Dear Friends of SVP,
As I plan an invigorating 2010 for SVP, I've had the opportunity to review our substantial successes in 2009.  In the spirit of celebrating the holidays and wrapping up another year, I’m dedicating this quarter's newsletter to highlighting our SVP accomplishments. 

I look forward to starting the New Year with renewed energy for creating positive change in our community through SVP.  May you and yours have a happy and healthy New Year, Jennie Arbogash

- SVP granted $75,000 and over 1,200 volunteer hours to four Boulder County non-profits including The Carriage House Community Table, Growing Gardens, Wild Plum Center for Young Children & Families, and The Women’s Wilderness Institute in 2009.  

- SVP partners worked on more than 20 investee capacity building projects in 2009.  A sampling includes: developing an employee manual, negotiating a land lease, executive coaching, leading a name change process, business planning, consulting on fundraising strategies, providing a life-cycle assessment, board development, consulting on a capital campaign, creating an investee video, analyzing program fee structures and providing proposals for improvements, auditing a database system and proposing software solutions, and marketing and fundraising plan development.

- SVP partners researched significant issues facing Boulder County and then voted for five focus areas for 2010 and 2011 including: Poverty & Workforce Development, Early Child Care & Development, Homelessness & Housing, Youth Programming During Out-of-School Time, and Health Care Access.  

- SVP hosted a moderated panel discussion between investees and partners on weathering this challenging economic climate.  

- SVP hosted three free WIN (What Interests Non-profits) luncheons for local non-profits with topics including Strategic Partnerships, Alliances, Mergers and More; Social Media: What are you waiting for?; and Aligning Finance with Mission.  These three sessions were attended by 85 non-profit professionals.

- The Portfolio Grants Commitee (PGC), comprised of 7 partners, donated almost 400 hours of their time between January and May of 2009 to complete our rigorous investee selection process.

- SVP hosted two educational events for Partners and guests on Working with Investees: Coaching Skills and Our Motto: Be Prepared – Board Legal Duties, Roles & Responsibilities.

- SVP held two business meetings for partners, investees and guests.  At these meetings partners voted on grants, focus areas, and executive committee leadership. We were pleased to experience strong attendance and have many partners involved in presenting at our business meetings.

- SVP held four open house events for SVP partners, investees, friends and guests.  The Open House events were attended by about 120 people and provided social time as well as information about SVP. 

- SVP produced a Biennial Partner Impact Survey & Report that shows the impact of SVP partnership on a member’s volunteer and philanthropic activity. The news is good!

- SVP produced a 2007 - 2008 Biennial Report highlighting the work of SVP.

- SVP produced a video to use for marketing, education, and presentations. The video was donated by partner People Productions, owner Brad Gilbert. The new SVP YouTube Channel is http://www.youtube.com/user/svpbouldercounty.

- SVP became active in social media efforts.  Follow us on Twitter at @svpboulder, on Facebook at group: Social Venture Partners Boulder County, and on LinkedIn at group: SVP Boulder County.

- The SVP website received a facelift with the addition of photos, quotes, and a new FAQ page.  Visit it at www.svpbouldercounty.org.

- Partner committees finalized most of the 2007-2010 Strategic Plan goals for SVP.  Goals were focused on: operations, partner satisfaction & engagement, graduation benchmarks for investees, expanding our reach through free educational events to all Boulder County non-profits, and adding two additional investees by 2011. 

- The Executive Committee collectively donated several hundred hours of time to serve as our representatives in governing SVP Boulder County.