SVCN congratulations on your success getting service funding restored during a difficult budget process. We should be thanking you for the terrific work you (and all the others working with you) did to get funding for our safety net services restored. On behalf of HIP's residents, who rely on many of those safety net services, thank you!
Kristie Kesel  

Congratulations, you really did a great job getting the word out about the county budget.  Looking forward to the days when we have enough $ to add back...
Mike Potter, Assembly Coto Office

Thank you for your leadership in this budget process!!!
Miguel Valencia, Ph.D Gardner Health

THANK YOU for your leadership on our UWSV funding changes. I have been impressed by the thoughtfulness in which you and your board have guided your membership on a critical community issue regarding UW. Many thanks for the professional way you have handled a delicate situation. Keep it up.
Mark L. Walker, President & CEO UWSV

SVCN Influences Public Policy
SVCN is the only organization in Silicon Valley positioned to bring agencies together to focus on government funding cuts that impact nonprofit services and ultimately the clients we serve.

SVCN provides information to our members on legislative trends and impacts at the city, county and state levels through e-mail bulletins. We provide communication on critical issues related to the budget information.

SVCN has spoken at over 50 Board of Supervisor and City of San Jose hearings as well as been a presenter to foundation leaders on issues relevant to the sector.

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SVCN Collaborates with our Partners
Convenes foundation and nonprofit leaders to share information and provide updates on sector issues related to government cuts, public policy concerns and trends within our sector.

Participates with the California Association of Nonprofits on statewide nonprofit issues, legislative analysis, resources and information.

Coordinates with CEN and CompassPoint on efforts to promote sector issues for our community.

Resource for over 60 stories and 8 editorials with over 8 print and electronic media outlets on issues on the sector. Collaborates with SEUI to seek agreement on issues that will benefit our organizations and the clients they serve.

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SVCN champions changes with the City of San Jose
In June 2006, SVCN advocacy with the City of San Jose Healthy Neighborhood Venture Fund (HNVF) resulted in $ 385,000 in funding redistribution to existing HNVF agencies. Existing agencies were scheduled for a 28% cut in funding but through our advocacy the cut was reduced to 13%, 7 programs were brought up to a $25,000 minimum funding level, and 8 new programs were capped at $25,000.

SVCN continued strong monitoring and involvement to ensure a public process for the Healthy Neighborhood Venture Fund. We worked with City staff to encourage substantive changes in the City contracting and RFP process, and the utilization of a rating system.

We work in the following areas of influence with the City of San Jose: Healthy Neighorbood Venture Fund, Community Center ReUse Strategy, and various programs that are monitored through the PRNS Department.

SVCN played a significant role in the development of the City Lobbying and Ethics Ordinance resulting in major revisions that meant few if any our nonprofit members will be impacted by the ordinance.

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