Affinity Groups

    SV2 Affinity Groups provide Partners with opportunities to meaningfully engage around shared interests. They focus their grantmaking in areas not typically addressed in the SV2 STRENGTH grant rounds, learn deeply about a single subject, and develop a greater understanding of community needs.

Current Affinity Groups include the Environmental, International, and Self-Reliance Affinity Groups. 

• Affinity Groups consist of at least 5 Partners who have collectively chosen a subject area about which they would like to learn more, share their knowledge with others, and become more involved in working on in the community.

• To establish a new group, Partners must submit an application to the Board. The Board of Directors approves Affinity Groups for a renewable three-year term, provided the group remains active and within the guidelines. 

• Approved Affinity Groups receive grantmaking authority over a portion of SV2 Funds – currently $50,000 annually – which they distribute strategically to nonprofit organizations demonstrating leverage in their chosen focus area.

• Each group selects two Partners who serve as the leadership team. The leadership team is responsible for ensuring the group’s continued progress and for keeping the appropriate SV2 Board Members and staff updated.

• The Community Foundation assigns each Affinity Group one Program Officer as a non-voting advisor, lending their grantmaking and subject-matter expertise to the Affinity Group as requested.

• Any Partner is permitted to join as many groups as interest and time allow.