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From Our Executive Director - Jean Hart
Upon arriving in Portland three years ago I was told that no serious work gets done in Portland during the summer. A lot of serious work is done in May, however. SVPP's May activity level was no exception. We finalized our investment
direction for 2005, we were featured at Oregon Community Foundation's lunch on May 11, we held our Annual Partner Meeting on May 26 and we prepared for a June relocation, all in a thirty day period.
A major highlight was the addition of new partners with five new partner units joining SVPP in the last two months. There is serious buzz in the community about our two new investments: C.A.S.H. (Creating Assets, Security and Hope) and
PEP (Parental Engagement Program). We have strong commitments for financial support and volunteer interest is very high for both programs. The investment committee's dedication and commitment from October, 2004 through April of this year
never wavered and strong team leads emerged for both new projects. They gave themselves a well-deserved celebration dinner in mid June.
On June 20 we moved to a new building which will make parking easier and free, and will permit us to share important business services, all while saving significant money. Please come visit your new space at the foot of Sellwood Bridge
near Oaks Park! We are on the third floor of River Park Center.
It has been nearly a year since I assumed the ED role for SVPP. The organization is thriving, partners are enthusiastic, and I feel fortunate to be associated with such caring and committed people. Thank you for your continuing
support.
SVPP News
SVPP Holds Annual Meeting
 SVPP held its Annual Partner Meeting on May 26 at Wieden + Kennedy in the Pearl district of Portland. Commissioner Sam Adams gave the keynote
address to more than 100 attendees. He commended SVPP for its service to the community and challenged SVPP to think inclusively when working with children at-risk. Sam gave personal examples of how community support and government
programs helped keep his family intact and gave him the start in life he needed. He took questions from the audience and gave several examples of individuals who were instrumental in helping him in his early life.
Outgoing and incoming Board members were recognized and the President's Award for Outstanding Service was given to Joe and Sharon Barthmaier for their work on Venture Scholars among other contributions. The Children's Relief Nursery was
recognized as a "graduating investee". Interim Executive Director, Michael Sorenson, and CRN Development Director, Kathy Walsh, were commended for their work by Laura Finney, SVPP team lead for CRN. New partners Christopher Bailey and
Robert Lusk, Mary Edmeades, Liz and Dennis Lane and Bill and Kieren Porter, were introduced by Chairman of the Board, Jeff Grubb.
Eli Lamb and Laura Finney were recognized for their tireless work for SVPP since its inception in 2000. Both were founding members, Board officers and led initial team efforts for Morrison Child and Family Services and Children's Relief
Nursery, respectively. Megan Leftwich, President of the Board, presented Eli and Laura with commemorative gifts.
Energy and enthusiasm were abundant as were new faces at this annual gathering. Representatives of new investees, continuing investees, friends of the organization, prospective partners and long-time partners combined for an exciting mix
of ideas, talent and passion.
SVPP thanks Wieden + Kennedy for their contribution of the beautiful sixth floor meeting room. The view of Portland, Mount Hood and the splendid weather were the perfect cap for a stimulating evening.
Photo: Commissioner Sam Adams
SVPP Elects New Board
Members of SVPP's Board of Directors were elected by all the partners and the winners were announced at the Annual Meeting. The new Board members are: Rance Gregory, Valerie Ilsley, Rupa Jack and Les Soltesz. Jeff Grubb was re-elected to
his second term. Each person's role will be determined within the next month, as each member of the SVPP Board serves as either an officer or a committee chair.
Stepping away from the Board were two of SVPP's founding partners, Eli Lamb and Laura Finney. Both Eli and Laura were instrumental in the formation of SVPP. Laura has served on the Board since its inception and has been SVPP's Treasurer
through the years. She has also served as the lead partner for the Children's Relief Nursery team, created the first website and marketing pamphlet, and opened her home on numerous occasions to the first Investment Team. Eli is also a
founding member of the Board and served as SVPP's first Board President. Building on his vision of philanthropy, Eli developed the foundation and infrastructure for the organization. He chaired the Recruiting Team for two years and
continues as the lead partner for SVPP's partnership with Morrison Child and Family Services. Eli serves as SVPP's representative on the SVP International board, driving the database project across the network.
Welcome to the new SVPP Board members and many thanks to Eli and Laura for their past contributions and strong dedication to making SVPP a thriving organization.
SVPP Announces Investments for 2005
At the May 26 annual partner meeting, SVPP announced the investment direction for 2005. Two very exciting projects were selected. The first one is C.A.S.H., a community partnership to promote financial stability for eligible Oregon
families through the expanded use of tax credits, free tax preparation, and financial literacy. The second project is PEP, a partnership with two elementary schools in the Portland Public School District to increase parental participation
and build community support.
C.A.S.H. (Creating Assets, Savings and Hope) - According to the IRS, $37.5 billion in refundable Earned Income Tax Credits (EITC) were claimed nationwide in 2003 by 21 million people, resulting
in an average credit of $1,800. In Oregon, over 204,000 recipients (approximately 14% of state returns) claimed EITC totaling $334 million, or approximately $1,637 per person.
In Oregon, approximately $75 million of EITC go unclaimed annually. Perhaps $30 million of this is unclaimed in the tricounty area (Multnomah, Clackamas, Washington). These estimates do not include amounts these same families may be
foregoing from other credit sources such as the federal refundable child credit ($1,000 per child), the federal Child and Dependent Care Credit (CDCC), or Oregon's refundable Working Family Child Care Credit. In addition, the State of
Oregon has a 5% nonrefundable Earned Income Credit (EIC). The credits primarily benefit the working poor, with most of the credits going to families with children.
Since 15% to 20% of eligible families are failing to claim the earned income credit in Oregon, the potential impact (economic and social) of expanding use of such credits in Oregon is enormous. According to Children First's 2003 Status
Report, "the federal EITC and state EIC are smart investments in children and families because they support and encourage work, reduce poverty (especially for children) and reduce tax and income inequality."
CASH will enhance efforts to educate low income households about the availability of credits, sponsor tax preparation sites, and develop and promote financial literacy and asset building programs with the goal of building strong financial
futures through savings, credit repair, and increased financial capacity.
Opportunities to get involved include outreach design and measurement, site and volunteer recruiting, software and hardware resources, marketing, fund raising, coalition expansion, and many more. Please contact
Joel Kaplan or
Rance Gregory if you have an interest in participating in this project, which should be able to make an immediate positive impact on low-income working families.
Team Lead:
Joel Kaplan
PEP (Parental Engagement Program) - SVPP is partnering with Clark and Kelly Elementary Schools in the Portland Public School District to increase parental engagement within
these schools and build community support.
Research indicates that parental and community support for schools is key to sustained performance. High poverty schools currently lack the resources to adequately reach out to and engage parents in a meaningful way.
The goal of PEP is to work with principals to establish and build a model for ongoing active parent involvement in the school, with a strong focus on assisting parents to help their children succeed in school.
With this focus in mind, SVPP will provide funding to Clark and Kelly Elementary Schools for the 2005-2006 school year in an aggregate amount of $30,000 for resources (including hiring a program coordinator for each school) and program
spending. In addition, SVPP will provide volunteer resources to assist with development and implementation of the program at each school and participate in a school-wide Advisory Council.
SVPP's most ambitious goal is to build a program that can be replicated at other schools in the Portland metro area. If successful, additional schools may be added to the program in subsequent years.
Involvement opportunities include participation in the Advisory Council and development of specific programs at the schools. Please contact
Sara Allan or
Kirsten Day if you have an interest in participating in this program.
Team leads:
Sara Allan and
Kirsten Day
Venture Scholars Awards Scholarships
 The Venture Scholars program announced on March 9, awarded the first 11 scholarships in
May. Four scholarships were awarded to Roosevelt High School seniors and seven to Benson Polytechnic High School. These scholarships will enable these students to pursue career-focused training at community colleges or training
institutes. Careers selected  by these students include: teacher's aide, multimedia, ophthalmic assistant, food catering, paramedic, CNC programmer,
fashion marketing, building construction and journeyman machinist.
Receptions were held in both High Schools and were attended by the Venture Scholars team, the recipients, family, friends, school counselors and donors. All of the winners warmly expressed their gratitude for the Venture Scholars award.
For additional information, please click
Venture Scholars
Top photo: Benson Polytechnic High School scholarship recipients, mother and counselor.
Bottom photo: from left to right, SVPP partners Frank and Mary Gill, John Miner and Joe Barthmaier.
SVPP Featured by OCF
SVPP was one of seven innovative nonprofit organizations featured at Oregon Community Foundation's annual lunch on May 11, 2005. The theme of the lunch for more than 800 guests, featuring Dan Wieden as the
keynote speaker, was Innovation. Dan spoke of the need for creative thinking in the nonprofit world and the need for non-traditional solutions for the country's social ills.
SVPP was selected to participate because of its model of pairing philanthropy and venture capital practices. In addition, each honoree was given a display table to provide information about their organization and mission. SVPP also was
given special mention during the lunch presentations.
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From Our Investees
Kids Cafe - Boys & Girls Club of Portland
Wattles Kids Cafe fed an average of 150 kids per day for the first quarter of 2005, in addition to afternoon snacks averaging 75 kids per day. The program has been running at a
profit during the past quarter. Nutritional education classes are held three times per week. An average of 65 members participate each month in the nutrition programs.
B&GC has partnered with Healthy Living By Design and Growing Gardens in a grant to fund a garden project at the Wattles Club. Growing Gardens, an organization that installs home gardens for low-income residents, will implement a Garden
Club each week at the Wattles Club for the 2005-2006 school year.
Detailed plans and specifications for construction of the Kids Cafe at Blazers have been approved. Construction is under way and proceeding well with a targeted completion in mid-August. B&GC management and Board are continuing their
efforts to raise funds required for expansion of the Hillsboro facility to include the third Kids Cafe. To date, B&GC has received a $400,000 grant from Washington County Community Block Grant program. An additional $1,325,000 in proposals
are pending to the Murdock Trust, The Collins Foundation, The Oregon Community Foundation, The Anne & Bill Swindells Charitable Trust, and the Weyerhaeuser Foundation.
For more information, click
Kids Cafe
Free Clinic of SW Washington
A good deal of work was devoted to the redesign of the Free Clinic's website. The initial study has been completed covering: formats, approach to getting help, and obtaining funding
to complete the project. A resource has been identified for this project and the website redesign is in process.
Volunteers have been identified to support the definition of a marketing plan for the Free Clinic. The team could use one or two more volunteers.
For more information, click
Free Clinic
Metropolitan Family Service
The selection process for an IT consultant for the database project was completed successfully. The agreement outlining scope of project, timeline, and deliverables was finalized
last month. MFS staff is evaluating intranet options, but a selection has not yet been made.
SVPP has a partner on each of their three strategic committees. In addition, SVPP members Valerie Ilsley and Les Soltesz are members of the MFS Ways to Work loan committee. Ways to Work provides low income parents who are unable to get
loans elsewhere with low-interest loans to purchase or repair vehicles. The Committee has held two meetings to date and approved eight loans. SVPP currently has 13 volunteers at MFS.
For more information, click
MFS
Morrison Child and Family Services
Good progress on many elements of the "Connections for Children" Information Technology project, E-time (electronic timecards) has been deployed to all upgraded sites. The Beta
version of the Intakes database project (merging databases) was successfully demonstrated. The deployment of the tier client-tracking project (Hand in Hand) is on track. Evaluation and planning for Marqui implementation is under way.
Marqui will provide tools for more effective use of the Internet and Intranet, as well as provide a tool to store and access standard template information - potential use could be for grant writing and RFPs.
For more information, click
MCFS
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From Our Partners
Partner Profiles
Rance Gregory and Joel Kaplan - Rance and Joel co-led the C.A.S.H. project driven   by the realization that SVPP can make a significant contribution in helping Oregon low income families benefit from federal and state tax credits that
are available to them but go uncollected. Rance led the initial efforts and established strong contacts with the Oregon Tax Credit Alliance and the IRS to understand the current efforts and how SVPP can make a significant contribution.
Once the framework of SVPP's participation was defined, Rance and Joel worked closely with OTCC as well as other organizations who provide funding for OTCC like United Way and the Oregon Food Bank to formalize SVPP's engagement.
Photos: left, Rance Gregory; right, Joel Kaplan
Sara Allan and Kirsten Day - Sara and Kirsten co-led the Portland school partnerships  investment team whose objective was to find a meaningful way to engage directly with elementary schools in low income areas and have an impact on
children's academic performance through stronger parental participation. To accomplish this, Sara and Kirsten established strong contacts with the Portland Schools Foundation, elementary school principals, school administrators and social
service organizations. Their leadership was instrumental in defining the SVPP partnerships with Clark and Kelly Elementary Schools for the 2005-2006 school year.
Photo:Sara Allan (left) and Kirsten Day (right).
Welcome New Partners
Chris Bailey and Robert Lusk - Chris Bailey was born and raised in Richmond, Virginia. He attended Virginia Commonwealth
University, and got his undergraduate degree from Oregon State University, and a Masters Degree in Environmental Management with a certificate in hydrology from Portland State. His specific research was on the effect Portland's urban heat
island has on regional precipitation. He will teach physical geography at a local college this fall. Chris is a tenor with Oregon Repertory Singers. He and Robert have two "pound dogs" which Robert spoils and Chris "parents".
Robert Lusk was born in Texas. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Houston and his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch. His postgraduate training is in internal medicine and infectious
diseases. He is the associate director of the internal medicine residency program at Providence Portland Medical Center, where he also practices infectious disease medicine. He serves as medical director of "Our House of Portland".
Before moving to Portland he was medical director of Willamette Valley Hospice. He enjoys cooking, gardening and reading.
Both Chris and Robert love to travel. Ask Robert about his recent experience with "yak liver" sauté while in Lhasa with a N.W. medical team's mission to China.
Nathaniel (Than) Clevenger and John Mozzocco - Than is an entrepreneur, marketing communications strategist and speech writer.
Than brings a broad background in business, marketing, government relations and political consulting to his own firm "3." Than formed "3" after leaving Fleishman Hillard - currently the largest public relations firm in the world - as a
vice president and chair of the global technology marketing team. Prior to joining Fleishman Hillard, Than spent the previous seventeen years working in a variety of senior positions with companies and organizations around the globe from
offices in Washington D.C. and New York.
He served in senior staff positions with The Democratic National Committee, The Canzeri Company (the Rockefeller Family's public relations and public affairs firm) and Hill and Knowlton Public Affairs Worldwide Company (currently the
second largest public relations and public affairs firm in the world) in both the Washington D.C. and New York offices.
Current and former clients include CEOs and senior executives in large, privately held corporations, Fortune 500 and multinational corporations, foreign heads of state, trade association directors and senior executives at large non-profit
foundations. He has written speeches and or correspondence for a variety of leaders including former President Bill Clinton and former President George H.W. Bush among many others. Than was recently listed in Strathmore's Who's Who in
American Business, 2004 Edition.
Than is a native of the Hampton Roads area of southeastern Virginia (formerly and historically known as Tidewater) and enjoys competitive sailing, painting, art collecting and military history. He is a graduate of George Mason University
in Fairfax, Virginia, and currently resides in Portland, Oregon, with his wife, Sydney, a Portland native, and their children Jack and Steele Elizabeth.
John Mozzocco is described as a storyteller, networker, entrepreneur, musician, and friend to everyone he meets. A professional musician for the first 20 years of his adult life, John traveled the world playing bass guitar with legendary
musicians such as Johnny Lee Hooker, Carlos Santana, and Robert Gray. Returning to Portland, John laid down his bass but continued in the entertainment field by founding Poundhouse.com, an Internet company that remonitized unused
entertainment inventory. These days John can be found working with 3's prospective clients as partner in charge of new business development, website and newsletters. John lives in Portland with his wife, Sarah Quist-Mazzocco, daughter
Nicole and three sons, Peter, Michael, and Robert. In his spare time he can be found on the golf course working on his handicap.
Mary Edmeades - Mary is a branch manager and vice president for Albina Community Bank. Her primary function is to foster and
nurture the spirit of Social Impact Banking. Albina currently serves more than 400 nonprofits and foundations, including SVPP. Prior to Albina, Mary was a VP at Pacific Northwest Bank and US Bank.
Mary is currently a member of the search committee for the Portland Development Commission and is a member of five boards of directors: Regional Arts and Culture, Zimmerman Community Center, Alzheimer's Association, Association of Portland
Neighborhood Business Alliances and Professional Services Council.
She has served on many other boards during the past, and volunteers for Junior Achievement in their financial literacy program. She is also a member of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church.
Steve Rosenbaum and Amanda Bryan - Steve has over 12 years of management experience in the electronic publishing industry,
with expertise in web development and Internet marketing. Steve has consulted on over 200 web projects, including multiple projects for non-profits, mid-size companies and Global 500 corporations.
Steve attended Wilson High School in Portland, went to Stanford for his undergraduate education where he received a B.A. in History and a minor in Economics. Upon graduation, he immediately returned to the City of Roses to start Pop Art in
1997. Under his leadership, Pop Art has been recognized as "Small Business of the Year", "Most Innovative Small Business," the 5th fastest growing technology company in Oregon, and the 3rd best small company to work for in the state.
Steve is active in numerous community and professional organizations which include the AeA, the Software Association of Oregon, the Portland Business Alliance, Portland City Club, and the Portland Advertising Federation. Steve is board
member of Chess for Success. He is a board member and treasurer of the Oregon Bus Project.
Amanda Bryan is a Sales Engineer for Hinds Instruments, a high tech optical firm located in Hillsboro, Oregon. She holds a Masters of Electrical Engineering from University of Texas and has lived in the Portland area for four years.
Previously Amanda was a researcher at Lawrence Berkley National Lab, and a congressional liaison for the Department of Energy Office of Science. She also began the Technology Exchange Program at the University of Texas, traveling to
Honduras to set up a wireless communication system for medical centers in remote villages.
In her spare time, Amanda is active in the community and is a board member and organizes event fundraisers for the Oregon Bus Project, an organization that is dedicated to getting young people more involved in local politics. She is a
mentor with the AWSEM program, is active in the Optical Society of America, Society of Women Engineers, IEEE, and was a founding member of MentorNet, an organization dedicated to providing college women studying optics professional
mentors.
Ted and Katrina Wheeler - Ted Wheeler, a sixth-generation resident of Portland, is proud to have graduated from the Portland
Public Schools. As a former Director and senior manager of Copper Mountain Trust, Inc., Ted helped grow the company to become the largest independent trust company in the Pacific Northwest. Ted is actively involved with the Portland
Ambassadors Program which works to retain local businesses and recruit new ones to the Portland Area.
Ted is very active in community service. He volunteers as an overnight shelter host at the Goose Hollow Family Shelter and is the founder of Portland YouthWorks, Inc., which raises funds for cultural and educational opportunities for
disadvantaged children throughout Portland. Ted founded the annual Walk for the Wildwood which raises funds for the preservation of Forest Park. He serves as the Multnomah County Citizen Representative on the Metro Policy Advisory
Committee (MP AC). He has also held leadership posts at Neighborhood House, Inc., the World Affairs Council of Oregon, and the Friends of Forest Park. He is a supporter of the Cascade Aids Project and the local chapter of the Boy Scout's
Eagle Scout Association. He is a field deployable volunteer for Portland Mountain Rescue and has participated in many search and rescue operations.
Ted earned a BA in Economics from Stanford University, an MBA from Columbia University and a MPP from Harvard University. He is currently gearing up a campaign to run for Multnomah County Chair.
Katrina was raised in Oregon, went to school in Oregon (OSU), moved to Seattle and then back to Portland (she missed Oregon too much).
Volunteer work and non-profits have always been a big part of Katrina's life. In college she participated in tutoring young children for Benton Literacy and helped with fundraisers for a number of organizations. In Portland, Katrina
volunteered for the Children's Museum, the Neighborhood House, the Big Sister Program and many other organizations. She was a Director of Special Events for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the Development Coordinator for the Vestibular
Disorders Association. Most recently she was a Financial Advisor, leaving the industry when she finally realized that she preferred the helping aspect of the job more than the selling aspect. According to Katrina, you can take the girl
out of the non-profit but you can't take the non-profit out of the girl.
On a personal level, Ted and Katrina are newly married and committed to continuing to make a difference in the community not only through philanthropy but through Ted's run for Multnomah County Chair.
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Calendar |
September 21: Q3 Meeting at Elephants Uptown, 115 NW 22nd.
October 27-31: SVPI Meeting in Phoenix. All partners are encouraged to attend.
November 16: Q4 Meeting.
December 14: Holiday Party at Jeff and Sandy Grubb's residence.
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SVPP Has Moved
SVPP's office is now located near the east side of the Selwood Bridge in the River Park Center. The new address is 205 SE Spokane St., Suite 329. The phone number remains the same,
503-222-0114. Free parking!!
Foundation Source Announces Partnership with SVPI
Foundation Source, the nation's leading provider of support services for private foundations, announced a partnership with SVPI on June 1. Foundation Source will introduce SVP's high engagement model to promote
philanthropy to its client base of more than 300 private foundations. To learn more, click
Foundation Source.
Community Friends
Think the UN and other governments have the tsunami relief effort in hand? Think again. Click
Community Friends to see how things are on the ground and how you can help.
Social Venture Partners Links
Many of our partners are interested in learning about the activities of the broader SVPI organization. Here are two informative links that will allow you to view activities in
other communities and view SVPI Newsletters (
SVP Communities,
SVPI Newsletters).
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