SVP Seattle

Philanthropy and Wealth Inequality
2023-10-18 17:00 - 19:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Byrd Barr Place, 722 18th Avenue, Seattle, WA, 98122, United States
Philanthropists will discuss their relationship with wealth and what they are trying to do to address systemic poverty and wealth inequality.

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Meet our speakers:

Cathy Habib
Cathy and her husband, David, joined SVP in 2001. Cathy had spent 10 years in Software Development at Hewlett-Packard and Microsoft before transitioning to staying home with their two young children. Cathy served on the SVP Education grant committee in 2007 which then inspired her to get more involved as a volunteer in local Education efforts. She served on the Bellevue Schools Foundation board for 9 years, several of those years as their VP of Grantmaking. In 2011, Cathy joined the early “volunteer” staff of Eastside Pathways, a cradle-to-career collective action organization in East King County. She now serves as the Eastside Pathways board chair which oversees the nonprofit Eastside Pathways “backbone” and provides a leadership table for the Eastside Pathways Partnership. Because of Cathy’s interest in collective action, she joined the SVP EduCAT committee in 2018 to deepen her knowledge of Collective Action efforts in the Puget Sound region.
David Habib
David Habib joined Social Venture Partners in 2000, after a career in software development at Microsoft. Since 2000, he has focused exclusively on the nonprofit sector, where he has provided program management and software engineering for database and web-based applications for nonprofits. Along with his wife Cathy, he has been involved in philanthropy and nonprofit work since then.
He has served on two SVP grant committees, and has been an avid technology volunteer, working on database projects for many SVP investees and other Puget Sound area nonprofits including SPEB, Rainier Athletes, Youth Eastside Services, Child Care Resources, New Futures, Washington Environmental Council, Powerful Voices, Seattle SCORES, Groundwire, Rainier Scholars, and many others. He also worked for Salesforce.com’s Foundation, working on software for the nonprofit sector.
Beth McCaw
Beth McCaw is the founding funder of Threshold Philanthropy, LLC, and with her husband Yahn Bernier, co-founder of the Bernier McCaw Foundation. Beth and Yahn have a long history of giving in their communities, most recently in Washington state, which has been their home since 1998. It’s here that Beth had transformative experiences on the Board of Directors of YWCA of Seattle/King County/Snohomish County and YWCA USA, as President & CEO of Washington Women’s Foundation, and also as a member of the Sisterhood, a community of seven white women and six Black women who are living into what it means to deeply reckon with white supremacy and the wealth gap. As part of the Sisterhood, Beth is actively working to build intergenerational wealth in Black families and at Threshold, through relationship-building and the return of resources, is exploring individual reparative action and how to help people and communities heal.
Srilakshmi (Sri) Remala
Srilakshmi (Sri ) Remala is a Senior Program Officer on the K-12 Solutions team at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, focused on scaling high-quality instructional materials through digital experiences for students and educators that build context, motivation and engagement mathematics. Over the last 10 + years, she has focused her career on bringing technology products to market that improve student and teacher outcomes especially for low-income students and students of color. She has led product teams at ed-tech companies like Committee for Children, Agile Mind, and DreamBox Learning and recently developed a mobile app for college students to stay on track to achieve their term goals. Sri began her education sector work as part of the on the ground team of two non-profits in our region, Washington STEM and Community Center for Education Results (CCER). Sri is driven by the belief that where you live and zip code you were born into should not determine the quality of education and opportunities you receive. She is actively involved in her family’s philanthropy effort at The Satya and Rao Remala Foundation and has made investment both locally and abroad in STEM programs, university scholarships and educator development opportunities. The Remala Foundation support for education takes many forms and is rooted in the belief that education opens doors to opportunity and economic mobility. Sri holds a bachelor’s from Carnegie Mellon University and an MPA from UW Evans School of Public Affairs. Sri currently serves on the advisory board for the University of Washington College of Education and Zeno Math.

Skilled Volunteering Onboarding
2023-10-19 12:00 - 13:00
What is SVP’s approach to skilled volunteering? What does capacity building for a non-profit mean? What kind of non-profits and volunteer jobs are available?
Join SVP Seattle staff and Partners to learn more about how SVP pairs Partners with non-profits looking for skilled volunteers to work on projects focused on building an organization’s capacity, such as website development and design, project management, strategic planning, and communications strategy. You’ll learn more about the non-profits we support, our approach to volunteering and capacity building, hear stories from other volunteers on their experiences, and what volunteering opportunities are open right now.
We require this orientation for anyone interested in volunteering with SVP.
*Zoom link provided upon registration.*

RSVP Here

New Partners Onboarding (Virtual)
2023-10-25 17:00 - 18:00
Join us to meet with fellow new Partners, and learn more about SVP Seattle. At the onboarding, Emiko Atherton, our Executive Director, will share:

SVP’s mission, vision, and program
What it means to be an SVP Partner
How to share your time and talent through volunteer projects
Information about upcoming SVP programs
You will also have a chance to connect with other new Partners.

To RSVP, please email info@svpseattle.org with “RSVP to New Partner Onboarding” in the subject line. Zoom link sent upon registration confirmation.

RSVP Here

What’s Going On: Policy Considerations to Address Wealth Inequality
2023-11-09 17:00 - 19:00 | Byrd Barr Place, 722 18th Avenue, Seattle, WA, 98122, United States
Come hear from community leaders about both why we need to and how we can put in place policies and programs that help people overcome systemic poverty and wealth inequality. There are several programs that we know have been very effective and some creative ideas are being proposed such as Baby Bonds and a Guaranteed Basic Income. In addition, Washington State has one of the most regressive tax structures in the US. Many are taking note and proposing real solutions for our state legislature to contemplate in the upcoming 2024 session, including a wealth tax, reformed estate tax, and other ideas.

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Meet our speakers:

Dr. Stephan BlanfordExecutive Director, Children’s Alliance
As the Executive Director of Children’s Alliance, Dr. Stephan Blanford leads a team of committed staff, volunteers and more than 6,000 members, advocating fiercely for the improved outcomes for children in Washington state. As an unapologetic advocate for racial and social justice, Stephan’s work has ranged from early learning to college entrance leading small, direct service youth development agencies to multidisciplinary demonstration projects.
In 2013, he was elected by the voters of Seattle and served a four-year term on the Seattle School Board, where he received the “Leadership for Equity” award at the conclusion of his term. More recently, the Evergreen Chapter of the American Society of Public Administrators awarded him the “Billy J. Frank Race and Social Justice” award for leadership and advocacy. Extending his work at a national level, he is the board chair of Integrated Schools and serves on the board of Partnership for America’s Children, Balance our Tax Code Coalition, and several other progressive organizations.
Dr. Blanford holds a Bachelors’ degree in Social Justice from Antioch University, a Masters in Public Policy from the Evans School of Governance and Public Policy and a Doctorate from the College of Education at the University of Washington.

Senator Noel Frame36th Legislative DistrictD-Seattle
Noel Frame (she/her) has represented the people of the 36th Legislative District as their state senator since January 2023, after having served the district as state representative beginning in January 2016.
Noel is an award-winning legislator, having been honored more than 15 times for her work advocating for youth involved in the foster care and juvenile justice systems, expanding services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and behavioral health challenges, championing economic development, and fixing the state’s upside-down tax code. She takes on many of the toughest challenges facing our state – reforming our criminal legal system, building more affordable housing, strengthening and investing in the diverse communities that make up Washington state, balancing our tax code, and more.
In 2023, she serves as vice chair of the Senate Housing Committee, vice chair of the Senate Business, Financial Services, Gaming & Trade Committee, and as a member of the Senate Human Services Committee. She previously served as the chair of the House Finance Committee.
In addition to her role in the state Legislature, Noel is a small business owner and partner of BDS Planning & Urban Design, a community development consulting firm located in Belltown. She is a facilitator, organizer, strategist, and engagement specialist with more than 20 years’ experience in the non-profit, private, public, and political sectors.
Noel and her husband Jim live in Greenwood with their toddler, Holden. She has lived in the 36th District since 2005 and is originally from Battle Ground, in southwest Washington. She earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from George Washington University in Washington, DC.

Sharonne NavasCo-Founder and Executive Director of the Equity in Education Coalition
The first American-born child of immigrant parents from Guatemala and El Salvador, Sharonne understands, and values, the complexity of being multi-lingual and multi-cultural in America. A native of New York City, Sharonne moved to the Seattle area in 2009.
Past professions include being a community organizer with Stand for Children, Executive Director of Para Los Niños, Assistant Director of Development for NARAL Pro-Choice America, Deputy Executive Director for Ayuda, Inc., and Development Coordinator for the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty.
In 2010, she was appointed as Commissioner for the Washington State Commission on Hispanic Affairs.
In 2016, she was appointed to the Board of Trustees of Green River Community College.
Sharonne was an advisory member for the Thrive By Five‘s “Talk, Love, Play” initiative, a cohort member of Thrive by Five’s “Advancing Racial Equity Theory of Change in Early Learning,” a committee member of the WA State Education Opportunity Gap Oversight and Accountability Committee. Sharonne is currently a member of the advocacy caucus, community network steering committee, and sponsors group of the Road Map Project of CCER.
She also volunteers for the South King Council on Human Services and was a Board member of the League of Education Voters and is on the Steering Committee of the Southeast Seattle Education Coalition. Sharonne holds a BA in Psychology and Sociology from St. John’s University.
She spends her off-time exploring the various foods and wines of WA State with her husband Steve and their tweenie dachshunds, Manny, and Porter.

Lilliane Ballesteros
Lilliane has 15 years of experience working with nonprofits and community organizations to develop and implement funding strategies, and advocate for program and policy changes. She started working with LCF in 2013 in a Development Role. since 2019, she has served in her current role as Executive Director to support and build statewide power with Latinx/e communities. Lilliane loves exploring WA State, including eating oysters in Seattle, clamming on the coast, and enjoying the Yakima River.

Meet the Board Social
2023-11-14 16:00 - 18:00 | Poco Bar & Lounge, 1408 E Pine St, Seattle, WA, 98122, United States
Join us for a drink, some light bites, and chat with our SVP board members. It’s a great opportunity to connect with our fantastic board members and gain valuable insights into our board’s plans and goals for the future of SVP.

RSVP Here

Getting Ready to Advocate for Washington State Legislation Addressing Wealth Inequality
2023-11-27 17:00 - 19:00
Your voice is critical and can have an impact – especially at the state level. Learn how to advocate with your elected representatives and when your voice can have the most impact during the state legislative session. We will also share the landscape of local organizations that are working on these issues and who have dedicated advocacy activities and events.
Many of us donate to food banks to ensure that people in our community are not going hungry. Want to participate in long term systems change, which would mean fewer hungry people? Join us as we use our collective knowledge to bring our collective SVP voice to bear in the upcoming 2024 State Legislature legislation session (January-March 2024).

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A Dialogue about Transformation Capacity Building with Ananda Valenzuela
2023-12-06 12:00 - 13:00
SVP Seattle’s Skilled Volunteering Program pairs SVP Partners with non-profit organizations to work together on capacity-building projects. Join this discussion with Ananda Valenzuela on the article they co-authored on “Transformation Capacity Building” in the Stanford Social Innovation Review. This is an opportunity to deepen your learning on how to partner with non-profits for transformation and change.
This event is virtual (Zoom link and article provided upon registration).

RSVP Here

About Ananda:
Ananda Valenzuela (any pronouns) provides interim executive director leadership, facilitates organizational transformation, and coaches values-aligned leaders. He is passionate about nourishing joyful organizational cultures, supporting equitable self-management, and building liberatory practices. They have served as interim executive director at multiple organizations, provided capacity-building support to nonprofits for over ten years, and currently sit on the boards of Change Elemental and Hampshire College. Ananda grew up in Puerto Rico and slowly made her way across the United States, holding a variety of consulting, governance, and activist roles along the way.

Advocacy in Action - SVP's Legislative Session Kick-Off
2024-01-09 17:00 - 18:30
SVP has taken on a new initiative – advocating for economic justice and poverty alleviation in our state! This is the natural outcome of our journey to include meaningfully in advocacy in our work. We have an important and unique voice, as philanthropists focused on racial justice, to bring to the collation of organizations advocating for bills that address aspects of our regressive tax code in our state.
Join us for our 2024 Washington State Legislature kick-off! During the kick-off, you’ll meet other volunteers, gain resources and talking points behind the bills we will advocate for, understand the timeline for getting bills passed, craft your “story” so you can easily compose and/or deliver testimony, and be part of the change. Together, we can bring the vision to alleviate poverty and wealth inequality to reality.
Mark your calendars and join us online for Advocacy in Action – SVP’s Legislative Session Kick-Off!
Register here

New Partners Onboarding (virtual)
2024-01-24 12:00 - 13:00
Join us to meet with fellow new Partners, and learn more about SVP Seattle. At the onboarding, Emiko Atherton, our Executive Director, will share:

SVP’s mission, vision, and program
What it means to be an SVP Partner
How to share your time and talent through volunteer projects
Information about upcoming SVP programs
You will also have a chance to connect with other new Partners.

Advocacy Day Office Hours
2024-01-24 17:30 - 18:30
Join us for an engaging and informative session at our Drop-In Office Hours! Whether you’re a seasoned advocate or a first-time participant, this is your opportunity to get firsthand information on Advocacy Day, understand the current status of important bills, and have all your questions answered.
Zoom provided upon registration.

Lunch and site visit with Refugee Artisan Initiative
2024-01-25 12:00 - 13:30
Join us for a unique opportunity to have lunch and visit SVP Seattl’es organizational partner, Refugee Artisan Initiative. During this event, we will tour RAI’s maker space with their founder and Executive Director, Ming-Ming Tung Edleman, and Director of Business Development, Tali Rausch.
During this event, you’ll have the chance to connect with these amazing leaders, learn about their work, and hear about ways to support their work through SVP’s Skilled Volunteering Program. We’ll end with a lunch and Q & A with Ming Ming and Tali.

Register

Skilled Volunteering Onboarding
2024-02-13 17:00 - 18:00
What is SVP’s approach to skilled volunteering? What does capacity building for a non-profit mean? What kind of non-profits and volunteer jobs are available?
Join SVP Seattle staff and Partners to learn more about how SVP pairs Partners with non-profits looking for skilled volunteers to work on projects focused on building an organization’s capacity, such as website development and design, project management, strategic planning, and communications strategy. You’ll learn more about the non-profits we support, our approach to volunteering and capacity building, hear stories from other volunteers on their experiences, and what volunteering opportunities are open right now.
We require this orientation for anyone interested in volunteering with SVP.
*Zoom link provided upon registration.*

Advocacy Day with Children's Alliance
2024-02-15 | Olympia, WA
We are joining former grantee Children’s Alliance for their Advocacy Day in Olympia. Children’s Alliance advocates for policies to support Washington’s most underserved children. One of their legislative priorities is economic justice the same bill’s SVP is tracking. We see this Advocacy Day as the perfect opportunity to support the needs of our non-profit partners and advocate for economic justice.
When you register, please mark that you are with SVP Seattle. Please let Emiko Atherton know if you want to carpool with SVP Seattle.

Climate Justice Cohort Info Session
2024-02-20 12:00 - 13:00
The 2024 Climate Justice Grantmaking Collaborative is an exciting initiative joint-led by Basilica Bio and Social Venture Partners Seattle (SVP).
This info session is an excellent opportunity to learn more about the cohort, SVP and Basilica Bio.
Zoom link provided upon registration.

Community Wealth Building Workshop with The Democracy Collaborative
2024-03-12 10:00 - 16:30 | Centilia Cultural Center, 1660 South Roberto Maestas Festival St, Seattle, WA, 98144, United States
Join People’s Economy Lab (PEL) and the Democracy Collaborative as they bring a diverse group of community leaders, public officials, activists, entrepreneurs and philanthropists together to explore the transformative power of Community Wealth Building (CWB). CWB is an economic development model that transforms local economies by giving communities direct ownership and control of productive assets like real estate, businesses and financial capital. Cities across the nation, and the globe, are combating crises like the racial wealth gap by advancing CWB strategies.
RSVP is required. Lunch will be provided.

Village SVP
2024-03-13 12:00 - 13:00
We’re excited to announce a new networking space at SVP called Village SVP. Village SVP is a new monthly virtual community experience intended to deepen the connections between us. Expect to meet other participants one-on-one in randomly paired connections. You’ll also select a small break-out group to join and dive into meaningful conversations.
It is a great opportunity to connect with a community of diverse individuals representing change-makers throughout Seattle.
We hope you’ll join us! RSVP here

Resource Development Committee meeting
2024-03-21 14:00 - 15:00
Join the Resource Development Committee! The Resource Development Committee is composed of SVP Partners focused on recruiting and retaining partners and renewing Partners’ gifts of time, talent, treasure, and ties.
Please email info@svpseattle.org for more details.

Climate Justice Grantmaking Collaborative
2024-03-21 18:00 - 20:00 | Byrd Barr Place, 722 18th Avenue, Seattle, WA, 98122, United States
The 2024 Climate Justice Grantmaking Collaborative is an exciting initiative joint-led by Basilica Bio and Social Venture Partners Seattle (SVP) to equitably and collectively distribute a grant award of up to $75,000 over three years to a BIPOC-led and serving 501(c)3 or fiscally sponsored organization working towards climate justice in King County.

SVP Partners are encouraged to apply to join the cohort.

Refugee Artisan Initiative's Inaugural Gala
2024-03-22 18:00 - 20:30 | Mercer Island Community Center, 8236 SE 24th St, Mercer Island, WA, 98040, United States
Refugee Artisan Initiative’s inaugural Gala will feature a global meal, beverages, live auction, and dessert. During this multi-cultural celebration, you’ll have the opportunity to learn more about RAI’s work, meet the artisans, and support the mission.

Mindful Giving
2024-03-28 08:00 - 17:00
What is Mindful Giving?
The conscious practice of weaving a community and vision that is aligned with values. Mindful Giving is giving with and into wholeness.
Join Us If You:

Want to find wholeness in giving, and receiving. What is wholeness? Asking and answering that for yourself is part of the journey
Want to nurture personal giving as a practice of ease, clarity, and sufficiency.
Want to become aware, in mind and body, of how individual giving connects to the broader context that we live in, which includes systems of philanthropy and social justice.
Are someone who gives, regardless of income level
Are curious about how to apply mindfulness practice to giving (and receiving)

The Offering:

Biweekly Reflection: Every two weeks over 3 months beginning March 31 we will send you a virtual package that include prompts for Personal Reflection, Learning, Mindfulness Practice, and Processing – we recommend setting aside 1 hour for this, and doing this with a partner.
Monthly Community: We will open a monthly 60-min virtual space for us to come together as a community for reflection and processing. Dates are Thursdays 4/25, 5/23, and 6/20, 12-1p.
Fee: $25-500 sliding scale per person. A sliding scale is a way to offer people with different accessibility to wealth, stability and income to participate. We offer the guidelines below in case helpful. Please choose a level that fits your situation, and you have the option making monthly payments if that makes it more accessible. The $100-249 level helps cover our costs.

Chew on This Dinner
2024-04-05 18:00 - 20:00
Hosted by SVP Partner Julie Pham and SVP Board Chair Ruby Love
Location: International District, address provided upon registration
To RSVP, please email info@svpseattle.org with your name and dietary needs.
oin us for a homemade meal hosted by an SVP Partner and a board member. The facilitated dinner conversations are designed to build connections and to share stories within the SVP community. Each dinner is capped at 10 people maximum, so please only register if you are confident you’ll be able to attend.
Be prepared to answer these questions:

What are three communities (aside from SVP) do you belong to? You can define “community” however you’d like.
What were discussions about money like in your family and why do you think they were like that?
Who is someone in your life who models generosity and inspires you to be more generous with your time, treasure, and talent?
Asks and Offers: What is something specific you’d like to ask for help with from this group? What is something specific you’d like to offer to help those in this group?

Village SVP
2024-04-10 12:00 - 13:00
Village SVP is a new monthly virtual community experience intended to deepen the connections between us. Expect to meet other participants one-on-one in randomly paired connections. You’ll also select a small break-out group to join and dive into meaningful conversations.
It is a great opportunity to connect with a community of diverse individuals representing change-makers throughout Seattle.
We hope you’ll join us for our second meeting! RSVP here

Lunch and site visit with Dignity for Divas
2024-04-17 12:00 - 13:30 | Dignity for Divas, 306 Dexter Ave N, Seattle, WA, 98109
Join us for a unique opportunity to visit SVP Seattle’s organizational partner, Dignity for Divas. During this event, we will tour the Dignity for Divas’ space (including visit their new food pantry), and sit down for lunch and a discussion with their founder and Executive Dierctor, Nikki Gane-Butler.
As we come together to learn more about Dignity for Divas’ impactful work, we also invite you to consider making a suggested donation of $25-50 when registering to support their mission.
This event is open to all SVP Seattle Partners, grantees, and potential Partners. Interested in becoming a Partner? Email us at info@svpseattle.org!

Refugee Artisan Initiative - Mending Fair
2024-04-27 12:00 - 16:00, 2024-05-11 12:00 - 16:00, 2024-05-14 12:00 - 16:00, 2024-06-01 12:00 - 16:00 | Refugee Artisan Initiative, 12337 Lake City Way NE, Seattle, WA, 98125
Refugee Artisan Initiative is now offering free mending services to the public. This exciting new project aims to reduce landfill waste, pass on vital skills, and create equitable income for artisans.
This spring’s fairs will offer four mending services:

Sewing a button
Sewing an open seam
Patching a hole
Hemming pants

Come visit the Maker Space at 12337 Lake City Way NE during a fair, and you’ll have a chance to watch and learn as artisans mend and repair clothing—like a pair of jeans or a favorite shirt—for yourself or others.
You’re welcome to bring up to three articles of clothing. Each visitor will receive up to 20 minutes of free mending service. Mending is first come, first serve (no advance registration required.) Please plan to stay at RAI while your item is mended.

Chew on This Dinner (Sold out)
2024-05-02 18:00 - 20:00
Hosted by SVP Partner Julie Pham and SVP Board Member John Clements
Location: International District, address provided upon registration
To RSVP, please email info@svpseattle.org with your name and dietary needs.
Join us for a homemade meal hosted by an SVP Partner and a board member. The facilitated dinner conversations are designed to build connections and to share stories within the SVP community. Each dinner is capped at 10 people maximum, so please only register if you are confident you’ll be able to attend.
Be prepared to answer these questions:

What are three communities (aside from SVP) do you belong to? You can define “community” however you’d like.
What were discussions about money like in your family and why do you think they were like that?
Who is someone in your life who models generosity and inspires you to be more generous with your time, treasure, and talent?
Asks and Offers: What is something specific you’d like to ask for help with from this group? What is something specific you’d like to offer to help those in this group.

Fun, Flowers & Friends
2024-05-04 13:00 - 16:00 | Family First Community Center in Renton, 16200 116th Ave SE, Renton, WA, 98058
Look, Listen +Learn TV is hosting its 2nd Annual P.A.L. Playdate celebrating the friendship of their two beloved co-hosts, Possum and Auntie Lena, collectively known as, P.A.L. The event will take place on Saturday, May 4 from 1pm – 4pm at the Family First Community Center in Renton. Don’t miss out on the fun. Register now.
Inspired by the early learning segments from our television series, the 2nd Annual P.A.L. Playdate is a fun-filled day for children, friends, and families to participate in the same activities seen on the show.
Fun, Flowers + Friends is the theme of the 2024 event, building on the tradition of the first P.A.L. meeting in Auntie Lena’s backyard garden.

Voices for Children 2024
2024-05-16 11:00 - 13:00 | Embassy Suites by Hilton, 255 S. King St., Seattle, WA, 98104
Join Children’s Alliance’s biggest community celebration of the year, featuring bestselling author Ijeoma Oluo. Ijeoma and Children’s Alliance Executive Director, Dr. Stephan Blanford, will discuss the transformative ideas in her latest book and explore how we can harness our power to create a better future for every child.

Voices for Children raises vital support for equity-focused advocacy for kids so that every child grows up with an abundance of opportunities to reach their vast potential. This year you will be able make your donation through your smart phone or fill out a pledge card with your credit card or personal check. This event is free with suggested minimum donation of $250.

This event will be recorded for those who are unable to attend in person. Select “virtual ticket” to receive a recording after the event.

If you have any questions or accessibility needs, please contact Dan Rogland at dan@childrensalliance.org or (206) 324-0340.
