Lauren Harper launched the Miami location of Social Venture Partners, a global network of venture philanthropists who provide grants, mentoring and other services to social enterprises in their local communities.
Harper, a former lawyer, wants to help social ventures in south Florida by finding ways for them to increase revenue in non-traditional ways. After unveiling the Miami unit in March, she began working with the Overtown Youth Center to strengthen a barbershop program that mentors inner-city youth. Now, Harper is seeking proposals from additional non-profits. Social Venture Partners will offer at least $100,000 and three years of support services to one non-profit starting later this year and likely to another two or three starting next year.
Social Venture Partners, which began in 1997 in Seattle, now has more than 40 affiliates in nine countries.