Thirty representatives from area nonprofits attended the Application Orientation Session held recently. Linda Springer described how CSVP works with investees, this year's emphasis on social innovation, and how to apply. Most of the attendees had not applied to CSVP previously, and thus were very interested in learning more about CSVP’s take on engaged philanthropy. Many appreciated that CSVP supports operating and overhead expenses that many other grants exclude.

The 2011 Request for Proposals, released on June 21 to hundreds of people by email and many more on our web site, indicated that CSVP again accepted letters of interest from nonprofits in all issue areas. New this year is an emphasis on social innovation to align with the upcoming bigBANG! conference. While the deadline has passed for the 2011 grant cycle, please explore our website to find out more about our practice of engaged philanthropy and contact us if you would like to be added to our mailing list. Finalists will be announced in late August, and CSVP’s next investee will be announced in mid-November.

A new, exciting part of CSVP's selection process will be quick-fire presentations (the Fast Pitch session) during bigBANG! Finalists in this year's cycle and a few current CSVP investees will take a turn on the Pitch Stage. Later in the day, audience members will vote for the best presentation.