Silicon Valley Talent Partnership

Joint Venture’s Silicon Valley Talent Partnership (SVTP) engages highly-skilled corporate talent to conduct pro bono projects that benefit the community. We want to create a stronger, healthier, happier, and more equitable Silicon Valley that convenes all sectors in regional problem-solving. The issues we face are not simply “public sector” or “private sector” issues; they are community issues. We can all play a part in finding successful solutions.

Are you a nonprofit organization with a challenging project that will move your work forward?

Are you part of a company that is looking for meaningful opportunities for employees?

Make a difference. Partner with SVTP.

What are we doing?

We connect corporate experts to projects that help bring about measurable change in education, workforce development, housing/homelessness, and beyond. SVTP utilizes pro bono best-practices and knowledge of the region to support the partnership at every step along the way: scoping, recruitment, training, project management, and evaluation.

The SVTP team also brings years of experience to help guide Silicon Valley companies in the development of high-quality internal pro bono programs, pro bono “sprint” events, and executive mentorship matching.

Why are we doing it?

Silicon Valley is a region like no other. It faces many complex issues – from affordable housing and homelessness to economic inequalities. It’s also home to some of the most innovative companies in the world, who are increasingly exploring meaningful ways to engage impact-minded employees beyond traditional volunteerism. To effectively address these challenges, we must work together. SVTP bridges the gap to make an impact.

Who’s involved?

Joint Venture Board Champion: Dan Boxwell, Accenture

Through its work, the Silicon Valley Talent Partnership includes a broad range of regional stakeholders in the corporate, nonprofit, and public sectors. Ashley Raggio is the Executive Director of the Silicon Valley Talent Partnership Initiative.

SVTP also engages pro bono professionals to continue to strengthen our model and allow us to scale our work:

A seasoned financial modeling consultant created a detailed financial model and budget for SVTP to help understand where we are able to scale our efforts and improve the sustainability of our programs.
A strategic planning consultant worked with the SVTP team to help transition leadership and identify areas of focus for the coming year.

What are the latest developments?

Silicon Valley Talent Partnership is currently:

June-December 2020 - Working with the Silicon Valley Council of Nonprofits and the Knight Foundation of San Jose on a project to develop a community-centered support system for nonprofits in response to the COVID-19 crisis. Will be hosting our first focus group session August 26, 2020.
August 2020 - Scoping new projects for SV@Home.

What are the next steps?

SVTP has a pipeline of potential projects in response to the COVID-19 crisis. We are supporting organizations to scope projects that will shift their programs in a new virtual environment.

SVTP is continuing to develop a new professional development network for Silicon Valley corporate social responsibility (CSR) professionals who manage pro bono programs within their organization. We are developing the best model to meet the needs of this growing group and will meet at the end of 2020.

Project examples

Housing/Homelessness

Marketing experts from Adobe designed and developed a marketing plan for San Mateo County’s Home for All initiative to encourage more homeowners to build second units, sometimes called granny units or accessory dwelling units.

Education

Consultants from EY-Parthenon developed a strategic roadmap to inform the planning process for San Jose Promise, a San Jose Mayor’s Office-led initiative to provide seamless pathways to and through college and on to career success with Silicon Valley employers.

Workforce Development

Talent recruitment experts from LinkedIn helped work2future’s job centers better identify and source job seekers who will benefit most from their mandate to promote sector-specific careers and pathways to economic self-sufficiency.