SVCF Philanthropy Now Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Philanthropy Now podcast: Strengthening American-Muslim relations with philanthropy and civic engagement Apr 21, 2021

Show notes

In 2013, the One Nation Bay Area Project—a collaborative funded by Silicon Valley Community Foundation, The San Francisco Foundation, Marin Community Foundation and Asian American/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy—released a benchmark report called The Bay Area Muslim Study. In partnership with the One Nation Foundation and research support from The Institute for Social Policy and Understanding, the study came after a two-year effort created to support American Muslims and non-Muslim allies working to enhance civic engagement in the Bay Area Muslim Community and to strengthen the relationships between American-Muslims and non-Muslim community partners.

In this episode, SVCF Director of Community-Building Mauricio speaks with Zahra Billoo, SVCF Community Advisory Council member and Executive Director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, to reflect on the changes in the Bay Area American-Muslim community since the study was published, and the most pressing issues we face today.

In SVCF's Philanthropy Now podcast series, we explore trends in the world of philanthropy, social impact initiatives in Silicon Valley and beyond, and we look at how SVCF promotes innovative philanthropic solutions to challenging problems.

What you will learn:

Zahra's personal journey to becoming a civil rights leader
The inception of the Bay Area Muslim Study is and what has changed in the last decade
The most pressing issues in the American-Muslim community today and how CAIR addresses these challenges
Recommendations for foundations, philanthropists, and American-Muslim nonprofit leaders

Resources from this episode:

Zahra Billoo, Executive Director, Council on American-Islamic Relations of the SF Bay Area
Mauricio Palma, Director of Community-Building, SVCF
The Bay Area Muslim Study: Establishing Identity and Community, the OneNation Bay Area Project 2013 benchmark report
Ground Breaking Study on Bay Area Muslim Community, highlights from Northern California Grantmakers
Learn more about SVCF's Community Advisory Council

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Philanthropy Now podcast: SVCF's Early Childhood Development strategy seeks to address systemic disparities Apr 07, 2021

Show notes

SVCF's Early Childhood Development (ECD) Strategic Initiative is comprised of three prongs: catalyzing philanthropic investment, activating leadership and supporting learn and action in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. In this episode, SVCF Executive Vice President for Community Action, Policy and Strategy Gina Dalma is joined by SVCF Director of Early Childhood Development Christine Thorsteinson, along with Executive Director for Build Up for San Mateo County's Children (Build Up SMC) Christine Padilla. The three leaders discuss how early childhood development is an impact area intertwined with issues of race, equity, and social justice. Listen to learn more about SVCF's multi-pronged approach to dismantling systemic barriers and working to ensure all children and their families have access to the care, education and resources they need to flourish.

Access the full show notes at siliconvalleycf.org

Philanthropy Now podcast: The ¡Sí Se Puede! Collective builds power in East San Jose Mar 24, 2021

Show notes

Based in East San Jose, the ¡Sí Se Puede! Collective is made up of five community-based organizations: SOMOS Mayfair, Amigos de Guadalupe, School of Art and Culture at MHP, Veggielution, and Grail Family Services. In this episode, SVCF's Director of Community-Building, Mauricio Palma, is joined by three executive directors from the collective: Camille Llanes-Fontanilla, an SVCF Community Advisory Council member from SOMOS Mayfair, Cayce Hill from Veggielution, and Maritza Maldonado from Amigos de Guadalupe. These local leaders contributed to the ¡Sí Se Puede! Collective impact model, designed to build community power, advance justice and stand in solidarity with those working to dismantle oppressive systems. Listen to learn how the local community is transforming power relations in East San Jose.

Access the full show notes at siliconvalleycf.org

Philanthropy Now podcast: Navigating financial aid and SVCF scholarships during the pandemic Mar 10, 2021

Show notes

Pursuing a higher education presents financial challenges for many students, and the COVID-19 pandemic adds another layer of obstacles. In this episode, we hear directly from Christabel Soria Mendoza, a SVCF scholarship recipient and Cal Poly student navigating these complexities. Interviewed by SVCF Scholarship Officer Dean Taylor, Christabel describes the process of seeking financial aid and how her college experience has been impacted by COVID-19. Listen to learn more, including the resiliency and vulnerability required of students through the application process.

Access the full show notes at siliconvalleycf.org

Philanthropy Now Podcast: Lessons in philanthropy with SVCF's new board chair Wade W. Loo Feb 24, 2021

Show notes

Longtime SVCF board member Wade W. Loo was recently appointed to 2021 board chair. In this episode, Wade joins SVCF President and CEO Nicole Taylor in a discussion about his journey in Silicon Valley, from his roots to how he became involved with SVCF. As an SVCF fundholder, Wade shares his philosophy around philanthropy and what causes are most important to him. Listen to hear learnings from Wade's philanthropic journey, changes these leaders have seen in Silicon Valley in the last decade, the importance of centering our focus on equity and the local community and SVCF's plans for the year ahead.

Access the full show notes at siliconvalleycf.org

Philanthropy Now podcast: Domestic Violence Support During the Global Pandemic Jan 20, 2021

Show notes

As we continue to confront the devastating pandemic within our communities and globally, we view domestic violence as a parallel pandemic. Also known as intimate partner violence, domestic abuse is often hidden and overlooked, despite being experienced by one in four women, as well as one in four men.

This episode brings together three executive directors from leading domestic violence support organizations Esther Peralez-Dieckmann, Orchid Pusey, and Donna Garske in conversation with SVCF vice president of Community Action Manuel Santamaria. The four leaders shed light on how domestic abuse has skyrocketed during the pandemic, and discuss solutions and support for this costly, devastating, and often overlooked issue within the homes in our communities.

Access the full show notes at siliconvalleycf.org

Philanthropy Now podcast: Community leaders bring justice to housing Dec 30, 2020

Show notes

Welcome to the seventh episode in our mini-series featuring conversations focused on Racial Equity and Social Justice with the members of SVCF's Community Advisory Council. Listen to the previous episode in the mini-series here, and continue to subscribe to the podcast to hear future episodes.

Program Director of Land Use and Housing at Urban Habitat and SVCF Community Advisory Council member Tony Roshan Samara joins the podcast for a conversation focusing on "Just Recovery." In conversation with SVCF Director of Capacity Building Mauricio Palma, the two community leaders discuss this community action framework that requires a lens of equity and prioritizes those who are most affected by a crisis. Tony seeks to engage groups across sectors to use the Just Recovery framework as a tool to address systemic issues.

Access the full show notes at siliconvalleycf.org

Philanthropy Now podcast: A look back at 2020 with Nicole Taylor and Dan'l Lewin Dec 16, 2020

Show notes

To wrap up 2020, SVCF Board Chair and President and CEO of the Computer History Museum joins SVCF President and CEO Nicole Taylor on Philanthropy Now podcast for a look back at a year unlike any other. Listen to hear from Nicole and Dan'l about key issues that were elevated this year: COVID-19, racial justice, wildfires and the pivotal election. Amidst the multiple crises, our foundation adapted to meet the needs of community. These issues also reinforce SVCF's role as a catalyst for community change and help shape our foundation's work as we move into the new year.

Access the full show notes at siliconvalleycf.org

Philanthropy Now podcast: SVCF Scholarships tips and student resources Dec 02, 2020

Show notes

Finding and applying for an SVCF scholarship that best suits your needs isn't complicated. In this episode, SVCF scholarships officer Dean Taylor and scholarships associate Emiko Thompson walk listeners through an overview of SVCF's scholarship programs. Listen to learn about the available opportunities and receive helpful tips on applying for scholarships in 2020 and 2021.

Access the full show notes at siliconvalleycf.org

SVCF Philanthropy Now podcast: The Amah Mutsun Land Trust works on land restoration following the CZU Lightning Complex Fires Nov 18, 2020

Show notes

The Amah Mutsun Land Trust (AMLT) is a grantee of SVCF's San Mateo and Santa Clara County Wildfire Fund. AMLT President Valentin Lopez and AMLT Interim Executive Director Sara French join SVCF Philanthropy Now podcast to talk about their fire recovery efforts. In conversation with SVCF Family Engagement Manager Leticia Gonzalez, the episode takes listeners through the past, present and future of the Amah Mutsun people. Valentin and Sara share the Amah Mutsun's connection with protecting and sustaining the earth. They also highlight AMLT's work preserving the important ecological knowledge of their people and shed light on how they combine historical native wisdom with modern knowledge to develop and implement powerful environmental strategies.

Access the full show notes at siliconvalleycf.org