I’ve been raising money for a long time. While I’m extremely grateful for the $3+ million I’ve raised over the last 11 years, I often wonder if there aren’t more engaging philanthropic alternatives from the traditional foundation.

 

I’m happy to report I’ve found one in Los Angeles: Los Angeles Social Venture Partners (LASVP). Rather than depending on one large donation at the start like most foundations, LASVP has a venture philanthropy approach where participants pool their money together, jointly decide what entrepreneurial nonprofit organizations they want to support, and then engage those partners in a working relationship to strengthen the nonprofits they invest in.

 

I’m excited to now be a part of LASVP as a David Rimer Fellow and will work closely with one of the LASVP grantees, KIPP Charter School.   Having worked for a charter school in Harlem, NYC, I’m looking forward to getting more engaged with this charter school here in LA. Through this experience, I expect not only to provide needed resources to KIPP, but also learn through the process as I collaborate with other LASVP partners on this project.