Two weeks ago I attended the Social Venture Partners conference in Austin TX. SVP is based in Seattle and works in many settings around the world – but oddly not New York City! That’s another story and if I can, I’m going to try and help them re-start here. SVP details are at www.socialventurepartners.org, a smooth, informative website.

The SVP model is basically a giving club in which  like-minded folks in a common locality come together to  pool funds, check out area charities (“invests” in SVP-speak) and offers hands-on help to the charities (mostly human services) they select and the charities agree to participate in the SVP protocol. The charity really has to decide if the game is worth the candle.

From what I could tell the charities are modest-sized. The SVP folk are successful entrepreneur types; most are youngish, i.e, 40s, 50s and 60s. The $5000 initial investment per partner is modest – less than $14 a day –  and within reach if the resolve is there. SVP is dynamically led  by Ruth Jones. I think she is originally Australian. She is persuasive and makes you feel you’re the  one who matters – a lovely gift.

FFM/C is  interested  in helping  onpooled giving , especially for the hordes of young people in NY many of whom are making a ton of  money and who like to do stuff in groups whether it’s drink beer, do anything ending in “-thon” or Uber around town.

But I also add this is  not for everyone. Some folks who are thinking about legacy will still want to set up their own family foundation, donor advised fund or other giving form. Whatever: pooled giving, family foundation, donor advised fund or charitable trust there is a way that’s right for virtually any situation.

By all means take a look at SVP. And us.