SV2 has funded and supported many inspiring social impact organizations over the past 25 years. Many of these organizations have deepened community trust and relationships, accelerated in growth, developed strong partnerships, and advanced systems change.
Four amazing Alumni Grantee Partners (Fresh Lifelines for Youth, Silicon Valley Urban Debate League, SOMOS Mayfair, and Sustainable Conservation) returned to SV2 to share about their current work and impact, and to reflect on the effect that SV2 funding and beyond-the-dollars support has had on their organizations. Participants left energized and inspired by what they heard about how social impact can be sustained and deepened over time. The four Alumni Grantee leaders introduced their work in a panel format, and then each organization hosted a breakout group where participants could dive into a deeper conversation about their mission and approach. The grants SV2 made to these organizations were in 2005, 2009, 2015, and 2016, and participants appreciated the opportunity to hear about the ways the organizations have grown and deepened their work over many years since their SV2 grant.
Some key insights included:
- The value of diversifying their Boards of Directors, especially by bringing alumni clients of their organizations onto their Boards.
- The crucial need for relationship building in the long work of social change: whether building trust among multiple nonprofits in a collective impact initiative, or convincing farmers to try sustainable agricultural practices to help replenish California’s groundwater.
- The importance of youth engagement and youth leadership from initial design of programs and initiatives, to decison-making, to engaging fellow youth.
We encourage you to learn more about these Alumni Grantees below. We’ve also included contact information and ways you can get involved.
- Fresh Lifelines for Youth (FLY) | FLY partners with youth to unlock their potential, disrupt the pipeline to prison, and advance justice in California and beyond. FLY’s Law, Leadership Training, and Mentor Programs are based on ideas from youth who were facing years or life in prison. These ideas have been strengthened with best practices in youth development and crime prevention. For more information, contact June Wang, Interim CEO, jwang@flyprogram.org or Sherri Shaner, Chief Advancement Officer, sshaner@flyprogram.org
- Invite for SV2: ‘We will be hosting a “Why FLY” event on Nov 7th in San Francisco; this is a gathering where folks can hear directly from FLY youth and learn more about FLY. If you’re interested in attending, please email Sherri and she’ll make sure you get an invite.’
- FLY’s Impact Report
- Silicon Valley Urban Debate League (SVUDL), | SVUDL helps students uncover and hone the power of their voices, so they can confidently step into their full potential as professional and community leaders. SVUDL creates dynamic spaces for students to learn how to exercise their voices through afterschool speech and debate, speech and debate curriculum, and debate-centered teacher instruction. For more information, contact Rolland Janairo, Executive Director, rjanairo@svudl.org. Rolland also serves on the SV2 Board of Directors.
- SVUDL’s Impact Report
- SOMOS Mayfair | SOMOS uplifts the very people most affected by disparities to take action, to create meaningful connections with their peers, and to make an impact in Mayfair that supports their families’ immediate needs and future prosperity. SOMOS builds community power through community organizing, leadership development, early education and economic opportunity. For more information, contact Saúl Ramos, Co-Executive Director, sramos@somosmayfair.org
- Sustainable Conservation | Sustainable Conservation drives collaborative solutions to meet the water needs of California’s environment, people, and economy for current and future generations – with a focus on advancing sustainable groundwater management and accelerating the stewardship of natural and working lands and waterways. For more information, contact Richael Young, Senior Director, Water for the Future Program, ryoung@suscon.org
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- Invite for SV2: ‘We welcome the SV2 community to continue their water learning journey with us by signing up for our upcoming webinars. We’re in the midst of a webinar series called “Recharging California”. More info can be found here: Events | Sustainable Conservation.’
- Sustainable Conservation’s 2023 Annual Report