Impact & Leverage

Social Venture Partners Santa Barbara have impact in both the nonprofit and philanthropic communities. Our investees enjoy the benefit of the business and social entrepreneur community involved in their mission; and our partners benefit from increased

 How We Invest

• Select Focus Areas:   Each year, Partners select and vote on focus areas for investment

• Research: A team researches the focus areas, interviews experts and determines the greatest impact SVPSB can make.

• Due Diligence:  Partner teams rigorously vet the nonprofit applicants.  

• Vote:  After review and discussion, the Partners select our nonprofit Investees, who receive a cash grant, but more importantly a Partner team of consultants who provide expertise, skills and connections.

Ongoing, Long-term Monitoring

Our investments are managed by Lead Partners who establish a direct relationship with the nonprofit agencies that we invest in. This allows us to be fully aware of any challenges currently facing the nonprofit, as well as to help address those challenges immediately. Reinvestment decisions are determined each year by the Reinvestment Committee.

Strategic Engagement – High-level Volunteering

Funds granted by SVPSB are followed up with the valuable time and expertise of our Partners and their extensive network of contacts. Our partners provide valuable services and connection to resources that help with all business aspects of the agencies we serve. Over the course of a multi-year relationship, our investees typically receive strategic planning, board governance counsel, executive coaching, and several customized task force teams focused on projects that support the desired outcomes.

Creating Cost Efficiencies across the Nonprofits' Entire Budget

By lending their business expertise, Partners strengthen the capacity of the non-profits and allow them to more efficiently operate and provide their services to the community.

Attracting Matching Funds

The SVPSB due diligence process has provided assurance to other funders that their donor dollars will be put to good use. This “seal of approval” on these non-profit agencies has attracted additional funds from not only Partners, but also private corporations and the government.

Finding Discounts and Attracting Gifts-in-Kind

Partners are able to take advantage of their networks to find valuable discounts on things such as software and computer equipment as well as donations of furniture and other needed supplies.

Partner Education

Partners have the opportunity to become engaged with the non-profits that we support. They learn first-hand about our city’s most pressing social problems and the real challenges that non-profits face in providing their services.

Increasing Partners' Strategic Giving Outside of SVPSB

Partners that become educated about the issues that are important to them become empowered to do additional strategic and effective giving beyond their contribution to SVPSB.