Charity Village�NewsWeek: Cover Story-The SVP model: Investing in Canada's social economy

Charity Village�NewsWeek: Cover Story: "The SVP model: Investing in Canada's social economy
August 15, 2005
By Andy Levy-Ajzenkopf

Social venture partner groups, or SVPs, are a fresh face on the Canadian philanthropy landscape. Often unnoticed by the public, social venture partners are trying to reshape the way Canadians address social needs. A combination of innovators and forward-thinkers, SVPs apply more permanent solutions to longstanding problems. Though they struggle to gain acceptance for their plans, they persevere to improve every Canadian's life.
Creating a viable economic future
One such group is British Columbia-based Renewal Partners (RP), a seed capital company that invests in for-profit, socially conscious businesses in BC. RP supplies tools such as early investing, professional mentoring, and networking to businesses promoting conservation and other socially responsible activities. Their mission statement says that, 'profitable enterprises with maximized social good are a necessary formula for a viable economic future.'"