• What can you say about your investees? What are their characteristics?

The organizations that Cleveland SVP currently funds fit our Guiding Principles. They are in need of and committed to an infusion of Cleveland SVP volunteer support to build and strengthen their organization's capacity to deliver programs. They are committed to project evaluation and measuring outcomes. They have a long-term perspective on their impact on the target population.

• What kind of people do you look for in the investees you fund?

Cleveland SVP's investees are led by social entrepreneurs – innovative, passionate leaders with vision and ideas about effecting change and solving problems in the community, and creating more social value from their limited resources. They often use traditional business skills to achieve their goals and make creative use of limited resources to doggedly pursue their social mission.

• What are Cleveland Social Venture Partners' funding priorities?

Eligible organizations must serve communities within Cuyahoga County. Applicants must qualify as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service code. Typically, funded organizations have annual budgets of between $250,000 and $2 million.  The Investment Team's focus is reevaluated annually. Guidelines and key dates for grant applications are posted on this web site.

In 2002, asset-based youth development organizations were invited to apply for support.  In 2003, the area of focus was after-school programs that build resiliency skills in at-risk youth ages 5-14.  The funding focus for 2005 is on programs that improve the entrepreneurial and/or business skills and abilities of individuals of any age from disadvantaged backgrounds in ways that contribute to the economic growth of our region. 

How large are the individual investments given by Cleveland SVP?

New investments typically range from $25,000 to $50,000. Cleveland SVP makes initial single year investments with the intent of establishing longer-term partnerships with its investees (typically three to five years, seven years maximum).

• Can Partners nominate investees?

Yes, they can. Some Partners have worked in the community and know of good candidates for grants. Cleveland SVP encourages Partners to bring those organizations to light but these organizations are subject to the same application procedure as any other organization. Cleveland SVP has conflict-of-interest policies to prevent any preference being given to a prospective investee based on a prior relationship with a Partner. Investment decisions are the sole and objective responsibility of the Cleveland SVP Investment Committees.