May 9, 2008 - Thanks to SVP Calgary Lead Partner, Houman Mahallati, for providing the following update on Investee, Connections Counselling and Consulting Foundation (CC):

Increased number of families served and scope of services provided:
CC’s Executive Director, Pat Morris recently applied for and successfully got a $50K grant (over 2 years) from the Wildrose Foundation. This is specifically earmarked for counselling. As a result, CC will DOUBLE their counselling hours effective May 5th. This means a lot more than just doubling numbers. In addition to offering counseling to individuals with cognitive disabilities and to parents of children with special needs, the counseling program's scope has broadened and is now available to: couples where one or both may have a cognitive disability; youth (12-18 years of age) of siblings with special needs; youth whose parent(s) has a disability; and family counseling (currently a parent with a disability and her child) all of which contributes to families and individuals addressing concerns leading to improved relationships and coping skills. CC has not been able to accommodate those referrals in the past.

Developing synergies and relationships with other non-profits:
One example – CC is holding a Nobody is Perfect Parenting Programme while the Parent Link Wellness group (another tenant in CC’s new space) is providing child-care.

Board Members Required
CC requires new members for its Board. If you or anyone you know is interested, please contact Cammie or Noelle.

Thanks again to Houman for providing the update and for continuing to show such passion and enthusiasm for the work he is doing with this Investee!

April 25, 2008 - On April 15th, Partners and guests spent an evening learning about the plight of women in Afghanistan from Janice Eisenhauser, co-founder of Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan (CWFWA). While the issues in Afghanistan are broad and complex – ranging from military security, to the economy and drug trade to perceptions of women and women’s rights – Janice shared with everyone the feeling of hope and optimism held by many of the Afghan women she has met and how CWFWA is doing its part to better the lives of Afghan women through health and education. Thanks to all those who attended this very special and informative evening. And special thanks to SVP Partners Deborah & Ted Alexander for hosting and providing the delectable desserts!
To learn more about Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan visit www.w4wafghan.ca.

April 4, 2008 - As part of its grant-making process, the SVP Investment Committee conducted a site visit to one of this year’s grant finalists, NeighbourLink Calgary, a local charity which provides impoverished, at-risk families with basic needs supplies. It was an extremely eye-opening experience for the Committee to learn about the types of household items – the sorts of things that many of us take for granted – that many families in Calgary struggle to obtain.
While the Committee is still in the process of visiting the other grant finalist, they wanted to encourage the rest of the Partnership to consider donating any of the following gently-used items to NeighbourLink:
· Single/Double Mattresses & Bed Frames (Queens/Kings are too large!)
· Small Dressers
· Smalls Kitchen Table sets
· Small microwaves
· Sofas & other household items
If you have any of these items to donate please call NeighbourLink at 209-1305.

February 29, 2008 - The Investment Committee has asked three agencies to submit a full application for this year’s new grant:
EvenStart for Children’s Society - provides needed programs for 'at-risk', 'traumatized', and economically-disadvantaged children
Milican – Ogden Community Association (MOCA) - operates a Youth Drop – In Centre Program for children and youth aged 12 to 17 living in the Ogden and Riverbend communities.
NeighbourLink Calgary - focuses on the prevention of homelessness and family breakdown by providing resources to at-risk families before they ‘drop through the cracks to the street’
These grant finalists will be attending a Grant Information Session at SVP on March 6th. The Deadline for the full grant applications is March 19th.

February 15, 2008 - Recently, two of our Investees were able to take advantage of the wealth of expertise and knowledge provided by our “Friends of SVP”.
Many thanks to Melanie Jeannotte, Senior Advisor for Vital Benefits Inc., who met with Pat Morris from Connections Counselling and Consulting Foundation to discuss creative staff benefits packages. As we learned from Lauren Raymore, Program Coordinator for Connections Counselling, who attended our Chew on This session on HR Issues in the Non-profit sector, Connections Counselling has been in existence for more than 18 years and their staff has never had benefits! Melanie met with Pat to discuss Connections’ plan to provide a Health Savings Plan and will also be providing this Investee with additional information on LT Disability benefits.
Thanks also to Bryce Beresh and Joe Mak, from Veer who met with Jonathan Reyes from Calgary Urban Vibe. Bryce, Creative Director, Worldwide Community, and Joe, E-Marketing Manager for Veer.com, discussed website metrics with Jonathan from CUV. In particular, they discussed various ways to more accurately capture the amount of activity on the CUV website and as well as ways of profiling the users that visit the website. Jonathan was extremely pleased with the opportunity to have such high-scale technical discussions with people who are directly involved with a successful website such as Veer.com.

February 1, 2008 - As part of Canadian Humanitarian’s Path Program, SVP Kids wrote letters to children in Ethiopia. Letters included lists of the children’s hobbies and favourite sports. The Kids also put together a “Calgary Capsule” of Calgarian and Canadian culture complete with a map of Calgary, classic Canadian children’s books and an iPod downloaded with Canadian music. Special thanks to SVP Kid Evalina Williamson who rallied grade 7 classes at her school to write almost 100 letters! To learn more about the projects of Canadian Humanitarian visit www.canadianhumanitarian.com.

December 11, 2007 – Social Venture Partners Calgary has selected its focus for the 2008 grant to be announced in the spring of 2008. This grant, an investment to a registered charitable agency serving Calgary, will be provided to a non-profit organization whose services or programs engage at-risk children and/or youth through community based programs involving recreation, arts, education or mentoring.

 

Agencies whose mandate fulfills this focus and who are interested in a long-term relationship with an engaged philanthropy organization should go to www.svpcalgary.org to submit a short online application form. Agencies that work with immigrant children, ESL learners and/or aboriginal children and youth are encouraged to apply.

 

The deadline for submitting the online application form is Friday, January 11th, 2008.

 

As engaged philanthropists, Social Venture Partners Calgary provides both funds and volunteer expertise contributed by its partners to help organizations build their capacity. Through this model, SVP Calgary has invested over $1.4 million since its inception in 2000 and, just as importantly, contributed hundreds of hours of expertise in the areas such as strategic planning, human resources, fund-raising and marketing communications. In addition, SVP Calgary has helped the agencies in its portfolio by financing consulting and professional development over and above grant funds. Agencies such as Calgary Youth Justice Society, Connections Counselling and Consulting Foundation, Brown Bagging for Calgary’s Kids, Calgary Urban Vibe and the Souperstars program of Community Kitchens have benefited with multi-year financial and volunteer support.

 

SVP Calgary funds on an annual basis, but the organization has historically sought to create multi-year funding relationships which last from 3 to 5 years.  Annual grants have generally ranged in size from $20,000 to $50,000 dedicated to special projects, programs and/or general operating support. 

People who join Social Venture Partners Calgary donate an annual minimum of $5,000 for two years and become involved by learning about and helping Calgary’s non-profit community. Social Venture Partners Calgary has 55 Partner Units equating to 100 people directly involved in bettering the Calgary community.

 

For more information about Social Venture Partners Calgary, or to complete a grant application, go to www.svpcalgary.org.

Over twenty individuals took part in this first session of the 2007-08 Chew On This educational dinner series. Speakers Allison MacDonald (Capacity Building Coordinator for the United Way) and Pat Rice walked the group through the current Human Resource crisis faced by Calgary's non-profit sector, the extent to which this problem is impacting the important social services that the sector provides and the way in which current funding levels and practices are exacerbating the problem. Our Partners were also fortunate to have a representative from one of our current Investees in attendance. Lauren Raymore, Program Coordinator for Connections Counselling and Consulting Foundation, shared with the group her agency's first-hand experience dealing with these HR issues and helped our Partners really the extent and impact of this crisis on Connections, own clients.

 

Thanks to all those who were able to attend. Very special thanks to SVP Partners Michele Dauphinee and Keenan Cannady for (yet again) opening up their home for this event, Michele (for making the delicious chili) and SVP Partner Marilyn Weber for bringing the scrumptious dessert!.

Thank you to everyone who made it out to our Grant Announcement and our special screening of Downtown Dawgs: The Road to the Homeless World Cup. 

 

The feedback we have received from those who attended the screening was overwhelmingly positive. The film has been accepted into the Calgary International Film Festival. Downtown Dawgs is definitely a must see for anyone interested in the issue of homelessness. Keep an eye on the Calgary International Film Festival listings for a chance to see this moving and thought provoking film.

 

Here’s some feedback on the movie:

 

It really was a great film. All of the people were so likeable, despite their obvious challenges at getting their lives on track. They did a great job of portraying that life is just not easy for some people, and it's not something you can judge or criticize. I really left with a new appreciation for the homeless issue and its complexities.

I felt really lucky to see the film-makers and the characters immediately following the movie, and to get to hear their views first-hand. That was a valuable addition! I truly enjoyed it.

 

Lisa Brake

FortisAlberta

 

Click here to read the entire June 18, 2007 issue of the Connections email newsletter

click here to read the entire June 8 issue of the connections email newsletter

 

Click here to read the entire issue of the May 25.07 Connections email newsletter

It’s that time of year again! SVP will be making this year’s Grant Announcement at an exciting event highlighting a new way of dealing with the problem of homelessness! Details soon to come!

 

Click here to read the entire May 18th edition of the Connections email newsletter!

 

Can we really solve homelessness in 10 years? Are we willing to do what it takes to help people and stop warehousing them? Watch for a provocative event in the afternoon on Saturday, June 9th where we'll learn about an innovative program and announce our 2007/08 grants -- including the SVP Kids' selection.

Click here to read the entire issue of the Connections email newsletter for May 11.07!

Site Visits Completed!

The investment committee has completed this year’s site visits! Thank you to everyone who participated in the site visits, we had a consistently great turnout this year! The investment committee will be meeting on May 16th to make a decision as to which organization will be our newest Investee. 

 

Click here to read the entire May 4th edition of the Connections email newsletter!

Thank you to everyone who participated in Planning Day. We feel particularly optimistic after this year’s session because, as one partner put it, “it feels like we are getting closer to something”.  We believe that the Thursday evening session was an excellent idea, as it helped us to collectively get some of our frenetic energy out, leading to greater focus and collaboration on Friday. 

 

It also felt like we were getting deeper when it came to certain vital issues.  The question of growth will always dog us, but we heard more conversations around success and sustainability this year.  Engagement is another tough nut to crack, and yet because it is at our fundamental core it makes sense that it is the most difficult to solve.

 

In particular we appreciated the dialogue that occurred around aspirational leadership.  As staff we believe that all the leadership SVP Calgary needs is within the hearts of the people who were in the room.  We are constantly amazed and inspired by the quality of thinking that goes on with this group of volunteers.  It was abundantly evident that together we have the will to move this extraordinary model forward in Calgary.    

Thank you to Kerry Brown for volunteering to facilitate our session once again. We are very lucky to have Kerry as a partner.  She is such a skilled individual and always so willing to share her expertise to assist all of us. 

 

Thanks also to Michele and Keenan who so generously and consistently allow us to use their beautiful home for SVP gatherings.          

 

Click Here to read the entire issue of the connections email newsletter for April 30.07

SVP Kids Choose the Mustard Seed for their 2007 grant!

The SVP Kids have chosen the Mustard Seed as their grantee for this year! All three of our finalists were able to send representatives to our meeting on Monday April 16th, and after some insightful presentations followed by a rigorous question period, a final vote revealed that the Mustard Seed would be the recipient of the SVP Kids investment! The SVP Kids will be investing $3,600 in the organization which will help towards addressing the problem of homelessness in Calgary.

 

Click here to read the entire issue of the Connections email newsletter for April 20

Come take part in planning day 2007!  As a “partner driven” organization, SVP Calgary encourages all Partners to come and take part in our planning for next year. Your involvement is invaluable to us, and we welcome your input in planning the future of SVP Calgary. Planning day will be held on Friday, April 27th at the Kahanoff Centre.

 

Join us the evening before planning day for enticing conversations and cocktails! Partners Keenan Cannady and Michele Dauphinee will be hosting a cocktail reception at their home the evening before from 7:30-9:30pm.

Everyone is welcome to attend both or either one of these events!

 

SVP Planning Day Cocktail Reception
Date: Thursday April 26th, 2007
Time: 7:30-9:30pm
Location: Home of Keenan Cannady and Michele Dauphinee

 

SVP Planning Day 2007
Date: Friday April 27th, 2007
Time: 8:00am-1:00pm
Location: The Kahnaoff Centre 200- 1202 Centre Street S.E.
 
RSVP to Melissa at Admin@SVPCalgary.org or 266-5305.

 

Click here to read the entire issue of the April 13 Connections email newsletter!

 

 

 

Click here to read the whole April 6, 2007 issue of the Connections newsletter.

March 16, 2007 - SVP Calgary is making excellent progress in strengthening the capacity of Connections Counselling and Consulting Foundation. Here are highlights of projects recently undertaken by Partners with this Investee:

 

• Wilma Slenders led the board and staff of Connections through a Friday evening and full Saturday of Strategic Planning at the end of February. Connections now has a Strategic document in place, with action plans ready for the next step.

 

• Sam Chahda (CEO Forum) provided insight to Connections as to the content of their newly created promotional video. Sam also arranged for Pat Morris from Connections to meet with the entire CEO Forum and the group provided their recommendations as to the most effective way to use this video

 

• Afroza Nanji reviewed outcomes data collected from recent surveys/interviews conducted by Connections with clients accessing their In-Home Support program. She then put together a presentation that links the survey results to outcome statements previously developed by Connections. Afroza also provided suggestions on how to revise some of the outcome statements as well as improvements that can be made on future evaluations. Connections hopes to now communicate these more meaningfully articulated outcomes to prospective corporate sponsors and funders.

 

Connections Counselling is thrilled with the capacity building assistance SVP Calgary has provided thus far. According the Pat Morris, “SVP partners have certainly assisted in strengthening our foundation from which we shall continue to build on”.

 

Thanks to Wilma, Sam and Afroza for volunteering their time and expertise to Connections and to Lead Partner Houman Mahallati for helping Pat and Connections identify capacity building projects for our Partners to work on. In a very tangible way, all of these Partners are helping Connections better serve families with parents with developmental disabilities!

 

Click here to read the entire March 16th issue of the SVP Calgary Connections Newsletter.

March 2, 2007- SVP Calgary helps strengthen the infrastructure of the non-profits we support. And a stronger infrastructure has contributed to these organizations making impressive strides towards achieving their mission. Here are some of the successes our Investees have reached during their time with us: click here. 

February 16, 2007- SVP has a number of events in the coming weeks that are sure to show your associates the impact of our engaged philanthropy model in the community. If you have any contacts that you believe would be interested in learning more about Social Venture Partners and the opportunities we provide to get involved in organizations serving children and youth, please do not hesitate to invite them to one or more of the following events:

 

1. Tuesday, March 6th (Noon): Recruitment Lunch, SVP Calgary Office

2. Thursday, March 15th (Noon): Recruitment Lunch, Phillips, Hager & North Boardroom

3. Tuesday, March 20th (7:30 pm - 9:00 pm): Chew on This - Philanthropy 501: International Giving (Guest Speaker - Tim Draimin, Tides Canada), Home of Melissa Best

4. Thursday, March 29th (4:30 pm - 6:30 pm): Recruitment Wine & Cheese, JF Mackie Boardroom

January 5, 2007 - Social Venture Partners Calgary is currently seeking organizations to apply for a multi-year grant. Registered Canadian charitable organizations that fit the mandate of providing services or programs which intervene with at-risk children or youth by connecting them with positive influences are invited to visit www.svpcalgary.org and complete an online grant application.

Forty Partners gathered at Zen8 on Monday night for an evening of sushi and sake. Those in attendance were shown how to prepare both California and Cucumber Rolls by professional sushi chefs and were also able to enjoy three different types of sake. Partners also sang along to the musical styling’s of Zen 8 owner Hiro, who sang of his love of preparing raw fish and entertaining. We would like to thank all of you who participated in this years Holiday Party – we hope to see you again next year! 

On a freezing Sunday afternoon, fifteen SVP Kids met with a family who had recent experience with homelessness. The children learned about what it is like to be homeless by hearing what a typical Sunday would be for a homeless family and comparing it to a typical Sunday that they would have. The children also had the opportunity to explore their own beliefs about the homeless.

 

In SVP Kids we learned that Sunita and her family moved from a small island near Madagascar. Although there were not many shelters in Alberta they came anyway in search of jobs to support their family. They were on the street for six weeks and told us their experiences. ~ Roger

 

They told us of their day to day life of waking up to new surroundings and not having a place to call home. Their story ended successfully with them getting jobs and moving into a cozy apartment with the help of charitable organizations. ~ Josh

 

On Tuesday, Nov.21st, 15 Partners and friends gathered at the home of Rob and Judy for some in-depth conversation around how to raise their children with philanthropic values. The Partners discussed readings that provided some extremely important lessons around:

 

 

Once again, Partners made a difference participating in a unique campaign by Brown Bagging It for Calgary’s Kids (BB4CK). SVP Calgary’s financial support to BB4CK was used this year for a campaign spearheaded by executive director, Bob McInnis, to bring attention to the need for individuals to get involved in their community and address problems like under-nourished kids. School kids created art masterpieces on brown lunch bags and those were sold for a donation of $1 on October 25 at all Good Earth and Sunterra locations. Media coverage took place in September at a school where kids were creating the artwork and then extensively on the day of the campaign and on Thursday on CBC radio’s Wildrose Forum. SVP was also highlighted on the CBC radio segment which focused on new approaches to philanthropy. Bob McInnis reports that $15,000 was collected and many meaningful conversations about philanthropy and Calgary issues were generated – the real goal of the campaign.

 

 

June 30, 2006

 

SVP Calgary is celebrating the graduation of four of its Investees for 2006. The organizations that are moving on and their final grant totals are:

 

• Calgary Reads Society - $150,000
• Servants Anonymous Society - $180,000
• Calgary Bridge Foundation for Youth - $130,000
• TEAM Leadership - $40,000

 

As you all know, engaged philanthropy is more than just writing a cheque. Our Partners have volunteered hundreds of hours with these Investees to help them increase their internal capacity. Some examples include:

 

Calgary Reads: Helped to draft new bylaws, provided advice on financial statements, built a program registration website, maintained a volunteer database, managed volunteers, volunteered with the annual book sale, developed and secured fundraising event opportunities, Lead Partner attended Board meetings, advised the fund development committee, acted as program volunteers and tutors.

 

Servants Anonymous: Wrote marketing plans, developed funding proposals, redesigned their annual reports, drafted human resources policies, Partner Jeff Parry secured the award winning play “Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding” to play at a dining hall owned and operated by the organization.

 

Calgary Bridge Foundation for Youth: Reviewed human resources policies, restructured financial statements, planned annual banquets, facilitated the completion of the Capacity Assessment Tool, improved fund development strategies, conducted a network audit, and helped to implement a new phone system and website.

 

TEAM Leadership: Drafted funding proposals, participated in advisory panel meetings, helped to identify needs and source a new administrative employee, intnroduced new finance software, conducted financial and administrative policy reviews, and worked to set up an endowment fund with TEAM’s advisory panel and the Calgary Board of Education. 

 

We wish all of our graduating Investees the best of luck as they continue on from their relationships with SVP Calgary! We will be formally congratulating them at our Annual General Meeting in October.

 

 

To read more from the June 30, 2006 issue of the SVP Calgary Connections Newsletter Click here.

 

June 23, 2006

 

Please join us in congratulating Connections Counselling and Consulting Services as our new Investee for 2006! Since 1990, this organization has been providing vital counselling services to developmentally disabled Calgarians.

 

Connections Counselling delivers on its mission of empowering individuals through education and advocacy by providing:

 

• Ongoing family support to parents with a developmental disability and their children; and

• Counselling to persons with a developmental disability, their families, and their caregivers.

 

This organization is truly unique in its provision of long-term support to the families of developmentally disabled people in Calgary. Social Venture Partners looks forward to a long and successful relationship with our newest Investee.  Learn more at www.connectionscounselling.ab.ca

 

 

To read more from the June 23, 2006 issue of the SVP Calgary Connections Newsletter Click here.

 

June 23, 2006

 

The Hunger Dinner was held last Friday and it was a resounding success! 125 individuals, parents, and children attended this event which highlighted the economic inequalities that are prevalent in the world and was in support of Operation Eyesight Universal and SVP Kids. Everyone who attended was randomly assigned an economic standing, either high, middle or low income, and also received a written profile which described their family and their circumstances. Those in attendance also were treated to an African drumming group as well as a violinist. Participants were then served meals which reflected their economic status: from a decadent three course dinner to rice and pita bread, it truly served as a real-life example of how the gap between the “have’s” and the “have-not’s” has never been wider.

 

The evening was emceed by documentarian Rick Castiglione who highlighted his experiences working in India with Operation Eyesight and the effects that cataracts and poverty has on the population. SVP Kids also ran a silent auction for their various talents which included freshly baked goodies, lawn mowing, power washing, custom made bracelets, babysitting, and dog walking. SVP Calgary would like to thank all of the SVP Kids and Partners who made this event possible especially Tanya and Brad Zumwalt, Joanne and Roger Carry, Doreen Richards, Sue Finely, and Kerry Brown. We would also like to thank the Shan Tung restaurant for donating the rice used for the event as well as Murray McPherson’s African Drumming Band and violinist Emily Achtymichuk. Once again thanks to all of those who attended and we hope you all enjoyed yourselves.

 

 

To read more from the June 23, 2006 issue of the SVP Calgary Connections Newsletter Click here.

 

July 7, 2006

 

In the winter of 2005, a group of SVP Calgary Partners met with Servants Anonymous Society (SAS) to help them implement a new Marketing Plan for their Firework’s Cooperative, a set of businesses that provide revenue for SAS as well as training opportunities for SAS graduates.  During that meeting, local concert and event promoter and SVP Partner, Jeff Parry, came up with an innovative way to capitalize and market SAS’s social enterprises: utilize Firework’s catering services and catering hall to host Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding, the critically acclaimed interactive play.  The show would run from Valentine’s Day to the Spring.  Jeff Parry Promotions would do the promotions and cover the costs of production with profits split between Jeff and SAS 60:40. 

 

The venture has been a tremendous success!  The run for Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding presented by Social Venture Partners Calgary was extended from April to June and will continue again in October.  Net proceeds received by SAS thus far have totalled just over $27,000!  Undoubtedly, the show has provided invaluable marketing for SAS’s catering business and venue.  SVP Calgary would once again like to thank Jeff Parry for his wonderful generosity in helping SAS. 

 

This has been an excellent example of how the SVP model can positively impact the community by providing expertise and resources to our promising nonprofits.

 

To read more from the July 7, 2006 issue of the SVP Calgary Connections Newsletter Click here.

It is never too early to help your children develop philanthropic values and a deeper understanding of the social issues present in their community.  SVP Kids Philanthropy School will teach your child the basics of good grantmaking and provide opportunities for hands-on community involvement.

 

To download the SVP Kids Philanthropy School brochure Click here.

 

To read more from the Sept.8, 2006 issue of the SVP Calgary Connections Newsletter Click here.

 

Come and join us for dinner and discussion on a series of topics aimed at enhancing personal giving.
 
Like a philanthropy book club, these interactive learning sessions will allow participants the opportunity to explore and reflect on their own giving, as well as discuss some of today’s most topical philanthropic issues.
 
Attend one session or attend them all.  While progressive in nature, each session also stands on its own. 
 
Prior to the evening participants will be given a short reading package containing a few interesting excerpts on the topic.  The package may also contain some related exercises and a list of possible discussion questions. 
 
The preparation is minimal and the format for the evening will be informal.   We believe that everyone has something to share on each of this year’s topics, whether it’s an opinion, an experience or a new thought that could be explored.  
 
To register for a session:

(1) Contact Noelle Bacalso at 266-5305 or nbacalso@svpcalgary.org by the Friday before the session.  That way we can be sure of our dinner numbers. 

 

(2) Once you have registered we will send you an electronic copy of the pre-reading (which is minimal!)  

 

(3) Take a few minutes to read about the topic and reflect on the discussion point and then bring your point of view to the session.

 

Download the CHEW ON THIS Brochure here.

To read more from the Sept.1, 2006 issue of the SVP Calgary Connections Newsletter Click here.