May 20, 2025
By Madison Geering Read full article in San Diego Business Journal
SAN DIEGO – Nonprofit Social Venture Partners announced a new name, Amplified Impact Partners, and 15 new partnerships as it solidifies its mission and expands operations. The organization, founded in 2001, matches local nonprofits with seasoned industry professionals for free consulting and development services.
“We’re really proud of getting to the point where we can launch 15 teams simultaneously,” Amplified CEO Erica Halpern said. “We are pleased to announce this cross-section of nonprofits from a range of issue areas, and from across San Diego, that are moving the needle for our communities.”
Halpern started at Amplified when the organization was just beginning to expand its pro bono work. At the time, they were launching two teams a year. Now, the organization launches 30 a year with an annual revenue of $500,000. Each of the selected nonprofits will be paired with a team of curated volunteer industry consultants who will help address the organization’s specific needs over a months-long period.
“There are so many talented professionals in San Diego who would like to use their skills for good,” Halpern said. “This is a great chance to bring those folks together…We have had a really exciting growth trajectory over time.”
Each nonprofit was selected for different reasons, but many fit at Amplified since they may not have the resources to grow on their own. Amplified looks for nonprofits at an “inflection point,” and aims to elevate operations to the next level. Consultants and nonprofits share resources through an online platform called The Exchange, as well as in person.
With Amplified’s new cohort, Partner Consultant Ivy Gordon will be taking on the lead on homelessness nonprofit Think Dignity’s team. The organization is a newcomer to Amplified’s program. After their first meeting, Gordon noted that the nonprofit’s new executive directors were “enthusiastic” and ready to grow.
In addition to Think Dignity, new partnerships include BIPOC Support Foundation, Boys & Girls Club of Vista, Community Action Service & Advocacy, Community Wellness Collaborative, Doors of Change, International Rescue Committee San Diego, Logan Heights Community Development Corporation, MANA de San Diego, Ocean Connectors, Operation HOPE–North County, ProduceGood, The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, Vehicles for Change San Diego and Villa Musica – San Diego’s Community Music Center.
Gordon has a robust background in organizational development and business consulting and has applied her experience at Amplified for three and a half years.
“I really enjoy working with new executive directors, whether they’re brand new, or new to that particular organization,” Gordon said. “I find them so open and willing to learn. I love the relationship that gets built during our time, and I keep track of the projects I finish and check in with them because I’m still a good sounding board if they need it.”
Expanding Programs to Support Nonprofits
This spring, Amplified announced the launch of Flex Teams, its new rapid-response consulting model designed to meet the urgent needs facing nonprofits today. The program offers short-term, high-impact support to organizations over the course of eight weeks, offering guidance on funding, operations and sustainability.
Amplified is currently recruiting for a summer cohort of 15 to 20 nonprofits in the new program.
“I know in some organizations there’s a lot of anxiety,” Gordon said. “They wonder, ‘Am I going to lose my job? What is going to be my future? What’s the job market like?’ Amplified is stepping up to meet the situation, and I’m really excited to see how it turns out.”
While Flex aims to support nonprofits impacted by shifts in federal funding, it will also help those who experience nervousness about donors pulling back in the current climate.
According to research conducted by The Nonprofit Institute at the University of San Diego to understand the impact of recent executive orders and other federal policy changes on nonprofits, 58% of organizations anticipated changing or ending their services or programs.
Amplified aims to increase its annual partnerships to 40 nonprofits next year, while simultaneously growing its bank of partner consultants.
“We’re growing by leaps and bounds,” Halpern said. “We see the need for continued growth, and there is no shortage of demand for our services. Our goal is to help as many nonprofits as we possibly can.”
New Name, Same Game
After 24 years as Social Venture Partners, Amplified hopes to complete its rebranding with its new name. The organization began providing primarily financial support to local nonprofits but has shifted focus to its consulting services.
“We started out providing small grants and business consulting support, but over time, nonprofits told us that they especially valued the pro bono business consulting, so we leaned into that,” Halpern said. “Our name is catching up with where we are.”
Gordon said that the connections made at Amplified are invaluable. In particular, she recalled her first project with nonprofit The Circle by Epiphany. Beyond her consulting, Gordon connected Epiphany with a banker she knew, and the relationship helped the nonprofit make enough income to pay its rent.
“I was so taken by the executive director – every time she’s knocked down, she comes up with something new,” Gordon said. “They were the first organization that got approved to be reimbursed by Medicaid for their work. There was something about the resilience of that little organization that just keeps going because of its dedication. I got very inspired.”
Through its expansions and growth, Amplified hopes to continue supporting other San Diego-based nonprofits.
“I don’t see anything limiting our growth,” Halpern said. “There are so many talented people in San Diego who would love to do this work, and there are just as many nonprofits that need our help.”