Dalia Contreras, the CEO of City Education Partners (CEP), is no stranger to the challenges and opportunities in the field of education. With a career that began in the classroom and led her through various leadership roles, Contreras has always been driven by a desire to understand and improve the systems that shape educational experiences. Today, she is at the helm of CEP, where she is channeling her extensive experience into creating a transformative impact on education in San Antonio. Contreras was in the SVPSA Fellowship Class 3.
Nonprofits Save $3 Million Through Skilled Volunteer Tool Provided by Funding Collaborative
San Antonio, TX – October 1, 2024 – Nonprofits across San Antonio and surrounding regions have saved more than $3 million in value thanks to a virtual pro-bono matching tool that connects skilled volunteers with nonprofit organizations. The resource, Catchafire, was launched by a collaborative of local funders, led by Social Venture Partners San Antonio (SVPSA), to provide essential support to … Read More
Connecting Millennials and Gen Z to Philanthropy: SVPSA’s Approach
Social Venture Partners San Antonio (SVPSA) wants to discover ways to get Gen Z and Millennials engaged with philanthropy by giving both time and treasure. As part of our strategy to cultivate more donors, we are finding ways to connect all generations for the betterment of our community. One initiative is to collaborate with the United Way of Bexar County’s … Read More
Bexar Branches: Cultivating a Greener, Healthier San Antonio
For Jaci Randel, the vision of a healthier environment where everyone can thrive has always been at the heart of her work. This passion led her to help establish Bexar Branches Alliance in 2021, a nonprofit dedicated to enhancing San Antonio’s urban forests. Jaci’s journey to founding this organization is a testament to her lifelong commitment to making the world … Read More
Unveiling the Magic Behind Magik Theatre’s Success
A story of how SVPSA’s Catchafire program made a difference In the heart of San Antonio, Magik Theatre stands as a beacon of creativity and imagination, captivating audiences of all ages with its spellbinding productions. But behind the scenes, Director of Development, Heather, had a vision to enhance the theater’s operations and ensure its continued success. Enter our hero, Jack, … Read More
Paying It Forward: The Journey of Ben Brooks, Jr.
Imagine the concept of “Pay it forward” and your mind would probably go right to Ben Brooks, Jr., the CEO of San Antonio nonprofit with the same name, Pay It Forward. His story exemplifies this philosophy, inspiring donors to understand why he dedicates himself to such impactful work in our city. Ben’s journey with Pay It Forward began as a … Read More
Making a Difference: The SVP Impact at Haven For Hope in San Antonio
Located in the heart of San Antonio, Haven For Hope stands as a beacon of hope and healing for individuals experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity. Since its inception, this transformative organization has been dedicated to providing comprehensive services and support to those in need, helping them rebuild their lives and regain their independence. Today, we shine a spotlight on the … Read More
Creating a Positive Ripple Effect: How SVPSA is Making Waves in Our Community
In a world where every action counts, the power of creating positive change cannot be underestimated. At Social Venture Partners San Antonio (SVPSA), we believe in the transformative impact of collective action. From empowering nonprofits to fostering collaboration, we’re dedicated to making a lasting difference in our community. Join us as we explore how SVPSA is creating a positive ripple … Read More
Culturingua receives visit from Duke and Duchess of Sussex
part of Culturingua’s Sewing for Success program, a Welcome Project grantee. The Duke and Duchess were hosted by Nader Mehdawi, Culturingua COO, and Nadia Mavrakis, Culturingua CEO, respectively.
The Welcome Project, a program of the Archewell Foundation, supports the programming provided by Culturingua for women who have recently resettled in San Antonio from Afghanistan. Through Culturingua’s Sewing for Success classes, these women benefit from group gatherings where they develop their sewing skills and build community.
Founding Partner describes growth of SVPSA
Pawl and two other partners were introduced to the concept of Social Venture Partners (SVP) by a member of the SVP chapter in Austin. He admitted he had never heard of anything like it from a philanthropic standpoint, and was immediately intrigued. Pawl comes from a capital markets background and had worked with venture capital firms before. So the venture capital approach to business being applied to philanthropies was something that was immediately attractive for Pawl.
“I’ve seen how impactful private capital can be when applied appropriately, along with professional guidance to growing private businesses,” Pawl said. “And I thought, what a fantastic thing to do in the philanthropic world.”