Taproot Foundation to Award More than $1 Million in Service Grants in 2003
involveX Joins Taproot Foundation, Enhancing Capacity and Leadership
SAN FRANCISCO, CA, October 1, 2002 - The Taproot Foundation, an innovative grant maker focused on building the institutional capacity of nonprofit organizations, today announced the acquisition of involveX, a Bay Area volunteer and donor education organization. The addition of involveX will enable the Taproot Foundation to make more than $1 million in Service Grants to Bay Area organizations in 2003.
The Taproot Foundation provides nonprofit organizations with grants of capacity building services that are staffed and managed by skilled professionals from the business community. The Foundation currently provides seven types of marketing and technology Service Grants, including web site development, brochure creation and branding/identity definition. Each Service Grant consists of a set of specific deliverables and is typically completed in less than sixteen weeks by volunteers donating five hours a week.
“By joining forces with involveX we greatly increase our grant making capacity in the Bay Area,” said Aaron Hurst, President and Founder of the Taproot Foundation. “We have seen strong demand for our Service Grants in the Bay Area, with over 90 nonprofits applying for grants in 2002. By teaming with involveX we will be able to meet the needs of an increasing number of these critical nonprofit organizations and engage more professionals in the community.”
With the acquisition of involveX, the Taproot Foundation’s membership will expand to more than 3,000 professionals, and involveX's founders will become members of the Taproot Foundation leadership team. involveX Executive Director Abigail Ochs Frederick will become the Taproot Foundation’s Nonprofit Director. Simon Baker, a founding member of Social Venture Partners San Francisco as well as involveX, will join the Taproot Foundation’s Board of Directors. The involveX name will be retained to brand the Taproot Foundation’s outreach, education and training programs.
“By joining the Taproot Foundation, we are able to offer our members an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the community,” said Ms. Frederick. “In the past three years, involveX has helped hundreds of professionals volunteer and give back to the Bay Area. These professionals are increasingly looking for ways to become more deeply involved in supporting the nonprofit sector and making a measurable impact. The Taproot Foundation has designed a unique model that directly addresses these needs.”
In addition to providing Service Grants, the Taproot Foundation offers community education programs to volunteers and organizes community-based activities, including monthly tours of nonprofit organizations and the neighborhoods they support. The Foundation also offers skills development seminars on project management, marketing and technology to nonprofit and business professionals.
About the Taproot Foundation
The Taproot Foundation is an innovative new foundation that provides nonprofits with grants of capacity building services. The Foundation’s Service Grant model, which is currently being piloted in the San Francisco Bay Area, serves organizations focused on the environment, education, community development and health by providing marketing and technology services. The Taproot Foundation was founded in 2001 by a leadership team that includes executives with experience at the Bridgespan Group, Peninsula Community Foundation, Business for Social Responsibility and Landor & Associates. For more information, please visit: http://www.taprootfoundation.org.
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