The Student Volunteer Foundation™ (SVF) is a tax-exempt nonprofit organization serving students and their communities. We act as a centralized funding agent for the creative and compassionate service ideas of students and student groups. Our goal is to direct a large majority of our funding to diverse and underserved populations, specifically focusing on large metropolitan areas where students regularly come face-to-face with the unmet needs of their communities. We call this service the Community Grant program and through this program SVF eliminates the financial barriers between students and valuable service-learning opportunities.

At SVF, we also believe individuals can be the impetus for change that transforms schools, neighborhoods, cities and cultures. SVF’s Leadership Grant program provides exceptional student leaders from disadvantaged backgrounds with the opportunity to attend leadership enrichment programs. Where a student has the will to reach their fullest leadership potential, SVF provides the way financially. By encouraging these students to develop their gifts and abilities, we hope to ensure that all schools and communities have the benefit of strong student leadership.

As SVF continues growing, we are excited to implement our Student Leaders ProgramSM (SLP) and the contingent SLP Build program. Created by SVF, SLP is designed to provide incentives for students and student groups to volunteer while keeping track of their activities in the community. The SLP Build initiative will connect 40 different student groups in the Twin Cities with building opportunities under the direction of Habitat for Humanity. SLP is constantly looking for new ways to connect youth with local service organizations (Special Olympics, Boys and Girls Club, YMCA, etc.).

With young hearts, sharp minds and strong backs, students are uniquely equipped to make an impact in their communities. SVF seeks to turn their energy and passion into results through providing them with the funding necessary to realize their visions for service and leadership development.

We have spent the last year and a half developing the necessary infrastructure and strategic plans for a successful launch during the 2008-2009 school year. In this developmental period we have already funded student-initiated service-learning projects in Minnesota, our target launch state, and will be sending five socioeconomically disadvantaged students to the National Student Council Convention this July. Furthermore, our Executive Director, Josh Collins, will have the privilege to unveil the first annual SVF Minnesota Year of Service-Learning at the Minnesota State Student Council Convention on April 14th. As we seek to provide Community Grants to student groups across Minnesota, this initiative will act as a central marketing tool. We hope to implement similar initiatives in states across the nation in the near future.

SVF has been fortunate to have the support of some excellent allies. Already, we have built strong relationships with the United Way Emerging Leaders Program, the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the Corporation for National and Community Service and the corporate giving departments at several Fortune 500 companies. SVF has also launched a full website, recruited a distinguished board of directors and advisors, obtained pro-bono legal counsel from Dorsey and Whitney, LLP (Minnesota’s largest law firm) and enlisted the support of an experienced New York media consultant.

With your help, the Student Volunteer Foundation will be able to enable a new generation of civic-minded leaders.