boost they need to move up the economic ladder through education and career development support.

SV2 Grantmaking | Education Equity Grant Round Kickoff

Tuesday, 3/11 | 4:00pm - 6:30pm | In Person | SV2 Office

Join us in person to be inspired by examples of education equity in action! Gain insights from our speakers: Youth Leaders (Silicon Valley Urban Debate League), Anthony Walker (Ambition Angels), Elisa Chavez (Redwood City Together) & Sofy Navarro (49ers EDU) -- and get your questions answered during a live Q&A session. We'll also announce the five finalists for our Grant Round.

SV2 Impact Investing | March Monthly Pitches

Wednesday, 3/12 | 11:30am - 1:00pm | Zoom

The SV2 Impact Investing Group meets monthly 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.

SV2 Book Club | Author Visit 

Sunday, 3/16 | 6:30pm - 8:30pm | Zoom

Author Dorcas Cheng-Tozun will join SV2 book club for a fireside chat about her book Social Justice for the Sensitive Soul: How to Change the World in Quiet Ways. Whether you are just starting out or have been doing this work for a while, this book is for all of us working in the social justice space. Our deep care and compassion can be channeled into positive social impact. You don't have to have read the book to attend! All are welcome, including those who don't regularly attend SV2 Book Club meetings.

New Partner Orientation

Tuesday, 3/18 | 1:00pm - 2:00pm | 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.

Nonprofit Diligence with a Trust Based Lens

Tuesday, 3/25 | 3:00pm - 5:00pm | In Person | SV2 Office

Learn how to practice Trust Based Philanthropy in this interactive workshop. We’ll use a case study format to identify key “look for’s” and questions to ask as you consider your giving to nonprofits. We’ll introduce you to an organizational assessment framework and key indicators you can use in SV2’s nonprofit due diligence process and your own. The workshop is part of the “SV2 Essentials” curriculum, and is designed for both new and seasoned SV2 Partners – come for the first time, or come as a refresher. We’ve timed this workshop to coordinate with the currently running Education Equity Grant Round. We especially encourage Grant Round participants to attend. The workshop will be followed by a Happy Hour for more time to socialize and connect with the SV2 community.

SV2 Happy Hour

Tuesday, 3/25 | 5:00pm - 6:30pm | In Person | SV2 Office

Join us for a casual Happy Hour at the SV2 office — come 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 Yajaira at ychavez@sv2.org.

Family Philanthropy Interest Circle

Thursday, 3/27 | 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 Donor 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 Grantmaking | Education Equity Grant Round Meeting #2 | Get to Know Each Other

Tuesday, 4/1 | 12:30pm - 2:30pm | Zoom

Join us as we get to know our five inspiring Grant Round finalists! We'll hear about their mission and work and they'll get to know SV2. Each Executive Director, along with any key teammates they’d like to bring, will share more about their journeys, their organization's changemaking, impact and leadership, and open up for questions.

Community Impact and Celebration Night | Spring Connections

Wednesday, 4/9 | 5:30pm - 8:00pm | In Person |

Community Activities Building (1400 Roosevelt Avenue, Redwood City, CA 94061)

Join us for an in person family-friendly celebration! Learn about community resources, engage in dialogues about education, equity, and wellness, enjoy community talent and pride through vibrant performances and have fun! We'll savor delicious food and drinks from local businesses. Child care and interpretation support will be provided. 

Equity & Power Sharing Workshop

Tuesday, 4/15 | 6:00pm - 8:00pm | In Person | SV2 Office

A commitment to equity and sharing power is a core guiding principle at SV2. We recognize deep inequities in our community, highlighted more than ever in this time of turmoil and uncertainty. It is more important than ever to come together to deepen our knowledge and empathy, and to implement equity and power sharing practices in our work. Join us at this in-person workshop to explore these foundational values together in an energizing mix of dynamic exercises, Partner testimonials, and group discussion. This session is geared for Partners who are newer to SV2, as well as any Partner who wants a refresher on how SV2 strives to live these values. 6:00pm - Dinner and connection. 6:30pm - Session begins.

SV2 Impact Investing | April Monthly Pitches

Wednesday, 4/16 | 11:30am - 1:00pm | Zoom

The SV2 Impact Investing Group meets monthly 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.

SV2 Grantmaking | Education Equity Grant Round Meeting #3 | Learning + Sharing

Thursday, 4/24 | 12:15pm - 2:30pm | In Person | SV2 Office

Join us in person! SV2 Partners will go deeper in their learning about the five finalist organizations by 'doing our homework' (learning about the organizations from what they have already shared publicly) and discussing the results of the coffee chats and our financial review. 

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!

Food Distribution with Redwood City Together

Friday, 3/14 | 3:00-6:00PM | In Person | Fair Oaks Community Center (2600 Middlefield Rd., Redwood City, CA 94063)

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.

Peer Coaching Session with Redwood City Together | Community Initiative

Thursday, 4/17 | 11:30AM-1:00PM | Zoom

Come listen, learn, and share impactful guidance to advance the success of youth and families. Join us for an inspiring and impactful discussion with Redwood City Together (SV2's Community Initiative Grantee Partner). We welcome new and seasoned Partners alike to participate. You do not have to be a Redwood City or North Fair Oaks resident to be a valuable participant. RSVP 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.