Social Venture Partners of Rhode Island
Social Venture Partners Rhode Island (SVPRI) is a partnership of engaged philanthropists who are aware and action-oriented. Our mission is to use our time, skills and financial resources to help non-profit organizations establish and scale social enterprises that create jobs and revenue.
SVPRI Investees are tax-exempt, charitable, not-for-profit organizations who have launched or are interested in launching social enterprises - related business ventures that provide new revenue streams to the non-profit and some form of "double bottom line impact,” such as workforce development or environmental development.
SVPRI supports organizations that:
- Address a critical social problem and demonstrate an innovative approach to accomplishing change
- Are seeking to launch, expand or replicate an innovative program
- Will make use of and interact with SVP's volunteer and professional resources
- Have a long-term perspective on their organization's impact
- Are willing to evaluate their programs and measure their outcomes
- Are community oriented and collaborative, involving volunteers and other organizations and coordinating their services with others serving the same or similar population
SVPRI selects only those organizations that welcome hands-on involvement (guidance and facilitation) by SVPRI partners. SVPRI funds organizations with strong leadership and clear strategic vision, where we can contribute to the organization's success by supplying an infusion of human and financial resources.
SVPRI's model is not appropriate or desirable for all nonprofits. Some organizations will not want or need the combination of money and hands-on expertise. Most non-profits are not accustomed to such an engaged approach from a funder or to a funder involved in such a hands-on way. Our Investees routinely tell us that the value of the time our Partners commit far exceed any financial contribution they receive. It takes considerable time and effort, not only from SVPRI, but also from the Investee, to develop:
- An understanding of SVPRI's approach and how to effectively partner with and use SVPRI's resources.
- A level of trust with SVPRI that enables collaboration to address core problems and organizational needs, and
- A mechanism for educating SVPRI Partners, as needed, about their organization so that volunteers can effectively carry out their work.
SOCIAL ENTERPRISE RHODE ISLAND
An SVPRI-led initiative, SERI (Social Enterprise Rhode Island), aims to capitalize on the significant amount of emerging social enterprise activity in the state, to increase awareness and share best practices to enhance the economic viability of our social services sector. SERI seeks to create an engaged social innovation community, become a hub for capturing state wide social innovation activity, and to make social enterprise development a key piece of the state’s economic development strategy. Further, SERI members work in the mission in which Rhode Island will build a reputation as the example for social enterprise nationwide. The SERI initiative includes the following components:
- Social Enterprise Community: This an inclusive effort to bring together stakeholders from the private, nonprofit (including university faculty and students), and government sectors to develop mutually beneficial collaborations, share models, lessons learned and best practice; and to promote positive social and economic change in the state.
- Events: Watch for new SERI and social-enterprise-related events in the Rhode Island area.
- Resources: The SERI initiative powers social change by providing a platform to facilitate human, financial and intellectual capital to social enterprise. Partners provide pro bono consulting and reach into their network for resources and opportunities.
- Innovation: In partnership with other community organizations, the SERI initiative will expand to develop and provide services that support social entrepreneurs and social enterprises.
Contact
Kelly Ramirez, Director, Social Enterprise Rhode Island
Address
15 South Atlantic Avenue, Warwick, RI
Telephone
734-272-6522
Email
Internet
http://socialenterpriseri.org/