Press Release

SV2 "Cause Ornaments" Inspire Holiday Shoppers to Give the Gift of Supporting a Great Cause

STANFORD, CA, December 1, 2009- At a time when many socially-conscious consumers are tired of buying more superfluous “stuff” for their friends and family members, SV2 (Silicon Valley Social Venture Fund) offers an alternative – Cause Ornaments. For $25, shoppers can make a contribution to the cause of their choice (literacy, mentoring, or environment) as a holiday gift honoring their friends and families.
SV2, a venture philanthropy partnership, spearheaded the campaign to inspire more generosity during the holidays. All proceeds from the “Cause Ornaments” will go directly to SV2’s nonprofit grantees, which SV2 has screened and selected as emerging leaders in their fields:

• The Gift of Reading cause ornament benefits Reading Partners and Silicon Valley Children’s Fund
• The Gift of a Positive Role Model cause ornament benefits Bay Area Women’s Sports Initiative (BAWSI) and Fresh Lifelines for Youth (FLY)
• The Gift of Environmental Sustainability cause ornament benefits Sustainable Conservation and JobTrain

“The beauty of a Cause Ornament is that it’s a double gift,” said SV2 Executive Director Lindsay Austin Louie. “A gift to a cause and a gift for your friend. We’re finding that many Bay Area residents are giving Cause Ornaments to their co-workers, and many parents are buying Cause Ornaments for their children to create an opportunity to discuss giving to others who are less fortunate in the community.”

Shoppers can purchase Cause Ornaments online at www.sv2.org/celebrate, or at SV2’s festive booth located at the Stanford Shopping Center (between Max&Co. and Tous), which will be open every Saturday and Sunday 12-5pm (through Dec. 19th), plus Dec. 21-23 10am-6pm.

Photo opportunities:
Members of the press are invited to come see shoppers buying Cause Ornaments at SV2’s booth at the Stanford Shopping Center (between Max&Co. and Tous) any Saturday or Sunday 12-5pm (through Dec. 19th), plus Dec. 21-23 10am-6pm.

Available for Interview:
• Lindsay Austin Louie, Executive Director, SV2
• Lance Fors, Chair, Board of Trustees, SV2
• Shoppers at SV2’s booth

About SV2 - Silicon Valley Social Venture Fund
SV2 is a partnership for giving. Our donors pool annual contributions of $5,000 each to make a bigger, more meaningful impact than any of us could make on our own. We work together to decide which cutting-edge nonprofits will receive our pooled funds and our professional advising. Founded by Laura Arrillaga-Andreessen in 1998, SV2 offers donors a diverse menu of events and opportunities to engage with one another, our grantees, and the community. For more information please visit www.sv2.org.

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