VENTURE VAN

Venture Van tours offer Silicon Valley Community Foundation donors mobile learning journeys. The primary purpose of these journeys is to explore issues of regional concern and see first hand how model programs work to address regional challenges. Venture Van offers donors a unique opportunity to think about their resources - money, time, connections and expertise – and how to use them to help promote solutions to regional problems.

Since its inception in 1999, the Venture Van has featured 70 nonprofit organizations, 13 governmental agencies and three good corporate citizens on 37 tours to sites in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. Over 250 people have come together to learn about regional issues that affect the quality of life for our residents.

To register for either one of our upcoming fall 2008 tours, or if you have questions, please contact Heather Saito Lastra at hslastra@siliconvalleycf.org or 650.450.5531.

Organizations we have learned about include

• Belle Haven Elementary School, East Menlo Park
• Edgewood Center for Children and Youth, San Carlos
• Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve, Woodside
• National Hispanic University, San José
• San Mateo County Human Services Agency, San Mateo
• TheatreWorks, Palo Alto

Topics we have explored include

• Art in schools
• Child abuse and neglect
• Developing affordable housing
• Girls in the juvenile justice system
• San Francisco Bay ecology
• Supporting excellence in teaching
• Watershed challenges

How it Works

Venture Van tours focus on learning and encourage lively discourse. Organizations do not actively fundraise during the tour or have access to participants' contact information.

On each tour, donors meet like-minded people who are interested in advancing nonprofits that enrich and serve our communities. They also meet community leaders who are improving the lives of local residents.

The tours are generally about two hours long and may include additional time for discussions with subject-matter experts or opportunities for participants to work together to examine ways to make a difference.

Upcoming Tour Schedule

Oct. 8, 2008, 8:30 a.m. – noon
(This tour starts from and returns to the community foundation’s San Mateo office.)

Kids in the Eye of the Economic Storm
During this tour we will learn and talk about the forces that have combined to create an economic situation that is harming San Mateo County’s youngest residents. Nonprofit, state, county and city leaders will bring their perspectives on this issue. We will visit the Second Harvest Food Bank and the Fair Oaks Community Center to gain first-hand knowledge of the economic effects on children and examine the most powerful ways that individual philanthropists can help alleviate problems.

Nov. 18, 2008 9 a.m. – noon
(This tour starts from and returns to the community foundation's Mountain View headquarters.)

Immigration: The Shared Experience
In Santa Clara County, immigrants and their U.S.-born children constitute 60% of the county’s population. What does the face of immigration look like in our region? How will we all relate and work together toward a better society? During this tour we will talk with experts and each other about the immigration experience and challenges. We will journey to Catholic Charities in San José to see the superb work being done there and talk with clients about their recent experiences and their hopes for our community.