Applications for Spring ’23 Programs are now closed, though pro bono project requests are reviewed year-round. Summer programs will be announced soon! 

We make expert-led trainings accessible for social mission organizations that don’t have the resources to hire expert consultants or invest in expensive capacity-building programs. You’ll join a group of local impact organizations for online/in-person sessions that will help you level up in a fun, fast-paced program with proven results. Each cohort and workshop is facilitated by a subject matter expert and social impact organizations are matched with local professionals from SVP Denver’s Partner network who provide additional support and third-party feedback along the way. 

Create Your Theory of Change

9 Weeks  |  March – April 

Your Theory of Change that tells the story of who you serve, what you do and the impact you have. You will create a narrative and graphic of your Theory of Change that you can start using immediately with key stakeholders including potential funders, your Board of Directors and internal team. 

Make Your Pitch

9 Weeks  |  February – April

If you are working on raising money for your organization and want to improve the way you communicate about the impact you are creating, then this training is for you!

You will:

• Learn a simple framework for telling the story of your impact
• Get coaching support from SVP Denver Partners
• Walk away with a new, improved deck for presentations to prospective funders

Drive Your Strategy with Finance

6 Months  |  February – July, 2023 (Dates TBD)

Dig deep into your organization’s finances and learn how to use financial data in your strategic decision making. 

You will:

• Improve the way your organization tracks and uses financial data
• Work 1:1 with a coach to develop and implement a custom plan for your organization
• Walk away with a better understanding of your financial statements and key financial concepts

Evaluate your Impact

10 Weeks  |  Dates TBD

Develop an evaluation plan and associated processes that will help you better manage programs and improve their effectiveness. You’ll revisit your key learning questions and identify the key indicators you want to measure to achieve your goals. 

Jumpstart your Fundraising Plans 

10 Weeks  |  On-Demand learning, Live workshops, Peer Learning  | Dates TBD

Get expert advice from Foundation and Impact Investing insiders on how to build a list of prospective funders, understand what they are already investing in and how to craft a tailored pitch. This training will have a combination of pre-recorded lectures, suggested assignments and two live workshop sessions.

Build and Test your Earned Revenue Strategy

12 weeks | Training Cohort + Learning Group | Dates TBD

Get the tools and expert advice you need to design / refine an earned revenue program that drives income and impact. You’ll work on building your strategy, identifying customers and start to test your program in the real world.  

We combine our proven program strutcure with custom content created by our expert facilitators to maximize your learning. Each organization selects a “team lead” to keep you organized and ensure you make progress each week. To get the most out of the experience, expect to commit 3-5 hours per week and involve several people from your staff/Board. 

Organizations finish each cohort experience with final deliverables they can immediately put to use. Your team will also benefit from working and learning alongside peer community-led organizations; getting input from coaches and individualized feedback from the expert facilitator. 

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. Selected organizations will participate in a one-on-one virtual discussion to better understand your goals and fit for the program.

Organization Eligibility Criteria:

A. Nonprofit or For-Profit Impact Organization = your organization is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is operating under a fiscal agent or is a social venture (public benefit corporation).

B. Operating in the Denver Metro Region = you are located within and/or providing 51% or more of your services within Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, and/or Jefferson counties.

C. Mission and Impact = you understand how your services are meeting a clear community need.

D. Team Readiness = your staff/board will dedicate time to assessing current systems, strategizing their desired future state and work to get there on top of day-to-day operations.

E. <$4M in Revenue = we support impact organizations that don’t have the resources to pay for outside support.

F. Inclusiveness and Equity = your organization embodies values, policies and practices that ensure all stakeholders are engaged equitably.

If you have any questions, please send an email to hello@svpdenver.org and we will get back to you within a few business days.

What We Will Ask of You:

• A willingness to take a hard look at what’s holding your organization back, and share those weaknesses openly. After honest conversations, we can get to work – together.
• Flexibility and openness to working with our SVP Denver partners who have busy schedules, varied professional backgrounds and joined our organization to give back strategically to yours.
• A commitment to calling us out when something’s not working for you. This may be uncomfortable, but our best results come from honest relationships.
• Identification of the capacity-building areas you want to work on with us and how they relate to your mission.
• An openness to metrics/assessments throughout the process. We want to understand what impact our work together has so we can track our progress.