Transformative Growth: My Journey through the SVP Fellowship Program Participating in the Social Venture Partners (SVP) Fellowship Program has been nothing short of transformative. As the Director of Community Engagement, I have always strived to expand my horizons, sharpen my leadership skills, and deepen my understanding of the nonprofit sector. The SVP Fellowship has not only met these aspirations but … 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
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
Steven Meyer: A Local Leader Committed to Community Impact
With deep roots in the San Antonio community and a passion for making a difference, Steven is a welcome addition to our network of changemakers. As Branch Manager at ABC Home and Commercial Services in San Antonio, Steven brings a wealth of leadership experience and a commitment to enhancing community welfare.
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
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.”
Helping nonprofits make an impact
After moving to San Antonio in 2022, Rebecca White quickly found her niche. With two decades of experience in the nonprofit world, including five years leading her own consulting firm, she immediately started to explore the local nonprofit landscape.
When she learned about SVPSA from Partner Billy Cox, she was captivated.
“At first I thought wow, could this be? Maybe I don’t understand what he’s saying,” she said. “Then I dug into SVPSA and I was just so impressed.”
Helping the homeless one life at a time
As the director of homeless services for Christian Assistance Ministry (CAM), Valerie Salas often feels like Batman putting on his cape.
She leads a team of five assisting one of the city’s most vulnerable and challenging populations: people experiencing chronic homelessness.
Most of them are not candidates for more conventional homeless services due to mental illness, physical disabilities or substance abuse issues. Salas’ team meets them where they are, whether it’s on CAM’s downtown campus or the streets. When they’re ready, CAM will help them with other needs, such as ID recovery, employment, housing, and other support services.