• Is a Cleveland SVP Partner required to give their time as well as the $5,000 annual contribution?

No. Cleveland SVP certainly wants all Partners to get involved with their time and expertise, but some Partners just don't have time to commit and that is OK.  About 30% of Cleveland SVP Partners contribute money only at this stage.  Many Partners contribute their time for a while, take a break, and then get involved again, as professional and family commitments allow.

• Can I become a Partner by giving just my time and expertise but not the $5,000 annual contribution?

No, but friends and business associates can contribute skills and time as part of the Volunteer Teams' work with our investees.

• Is $5,000 the only giving level?

Partners may elect to contribute more than $5,000 to Cleveland SVP, and designate the extra funds to investments and/or administrative costs.

Partner Pairs (spouses, domestic partners, business partners, colleagues or friends) may join Cleveland SVP for a total contribution of $5,000.  Partner Pairs receive a single vote on Cleveland SVP business, and one vote each when participating on an Investment Team.

CSVP also offers an Associate Partner contribution level for those who are 39 and under. Associate Partners and Associate Partner Pairs contribute $2,500 yearly. Voting rules for Associate Partners are the same as those for Partners outlined in the previous paragraph.  

For those who cannot otherwise meet the annual financial contribution, click here to learn more about the Fellows program. A fellowship requires participation, but not a financial commitment. 

• Is my annual contribution tax-deductible?

Yes. Cleveland SVP is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and all contributions to Cleveland SVP are fully tax-deductible.

• When is my annual contribution due?

Individuals become Cleveland SVP Partners at the time they make their first payment to the organization.  They may send their payment at any time of the year. Annual contributions can be paid in full once a year, or in equal payments semi-annually or quarterly.

• Can Partners designate their contribution to a particular investee?

No.  All Partner contributions go into a pooled fund.  Cleveland SVP is like a mutual fund investment for a Partner, not an investment in an individual organization.  Partners who are interested in supporting the work of a particular investee will be invited to provide volunteer services.  Of course, they may contribute additional funds to investees on their own.

• Can I pay for Cleveland SVP Partnership with something other than cash?

Yes, you can use corporate matching funds and stock transfers.

• Do Partners continue as members for more than two years?

To date, approximately 85% to 90% of Cleveland SVP Partners have re-committed to renew their membership in succeeding years.

• Your mission statement talks about "developing philanthropy and volunteerism." What does that mean?

Cleveland SVP also has an ongoing curriculum of workshops, seminars, and resources for its Partners, addressing personal philanthropy, social entrepreneurism, and social issues. All events are listed on our home page.