Over the last nine months, SV2 has partnered in a landmark report on Silicon Valley nonprofits and philanthropy, which was just recently published. The Giving Code, authored by SV2 Partners Alexa Cortes Culwell and Heather McLeod Grant of Open Impact, highlights the gap between Silicon Valley nonprofit needs and local funding realities. Download the full report here, and join us on Nov. 4 for a special session led by Alexa and Heather on how SV2 can be an even more meaningful part of the solution.
At the same time that the need for Silicon Valley nonprofits’ services is rising, the vast majority of philanthropic dollars in Silicon Valley are directed out of the region. Giving to local, community-based organizations represents just 7% of the $1.2 billion given away by private foundations in our region every year. The Giving Code identifies key barriers to connection between philanthropists and local nonprofits – namely, gaps in knowledge and information, social networks, mindset and language, and empathy – and offers insights and ideas that both funders and nonprofits can use to break down these barriers and work together toward a thriving community for all.
Many SV2 Partners and Grantees served as partners and collaborators in the creation of The Giving Code, and Executive Director Jen Ratay and Board Chair Bill Brownell served as advisors to the report.
Do you want to be part of the solution to bridging the gap between local funders and nonprofits? SV2 is hosting a special session with Alexa and Heather on the Giving Code at SV2 on November 4th. Alexa and Heather will briefly present their findings and then lead attendees in a design thinking exercise focused on how all of us in the extended SV2 community might play a greater leadership role in bridging the knowledge, empathy, language, and network gaps and further connecting our community’s nonprofits and philanthropists. RSVP today!