Margaret and Harrison Marshall Share SVP Charlotte’s History
Happy 19th Anniversary to our talented and generous SVP Partners! Since our founding in May 2005, Social Venture Partners (SVP) Charlotte has undergone a remarkable evolution, originally founded by a core group of friends who sought new ways to engage with and serve our community. What began as a novel approach to philanthropy has grown into a dynamic force for social change, driven by a commitment to collaboration, innovation, and impact. Executive Director Kristin Winkle Beck sat down with Margaret and Harrison Marshall, two of the founding 24 SVP Partners, to reflect on their journey with SVP.
The Marshalls shared that a core group of friends, who had long been involved in fundraising and events together, were intrigued by the newly introduced concept of venture philanthropy, which applied the concept of venture capital to nonprofits. They loved the idea of going beyond giving money, by also giving their expertise and time to support these organizations in scaling their impact. The early years were marked by experimentation and learning. They understood that it would take time, persistence, and a willingness to adapt in order to support nonprofits in achieving their goals.
In those early years, SVP focused on just two or three investees at a time. Since the number of partners had grown, SVP had the human capital to serve more members of the nonprofit community, and SVP began looking for ways to put our collective talent to work. The SVP partners learned that some other SVP organizations were organizing fast-pitch competitions. Some of the SVP Partners, along with our first Executive Director Susan Daniel, went to other cities to observe the competitions. They came back excited and determined to try it here.
The first organizing group consisting of Susan, Debbie Darden, Steve Sellers, and Harrison recruited 40 coaches, selected 20 nonprofit leaders, and began the training. The first SEED20 OnStage event was held in 2012. Harrison shared that one of his favorite and most pivotal moments in SVP Charlotte’s evolution came right after first SEED20 OnStage event in 2012 when he realized that the event had been a huge success! The auditorium was sold out, the nonprofits put on outstanding performances, and the audience was thrilled. Fueled by the dedication of those core partners, SEED20 has showcased over 200 innovative nonprofits, while educating and connecting the community to solutions addressing social challenges.
As the organization grew, so too did our impact. With over $1.8 Million total dollars granted into our investee program, success stories like HeartMath Tutoring and ourBRIDGE for Kids continue to serve as inspiration for Margaret and Harrison, demonstrating the power of collaboration and strategic investment in driving positive change. Early projects like the East Meck All-Star Teacher Initiative gave Margaret an opportunity to support those teachers on the frontlines of education, an issue near and dear to her heart.
Over the years, SVP Charlotte has continued to evolve in response to changing needs and circumstances. The addition of Spark teams and the Corporate Partner in 2020 reflects a commitment to harnessing talent and partner expertise beyond grant dollars and the SEED20 stage to address critical community needs, especially during a dynamic time like COVID-19. SVP Partners have remained resilient and generous, finding new ways to put their expertise to work and support those organizations on the frontlines of helping those in need.
Looking ahead, the future of SVP Charlotte is filled with promise and possibility. With a growing network of partners and a deepening commitment to social impact, the organization is poised to make an even greater difference in the years to come.
