Amplified Impact Partners

After nearly two decades in San Diego’s nonprofit world, I wasn’t expecting something like SVP to feel so fresh. It’s pushed me to grow, connected me with amazing people, and given me new ways to use my skills for causes I care about. I’ve loved getting to work alongside folks from different backgrounds who all show up with heart and hustle. It’s been a really meaningful experience.

I am passionate about helping nonprofits run more effectively and making a real difference in our communities. Through my work with SVP, I’ve enjoyed transforming nonprofits from within—empowering them to be more efficient and successful in their missions. SVP helps bridge the knowledge gap many nonprofits have. I am proud to be part of such an impactful network.

Joining SVP has been an incredible way to fulfill my passion for making San Diego a better place. It’s given me the chance to engage deeply with local nonprofits, do meaningful work, and use my skills and expertise in ways that truly make a difference. Beyond the rewarding projects, I’ve met so many like-minded, passionate individuals who are just as dedicated to creating lasting change in our community. It’s been an inspiring journey, blending professional growth with a powerful social impact, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to contribute to something so impactful and fulfilling. Going into my 5th year with SD SVP and after more than 5 engagement projects with SD SVP, I can say we have really made a difference to communities in San Diego that need help. Join us, you can too!

I joined SVP looking for a more meaningful way to engage with my community, and it quickly became one of the most rewarding nonprofit experiences I have had. Through SVP’s engagement projects, I’ve had the chance to collaborate with passionate, skilled individuals and support nonprofits in fundamental ways. I have learned so much! It has been a pleasure connecting with other professionals, and while we may not always see the impact firsthand, the enthusiasm and gratitude from the nonprofits we serve make it clear that our work is making a real difference in how they operate.

The staff is outstanding, the board is actively supportive, the partners are exceptional, the projects are engaging, and the impact is far-reaching. Simply put, SVP has made my life and the lives of others better.

SVP has expanded my knowledge and connection to the community in ways I never expected. Through engagement projects, partner meetings, and conversations with professionals from different fields, I’ve gained insights far beyond what I started with. It’s been an incredible way to learn, grow, and gain new perspectives on challenges, while also sharing my expertise with others. SVP is such a unique organization for constructing a productive, rewarding way to bring for-profit professionals into the nonprofit sphere, and being able to use my skills to support nonprofits has been such a gratifying experience.

I have been on boards for many nonprofits over the years, but SVP’s mission and method stand out in their ability to support and sustain nonprofits on a very small budget. San Diego Social Venture Partners is a true one-for-all nonprofit that leverages the talents of scores of volunteers. It takes a lot of time and dedication for one organization to manage projects that support more than 30 others, each helping hundreds or even thousands of people. I’m extremely proud to be part of an organization with such a powerful impact.

The reach of SVP is truly expansive—our work doesn’t just support one organization at a time; it creates a ripple effect, strengthening the entire nonprofit ecosystem. Despite coming from the for-profit medical industry, I feel like I’m making a lasting change. I highly recommend SVP to anyone looking for a change of pace and an opportunity to not only give back but also improve the nonprofit process.

A coleagueof mine recommended I join SVP, and their genuine passion for the organization convinced me it was the right move. I couldn’t be happier with my decision. Over the past 3 years, I have helped nonprofits like Chicano Park Museum, Crisis House, the Karen Organization of San Diego, and T.H.E C.I.R.C.L.E by Epiphany. My experience has been very rewarding and I invite others to join us in transforming the community by supporting the nonprofits that serve us.

I joined SVP when I was taking a break and changing careers and had extra time. It was so rewarding, a great way to meet knew and wonderful people and learn more about what is going on in my own community. Even though I'm back to working full time and can give less time there are many flexible opportunities to participate. I highly recommend.

New to my role as BLCI's CEO, I sought out SVP to help the organization craft a vision for the future as we make our way towards our 30th anniversary in 2026. I was looking for thought partners to help BLCI's leadership focus on crafting a bold strategic plan for the next five years. Our Spark Team did just that! Over the course of a few months we were able to generate a strategic plan and have it meet our needs as an organization. We've completed many of our year one goals and look forward to year two. Thank you SVP!

Social Venture Partners gave us the structure and guidance we needed throughout the pandemic. They helped us make hard decisions during a pivotal moment in Kitchens for Good's history. I cannot speak highly enough about the team of Partners we worked with. Each brought a relevant expertise to the team that enabled KFG to execute and actualize our plans for the future. We have now doubled down on our identity as "Kitchens" and our earned revenue streams are complementing the hospitality sector.

I have volunteered with San Diego Social Venture Partners for over 13 years. They do amazing, unique, important work. Their mission is to empower individuals and organizations to accelerate positive social change in San Diego. Over their 20+ years in the area they have supported over 100 non-profits with over 48,000 hours of volunteer time. They provide pro-bono consulting to high potential organizations that are tackling San Diego's most pressing challenges, such as homelessness, human trafficking, foster care, education, military, elderly and immigrant issues, to name a few. The volunteers partner with the nonprofits to leverage their work and increase their impact by helping them in areas they might be struggling with such as strategic planning, marketing, board governance, program development, leadership development and budget planning. All areas that many non-profits are having difficulties with but don't know how to improve themselves. The pro-bono work that SDSVP has provided is priceless and has multiplied a hundredfold the impact that their clients have been able to provide in the community. They make a difference in ways that no other non-profit does. I am grateful to be part of their crucial work.

Community Resource Center connected with SVP at just the right time. We were looking for a better way to tell our story and measure impact in the community. When I met our SVP Spark Team, I knew their expertise could help take us across the finish line to develop and implement Key Performance Indicators. Our SVP engagement had a two-fold impact: one being the practical goal of the engagement - defining organizational KPIs - the second being a process that is providing us data that helps us better understand and improve the efficacy of our services to people who are experiencing hunger, homelessness and hurt.

San Diego Social Venture Partners provided critical support during a pivotal time at my organization. They really helped us grow our capacity and leadership skills. It was enjoyable to work with the SVP members. They contributed their ideas, wisdom, and time, but they also took time to learn from me and my team. Although our project with them is done, they continue to be a source of support. I've learned a lot by working with SVP and hope to stay connected with them for years to come!

Social Venture Partners recently assisted our organization through the strategic planning process. Not only were SVP volunteer consultants patient as we navigated through the planning, but they were proactive in keeping us on track. Thanks to their facilitation, we were able to conduct valuable visioning sessions with the added advantage of "outside" viewpoints and questions to consider. SVP's support allowed our small organization (with big plans) to properly plan and implement our strategic planning while ensuring that our precious resources were directly supporting on our Mission work. Thank you SVP and to your volunteer organizational professionals!

I became a partner/member of San Diego Social Venture Partners in 2008 after discovering that retirement and the empty nest were just not as fulfilling as I would have liked. Through SDSVP, I have not only met some of the nicest people one could hope to know, but I have had an opportunity to learn and grow both as a professional and a philanthropist. As one of our partners says: "it's better than an MBA". It's probably the best investment of both time and money that I have ever made, and that's saying something. Check it out - you'll be glad you did.

The San Diego Social Venture Partners has been instrumental in helping us become better philanthropists. In addition, we have made dozens friends through the network.

When I started looking for a meaningful volunteer experience after I retired, I found that most non-profits offered few opportunities that would allow me to contribute my professional expertise. Finally, I discovered San Diego Social Venture Partners and it has allowed me to help non-profits grow and develop in ways that have been extraordinarily satisfying. Along with funding non-profits, SDSVP partners with these agencies in capacity building help from its partners. It has been a joy for me to assist our investees (the agencies we fund for 3 years) to achieve extraordinary results -- which they do! Plus I have had the opportunity to work with the group of fabulous, fun and committed individuals -- the partners of SDSVP

I have been a Partner with SDSVP since 2004. I joined because I was convinced that the money donated was well spent. I don't like to give money to organizations because of emotion. I like to give because the money provides measurable improvements. SDSVP Partners are always focused on measurable improvements.

Getting involved with Social Venture Partners opened a whole new world of philanthropy for me in San Diego. I've met great people, both inside SVP and in the nonprofits we've worked with, and learned a ton about the charitable efforts going on in San Diego. And the best part is that we're helping nonprofits succeed. No checkwriting philanthropy here, this is about getting involved in the community and doing some good, growing the capacity of the local philanthropic sector.

Throughout my life, I have had a long history of involvement with numerous charitable organizations. I was frustrated,wanting a higher level of participation rather than just giving money. In 2001 my wife, Louarn and I, became founding members of San Diego Social Venture Partners (SDSVP). We consider ourselves "activist" investors, not "passive" donors are looking for both a social return on ourr investment (SROI) and a higher level of engagement with the causes we fund. SDSVP partners leverage our financial contribution by providing additional value through assistance with strategic and outcome planning, busness operations, marketing & public relations, board development & governance, fund development and IT support. We are asking tougher questions and demanding more rigorous, verifiable outcomes from the causes we support. Many of our partners are entrepreneurs and we understood the importance of building a solid management team just as we had done in the companies we have started. Our model of effective, engaged giving provides money, time and effort. Our involvement produces measurable results,and what is even more amazing is that our partners feel they get more out of the process than the recipient of their support.