Publications > PVF in the News
Gentry SV, August/September 2014, "Bold New Vision." James Higa's innovative work to reinvent giving in the Bay Area is profiled in this article.
Oakland Local, April 15, 2014, “Who’s Funding Oakland Start-Ups? 15 VCs to Watch” by Barbara Grady. PVF’s Bay Area Inspire Awards Program for young social innovators is profiled.
San Jose Mercury News, April 11, 2014, “Celebrating Success for Rosalie Rendu Center” by Janet Duca Norton. The Rosalie Rendu Center, a PVF grantee, celebrates its success in helping low-income residents grow through learning.
CBS Alice Radio, March 12, 2014, "The Bay Area's Inequality Gap." In this radio program, James Higa discusses ways to tackle the growing inequality gap in the Bay Area.
Wall Street Journal, February 26, 2013, "After Apple, Tackling Poverty" by Evelyn Rusli. A profile on James Higa and his efforts to tackle poverty in the Bay Area.
Asian Philanthropy Forum, April 12, 2013, "25 Creative Philanthropy Practices." Bill Somerville's key practices for outstanding professional philanthropy are outlined.
Palo Alto Online, March 1, 2013, "Bill Somerville stepping back (a bit) after a lifetime as a philanthropic revolutionary" by Jay Thorwaldson. This article describes Bill Somerville's legacy in philanthropy.
San Jose Murcury News, January 8, 2013, "Facebook Distributes $200,000 to East Palo Alto and Menlo Park Nonprofits" by Bonnie Eslinger. This article discusses PVF's Facebook Local Community Fund and its first round of grant distribution.
Lifestyles Magazine, New Year 2013, "iJames" by Darren Gluckman. Mr. Gluckman profiles PVF's Executive Director, James Higa.
San Francisco Business Times, November 23-29, 2012, "Bay Area entrepreneurs update philanthropy" by Renee Frojo.
The Mercury News, January 26, 2010, "Kim Baker" column by Paul Freeman. Paul talks with Ms. Baker about her time spent on site visits with Bill Somerville. After her visits she put on a benefit concert for one of the places she visited.
The Daily Journal, November 30, 2009, "Time To Give" column by Sue Lempert discusses PVF's grantmaking style.
Grantmakers for Effective Organizations, September 2009, "On the Money: The Key Financial Challenges Facing Nonprofits Today - and How Grantmakers Can Help," by Nancy Burd. PVF's 'paperless giving' approach is compared in a 36 page analysis of "three grantmakers, three approaches."
San Francisco Magazine - June, 2009, "In Good We Trust" PVF is listed as Good Idea #12: The 48-hour Yes or No, by April Dembosky.
San Francisco Chronicle - November 28, 2008, "He Invests in People: Philanthropist Cuts Through Bureaucracy to Help Charities" by Meredith May, Chronicle Staff Writer.
Contra Costa Times/Montclarion - November 6, 2008, "Year End Giving: Looking Beyond Your Mailbox" - sixth article in a series on social engagement philanthropy by Bill Somerville.
Chronicle of Philanthropy - October 2, 2008, "In Grant Making, Speed + Accuracy > Size" Op-Ed by Bill Somerville. "As grant makers, we expect the charities we support to be fleet, flexible, and ready to turn on a dime. Foundations, on the other hand, make our grants at our own convenience."
San Francisco Examiner - August 4, 2008, "The Benefits of a Solid Foundation" discusses PVF's immediate response grantmaking programs such as Affinity Grants and Sports for Health Grants.Foundation Center- July 24, 2008, "Philanthropy Chat with Bill Somerville" with Janet Camarena, Philanthropy Front and Center Blog.
Gentry Magazine - July 2008, Feature story on Bill Somerville and various Philanthropic Ventures Foundation programs.
KPIX CBS-5 TV, June 29, 2008, Bay Sunday Show, "Grassroots Philanthropy" author Bill Somerville discusses PVF's approach to grantmaking.KPIX CBS-5 TV,June 9, 2008, "Bay Area Philanthropist Offers Help in a Hurry," featured story on the 6pm news, can be viewed by clicking the link above.
The Financial Times, May 31, 2008 by Sean Stannard-Stockton, CFA, CAP. Financial Times calls PVF Founder Bill Somerville "A philanthropic force of nature" whose grantmaking is "a leap forward towards high- impact, efficient giving that embraces imagination and risk-taking."San Mateo County Times April 9, 2008, "Music to Their Ears: Foundations Offer Quick Grants for Arts," by Angela Hart. Article about PVF's Arts Resource Grants, with funding by The Westly Foundation. Interviews, photographs, and testimonials from San Mateo County teachers about the impact of the Program which supports arts field trips, musical instruments and creative arts projects.
Oakland Tribune, Contra Costa Times, Montclarion, February 17, 2008, "Ordinary Students Learn How to Give" by Martin Snapp, feature story about PVF and director Bill Somerville's new course at Laney Community College Introduction to Philanthropy, CC Times, pg A27.
San Mateo Daily Journal, January 28, 2008, "Small is Sometimes Big." Columnist Sue Lempert tours Redwood City with PVF Director Bill Somerville, discovering outstanding grassroots programs supported by PVF.San Francisco Business Times, January 2008, "Nonprofit Profile" of Bill Somerville, professional insights and introspections.
KFRC Radio Interview, January 22, 2008, PVF Executive Director Bill Somerville was a guest on the Morning Show on KFRC 106.9FM.
KPIX TV Interview, December 30, 2007, PVF Executive Director Bill Somerville was a guest on the Morning Show, speaking on creative end of the year giving.
KCBS Radio Interview with Bill Somerville, December 2, 2007. PVF Executive Director Bill Somerville spoke on creative grantmaking on a KCBS radio interview which aired December 2, 2007 on ALICE 97.3 FM, KFRC 106.9 FM, MOVIN 99.7 FM & LIVE 105.3 FM.
Laney Tower, February 8, 2007, "Philanthropy Class Offered at Laney: Ten Grand Offered to School for Best Project," by Vina Cera. PVF President Bill Somerville is teaching Understanding Philanthropy at Oakland's Laney Community College, in which students will become a miniature foundation making recommendations for $10,000 in grants to benefit Laney College.
Foundation News & Commentary, March/April 2006, Vol. 47, No. 2, "Trying to [Re]build a Better South" by Jody Curtis. PVF's Disaster MOU's are described in this article featuring creative grantmaking in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. See Funders Planning Ahead section, pg. 47Stanford Magazine, March/April 2006, "What Students Do with Venture Fellowships." First two East Palo Alto Social Venture Fellows in a PVF initiated fellowship through the Haas Center for Public Service at Stanford University
San Francisco Chronicle, May 4, 2004, "A Man Who Takes Trust Seriously," by Marianne Costaninou, E1
The Chronicle of Philanthropy, November 13, 2003, "No-Fuss Philanthropy," by Darlene M. Siska, pp.13-14
Many of the publications listed above are available online in Portable Document Format (PDF). In order to view these documents, you will need the free Adobe Acrobat Reader.
If you would like a copy of one of these articles, contact PVF by writing to info@venturesfoundation.org
Students at Edision Brentwood Academy in East Palo Alto, California, read popular title books on tape, with a listening center made possible by a Literacy Intervention Grant.
PVF PRESS RELEASES:
Bill Somerville to teach Introduction to Philanthropy Course at Stanford University - November 25, 2008 Full day workshop offered through Stanford Continuing Studies on February 29, 2009.
Thoughtful Giving, UC Berkeley Course - October 2008
PVF President, Bill Somerville, to teach 2-day introduction to philanthropic giving workshop at Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UC Berkeley on Nov 13 & 20, 2008.
Teacher Resource Grants Need Funding - September 8, 2008
PVF provides fast-tracked grants to the hardest hit local schools in the wake of continuing budget cuts, and is putting out a call for community support.
New “Affinity” and “Sports for Health” Programs - June 27, 2008 PVF Provides Immediate Response Grants for Low-Income Students and Much Needed Fitness Programs. PVF Helps Impassioned Donors Provide Immediate Help to
PVF Donor Profile– May 19, 2008 Inspired Donors and a Can-Do Foundation Produce a Three Continent-Wide Span of Projects to Enhance Education and Health for Young People in Isolated Communities. Determined to Put their Money Where Their Hearts Are, Donors Peter & Jane Carpenter Turned to Philanthropic Ventures Foundation, the
Booksigning at Council on Foundations Summit - April 16, 2008, Bill Somerville, the “Maverick” Grantmaker and Founder of Philanthropic Ventures Foundation, Will Sign Copies of His New Book at the Upcoming Council on Foundations Philanthropy Leadership Summit.
Arts Resource Grants - March 18, 2008, Philanthropic Ventures Foundation partners with The Westly Foundation to award over $200,000 in grants to San Mateo County public school teachers to fund arts field trips, drama clubs, and classroom arts resources.
The New Face of Philanthropy: Laney College Students Learn How to Give– January 30, 2008 Pioneering Bay Area Grantmaker Bill Somerville Teaches Grassroots Grantmaking in Nation’s First Ever Community College Philanthropy Course
$150,000 Peninsula Grants - December 26, 2007, Philanthropic Ventures Foundation Awards $150,000 in Year End Giving To Peninsula Programs Serving the Poor, Funds Dispersed within 24 Hours of Anonymous Donation Are Part of Philanthropic Ventures Foundation’s Innovative “Immediate Response Grant Program.”
Ambassador Program - November 26, 2007, Philanthropic Ventures Foundation Introduces Novel "Ambassador Program" to Recognize Outstanding Contributors to Bay Area Needy; Grassroots Program is Latest in Series of Maverick Grantmaking Initiatives from the Man Who Wrote the Book of the Subject.