Minutes, Milestones, and Memories: Celebrating 25 Years of SVP Vancouver

On May 19, 2026, more than 110 eager guests gathered together at the Stanley Park Rowing Club for SVP Vancouver’s Annual General Meeting and to celebrate SVP’s 25 years of growing impact in our community through our “money plus time” model. 

It was one of our most attended events yet, bringing together donors, investees and dedicated partners who’ve been part of the SVP community for as long as 25 years (since the very beginning!) and as recent as just 25 hours. 

The evening was a beautiful celebration of stewardship, connection and gratitude. Some of the main highlights of the evening included:

• A Toast to Our Roots: We shared a wonderful toast to our SVP Founding Partners as well as the community of impact we’ve built through 25 years and counting. We also had the chance to share a Social Venture Partners International founding partner video [Link to SVPI Founding Partner Video] looking back at where it all began.
• Welcoming New Leadership: We officially welcomed Lisa Yeates and Neil Duke to the SVP Board of Directors.
• Intergenerational Giving: We honored the inspiring legacy of families giving together, recognizing the Klopfers, Yeates’, Francis’, Fletchers, Louis’, Dukes, Safnuks’, Varshneys, and Spencer-Gales.
• Distinguished Partners: We recognized three partners who were awarded the Distinguished Partner Award: Nicole Geyer, Paul Geyer, and Greg Sullivan. 

Not satisfied with simply celebrating our history, we actually made some by completing the official AGM and voting in just seven minutes!

Celebrating the SVP Effect

Our unique venture philanthropy model of combining money and time continues to nurture strong roots for lasting change. In our Directors’ Report, we looked back at what our collective stewardship achieved in 2025 (see the full SVP Annual Report):

• $1.2M invested in B.C.’s children and youth through SVP’s money and time.
• 84,000+ children, youth, and families supported.
• 485 hours of strategic SVP Partner expertise contributed across 94 capacity-building projects.
• 70 non-profit leaders strengthened through our programming and partnership.
• 10 Investees successfully expanded the reach of their vital programs.

We also highlighted a real world example of the SVP impact with the Take a Hike Youth Foundation. Back in 2004, they were serving 20 youth in one community on a $250K budget. Today, through sustained partnership, they are serving 320 youth across 16 communities on a $6.2M budget, with 95% of alumni reporting improved mental health!

Clare Zeschky, Executive Director of the Pacific Post Partum Support Society (PPPSS), also presented and shared a moving story about what SVP’s support and funding has enabled for parents like Andrea: “When my son was almost one and I was still finding motherhood overwhelming, I contacted Pacific Post Partum Support Society. That phone call changed my life.”

“Much like the parents we support we now have a partner walking alongside us, holding space for us, and allowing us to take ownership and accountability in our own journey. We are so excited for the next few years to see…how we can bring valuable peer support to so many more parents who need and deserve it. There is an old cliché about how raising a child takes a village—we are so grateful and honoured to have SVP as part of our village supporting new and expecting parents”

— Clare Zeschky, Executive Director, PPPSS

Gratitude

A milestone like a 25^th anniversary is only possible because of the people who have given so generously of their time, treasure, talent, and ties. This year, we extend our most heartfelt gratitude to:

• SVP’s Founding Partners: For their incredible vision 25 years ago.
• David Sutcliffe: SVP Founding Partner, past Board Chair and Distinguished Partner for giving the toast to SVP’s community and its 25 years of impact. 
• LDS—Learn. Develop. Succeed.: For joining us with a presentation table and answering questions about their work throughout the evening, and for their example of the SVP Effect in action.
• PowerPlay Young Entrepreneurs: Who showcased the skills, creativity and innovation they foster through two driven program participants who showcased their business at a presentation table during the first portion of the evening’s program. 
• The Legacy of Dr. Donald Rix and his Family: For their contributions in setting up the Dr. Donald Rix Endowment in 2007, now worth almost $2M
• Ken Spencer, Judy Gale and the SpencerCreo Foundation: For their generosity and long term support of SVP and so many organizations in our community.

Looking Ahead

We’re so proud to have helped reach over 84,000 children, youth, and families in 2025, and now we’re thinking big about the next five years. Bigger reach, bigger effect, more lives changed. 

The 25^th anniversary celebrations aren’t over yet! Be sure to mark your calendars for these upcoming events:

• Tuesday, September 15^th (4:30 PM @ VIFF Center): In Good Company with Paul and Nicole Geyer.
• Thursday, October 15^th (12:00 PM @ IPOP Burnaby): The SVP Vancouver Impact Open Pickleball Invitational.
• Celebrating 25 Years of Venture Philanthropy: Nov/Dec (Location TBD)

Thank you to everyone who joined us, voted, volunteered and raised a glass to celebrate 25 years of community impact.