SVPLA Accelerator 2017 Seeking L.A. s most innovative emerging nonprofits tackling the root cause of pressing social problems in Los Angeles. ABOUT THE ACCELERATOR Social Venture Partners Los Angeles (SVPLA) is excited to launch a new program designed to accelerate the growth and impact of a cohort of systems change nonprofits in Los Angeles County. We define systems change as work that tackles the root causes of pressing social problems. As distinct from direct service work, systems change programs address underlying inequitable structures by shifting policies, processes, resources, and power structures. We see an opportunity to create exponential positive change in Los Angeles through this focus on root causes, and we aim to channel the unique skills, networks, and expertise of the cohort and our SVP Partners (our donor volunteers with deep experience in private sector, government, and nonprofit leadership) in support of these endeavors. The Accelerator is a fast-paced, intensive program for 3-5 nonprofit organizations in the early stages of a systems change initiative. The program blends workshops, coaching, peer learning, and 1:1 mentoring to support nonprofit leaders in strengthening infrastructure and program design, increasing relationships and resources, honing and amplify their voice, and integrating core values of equity and innovation. We ve found these foundational elements uniquely accelerate an organization s ability to create systemic community impact. The program will run from October 2017 to June 2018, and will include participation in SVP s signature Fast Pitch Program and event. All participating organizations will receive an unrestricted seed grant of $10,000 and will be eligible for additional cash prizes through the Fast Pitch portion of the program. The Accelerator will be divided into three phases: Phase I: Design/Infrastructure (October-December 2017): To focus on aspects of design and organizational infrastructure, based on the interests and needs of the cohort. May include sessions on human-centered design, equity, and operations. Phase II: Fast Pitch (January-March 2018): To focus on honing an inspiring 3-minute pitch with the support of two coaches per organization, culminating in a 600-person event in March. Phase III: Network/Capital Building (April-June 2018): To include support around financial sustainability, managing growth, connections to funders and other influential leaders. SVPLA believes that diversity creates a rich learning environment, and we seek to build a cohort of leaders that reflects the diversity of race, ethnicity, gender expression, age, ability, and sexual orientation here in Los Angeles.
ABOUT SOCIAL VENTURE PARTNERS Social Venture Partners builds powerful relationships among people who want to create positive change in their communities and the nonprofits that make that change possible. We are a diverse group of individual donors ( Partners ) business people, entrepreneurs and nonprofit leaders who combine our skills, resources and networks to help amplify and grow nonprofit impact. SVP Los Angeles is a member of the international Social Venture Partners network of more than 3,500 engaged philanthropists in 40 cities globally. For more information, visit www.svpla.org. Application Guide ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION Organizations must meet the below criteria in order to apply for the Accelerator: Nonprofit organization Applicants must have a designation from the IRS as a 501(c)3 organization or proof of fiscal sponsorship. Location We have a strong preference for LA-based organizations. If you are a part of a national organization or are headquartered elsewhere, you are still invited to apply. Be sure to tell us how your program significantly impacts LA County. Systems Change Focus - Applicant s organization or initiative must have a systems change focus, seeking to address the root cause of an identified social issue. We are looking for organizations that are working to alter the status quo by transforming systems, and rethinking the boundaries of what is possible. Systems can include policies, routines, relationships, resources, power structures, and values. Early Stage Endeavors - The program must be in the early stages of growth and development, but must have some proof of concept. Larger, established organizations may apply to the program only if their participation in the Accelerator would focus on a new, innovative program being developed or implemented by their organization. Organization Representative The individual participating in the Accelerator on behalf of their organization must hold the title of Executive Director, CEO, Founder, Chief Program Officer, or equivalent senior-level position with significant organizational decision-making responsibility, and should have at least six months of tenure with the organization. Participants should work or live in LA County in order to utilize the coaching resources available. We will also invite additional organizational leaders to participate in some of the workshops. Organization Size, Years in Operation There are no restrictions on organizational budget, staffing, or age. Program Cost There is no fee to participate in the program. Participants will spend approximately 4-5 hours a week over the course of the 9-month program. SVPLA Fast Pitch Alumni Fast Pitch semifinalists (those who did not present on stage) are eligible to apply. Fast Pitch finalists (those who presented on stage) are not eligible for this program. 2 of 7
SELECTION CRITERIA A team of SVP Partners will prioritize applicants that demonstrate strength in each of the following: Social Problem The program/initiative addresses the root of a pressing social problem in L.A. and demonstrates a deep understanding of the problem. Innovation The approach to solving the social problem has unique potential for impact. The innovation seeks to address systemic issues that lead to more significant long-term results than more conventional models or practices. Openness to Learning & Sharing The leader applying for the program demonstrates a thoughtful approach to the work, a proximity to the challenge they re addressing, and a willingness to learn, share, and grow their leadership and organizational impact. PROGRAM PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS We are looking for participants who will be deeply committed to the Accelerator process during the program timeline (October 2017 - June 2018). Accelerator participants must participate in two half-day, in-person workshops/cohort sessions each month over the course of the nine months. We anticipate that participants will need to spend an additional four hours on Accelerator-related work in weeks when the group is not meeting. Participants embrace a culture of learning in a feedback-rich environment, ready to receive and provide feedback to/from peers, coaches and mentors. HOW TO APPLY Submit the online application, which can be found here. Applications must be submitted through our website by Wednesday, September 6, 2017 at 5:00pm PST. We will notify you by email when we have received your application and will let you know if you ve been selected into the program by Friday, September 29, 2017. We may request participation in follow-up conversations/activities prior to our final selection. If you are accepted, you will be required to submit proof of tax-exempt status or fiscal sponsorship by no later than Friday, October 6, 2017, and cohort sessions will begin in mid-october. QUESTIONS? Join us for an informational webinar* on Monday August 14, 2017 at 3:00pm PST, to learn more about the Accelerator and how to apply. SVPLA staff will be available to answer any questions during a question and answer session following the presentation. To register your participation and receive dial-in details, please email: rsvp@lasvp.org. * Webinar participation is not required. We also encourage you to call or email if you have questions about eligibility, program participation requirements, or the application. CONTACT: Sharon Stratton, Social Venture Partners Email: sstratton@svpla.org Phone: 310.305.1761 3 of 7
2017 SVPLA ACCELERATOR APPLICATION The following questions will help us get to know you and your organization. We do not expect you to have all aspects of your program/initiative set in stone, and in fact we are eager to work with organizations that are open to expanding their perspective and growing their impact. We seek to understand how you approach your work and how you re looking to grow as an organization and a leader. SECTION 1: THE PROBLEM A. What social issue are you trying to address? Please describe the extent of the problem in Los Angeles (use data to support this description), your view on the cause(s) of the problem and why it has persisted, and how your organization arrived at this perspective. (250 words) SECTION 2: YOUR INITIATIVE/APPROACH A. Describe the initiative within your organization that seeks to resolve this problem. See Exhibit A for a visual from the team at the Equity Design Collaborative. Please describe at what level of intervention you hope to impact the problem: internalized/interpersonal, institutional, systemic, and/or ideological. How did you arrive at this approach? (500 words) B. How do you define equity? How does your initiative approach creating systemic change and increasing equity in Los Angeles County? (250 words) C. How do you measure success (e.g. data you capture, tools you use)? What are your results to date and what do you expect to accomplish over the next three years? (150 words) D. Describe your leadership team (including yourself) and Board of Directors. What lived experiences make your team uniquely qualified to tackle this problem? (250 words) E. If you are selected for the Accelerator, what is true of your organization/initiative after 9 months in the program that is not true today? (150 words) F. How many staff work full time on this initiative? G. When did this initiative begin? H. FOR THIS INITIATIVE: Current fiscal year (2017 or 2017-2018) expected revenue: I. FOR THIS INITIATIVE: Current fiscal year (2017 or 2017-2018) expected expenses: SECTION 3: ORGANIZATION INFORMATION A. Organization Name: B. Website: C. Tax ID#: 4 of 7
D. Address: E. Org Headquarters (City, State): F. What year did your organization begin operating? G. Mission Statement H. What is your organization s primary issue area focus? Check one: Racial Equity, Criminal Justice, Education, Environment, Reproductive Rights, Affordable Housing, Health, Homelessness, Economic Justice, Immigration, LGBT Rights, Other (describe) I. Total # of Full Time employees: J. Total # of Part Time employees: K. # of Full Time employees in Los Angeles County: L. # of Part Time employees in Los Angeles County: M. Organization current fiscal year (2017 or 2017-2018) expected revenue: N. Organization current fiscal year (2017 or 2017-2018) expected expenses: SECTION 4: APPLICANT INFORMATION This is the individual who will participant on behalf of their organization in the Accelerator program. See Eligibility Information for additional information. A. Name: B. Title: C. # of Years with Organization: D. # of Years in Current Position: E. Daytime Phone Number: F. Cell Phone Number: G. Email Address: H. What is your primary language? I. Gender: J. Race/Ethnicity (check all that apply): a. White/Caucasian b. Asian/Asian-American c. Black/African-American d. Latino e. Native American/Alaskan Native f. Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander K. Do you identify as LGBTQ? L. What age range are you in? a. 18-30 b. 31-40 c. 41-50 d. 51-60 e. 61-70 f. 71+ 5 of 7
M. Describe an instance where you received challenging feedback. How did you handle it? (150 words) N. How do you hope to grow as a leader through participating in the Accelerator? If the participant is not the Executive Director/CEO, please explain why. (150 words) O. Do you currently work on this project full time? (Y /N) P. If not, please share the barriers you are experiencing to working on it full time? (150 words) Q. The goals of the Accelerator for nonprofit participants are to strengthen infrastructure, increase network relationships, amplify your voice, and increase funding. What barriers do you currently experience in reaching those goals? (150 words) R. Below are some workshop topics we are considering (please indicate which 5 topics would be most valuable to you and your organization): a. Human-Centered Design/Design Thinking A creative approach to problem solving that begins with the people you re designing for, and ends with innovative solutions or resources that are tailor made to suit their needs. b. Racial Equity Acknowledging how current systems perpetuate racial inequities, while learning how to provide fair and just access to resources and opportunities. How to design programs and build organizations through a racial equity lens. c. Nonprofit Sustainability Developing a sustainable business model, focussing on earned income promodels. d. Return On Investment (ROI)/Impact Measurement Defining your impact, and practical tools for how to measure it. e. Financial Storytelling (communicating real cost of program to funders) Using storytelling techniques to communicate your impact data, in order to increase funding prospects. f. Best in Class leadership practices Responsibility, accountability, and authenticity in leading your nonprofit. g. Strengthening your systems change work Deeply understanding the systems you work in, developing a systems change mindset, and identifying the right tools, resources, and approach for the issue. h. Networking to build relationships How to support collaboration, identify players locally and statewide to help further your efforts, and grow funding. i. Messaging/pitch training Honing your pitch to compellingly communicate your mission and vision. j. Volunteer sustainability Recruiting, managing and retaining volunteers. k. Governance / Strengthening Board of Directors The importance of a Board; Board member recruitment, engagement and management. l. Other 6 of 7
m. Other S. How did you hear about the Accelerator Program? T. If you are not chosen to participate in the Accelerator this year, would you like to be considered for our Fast Pitch program, which runs January - March 2018? (Y / N). APPENDIX A 7 of 7