What is it?
Social Venture Partners Calgary seeks to develop philanthropy and volunteerism together to achieve positive social change.

Launched in November 2000, Social Venture Partners Calgary is a Partner-driven philanthropic organization that supports needy organizations in the community through long-term commitments of Partners’ time and expertise as well as financial donations. Partners also commit to active learning about philanthropic issues.

The over 100 Partners of Social Venture Partners Calgary have invested over $1 million and thousands of volunteer hours to build the capacity in 12 not-for-profit organizations.

Where did it come from?
Social Venture Partners Calgary was founded by the husband-and-wife team of Brad and Tanya Zumwalt and modeled on Social Venture Partners Seattle, which was created by former Aldus Corp. founder Paul Brainerd. Calgary was the first Social Venture Partners organization in Canada.

Today there are 23 Social Venture Partners organizations across North America. Fifteen hundred Partners have invested over $11 million US and thousands of volunteer hours in 145 charities.

Social Venture Partners Calgary and the growing family of Social Venture Partners organizations are comprised of individuals who seek to achieve a greater impact in their own communities than they could as individuals.

How does it work?
Social Venture Partners is based on the principles of the business venture capital model. It involves looking into the community to discover specific needs and possible solutions much the same way a venture capitalist looks for ideas and entrepreneurship in new companies. Like venture capitalists, Partners donate appropriate skills, experience and contacts to most efficiently use the financial investment and aid in the growth of the organization and help it build to its full capacity to better achieve its mission. Management and finance, fundraising, board governance, marketing, communication and technology are examples of the counsel provided. The return on investment is positive social change.

Partners work in small entrepreneurial teams to make investment decisions and create in-depth, long-term partnerships (three to five years) with not-for-profits. The recipient organizations grow and flourish as a result of the business experience and skills of the Partners.

Partners are also actively involved in learning about various aspects of philanthropy. They organize and participate in discussions with guest speakers, workshops and seminars. Many spend considerable time learning from many experienced community leaders and experts on social issues.