Is an SVP DE Partner required to give their time as well as the $5,500/$7,500 annual contribution?
No. SVP DE certainly wants all Partners to get involved by giving their time and expertise, but some Partners just do not have time to commit and that is OK. About a third of SVP DE Partners contribute only money. Many Partners contribute their time for a while, take a break, and then get involved again, as professional and family lives allow.
Can I become a Partner by giving just my time and expertise, but not the annual contribution?
No, however, you can become a “Friend of SVP DE” by contributing your time at Investee events or contributing a year end donation. Once you become a Partner, you can enlist your friends and business associates to contribute skills and time to our Investees.
Does my contribution go to a particular Investee?
No. All Partner contributions go into a pooled fund. SVP DE is like a mutual fund investment for a Partner, not an investment in an individual organization. Partners who are interested in supporting the work of a particular Investee can choose to contribute their time at that particular Investee. Of course, they may contribute additional funds to Investees on their own.
Can I pay for SVP DE partnership dues with something other than cash?
Yes, you can send us corporate matching funds and stock transfers. Instructions will be provided once you have made the decision to become a Partner.
How many people are participating in SVP DE's pooled giving strategy?
SVP DE currently has 44 active Partners. This number includes couples.
Your mission statement talks about "developing philanthropy and volunteerism." What does that mean?
SVP DE has opportunities to co-sponsor educational events with other funders such as The Rodel Foundation of Delaware to address the breadth of issues related to education, of which Early Care and Education is a part. Other areas of education relate to personal philanthropy. Many of our Partners also learn about and develop strong relationships with our Investees through their volunteer experiences.
What does building capacity mean?
One part of SVP DE's mission is to work with our Investee organizations to develop their organizational capacity. We define organizational capacity as: the organization's ability to develop, improve, and grow in order to deliver its mission effectively and efficiently. Partners can assist with capacity building related to: Mission, Vision, Strategy and Planning; Program Design and Evaluation; Human Resources; Leadership Development and Executive Coaching; Information Technology; Finance & Accounting; Fund Development; Board and Governance; Legal, Marketing and Communications; and Mentoring and Tutoring.
