A nonprofit that helps charities grow and thrive
Plus: Legislature to debate new anti-crime bill called 'Iryna's Law'; Developer dishes on new 43-story South End tower; Myers Park statue dressed as Revolutionary figure; Corn maze time
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Q&A: Nonprofits often struggle with structure, not passion — how Social Venture Partners Charlotte helps fill that critical gap and boosts local charities
Starting a nonprofit sounds simple enough: You see a need in the community, you rally people to your cause, and you get to work.
But in reality, it’s tough to keep a new nonprofit going. Many founders have the passion and the ideas, but not always the business know-how or connections to turn those ideas into long-term success.
In a recent episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, we talked with Kristin Winkle Beck, the executive director of Social Venture Partners Charlotte.
It’s a nonprofit that acts a little like a venture capital firm — except instead of chasing profits, it’s chasing impact. The group gives grants, connects nonprofits with skilled volunteers and helps founders build the infrastructure they need to survive and thrive: from creating budgets to strengthening boards to sharpening their messages.
The model blends financial support with business expertise, and it’s been a quiet force in Charlotte’s nonprofit landscape for nearly 20 years. It has helped nurture local nonprofits including Digi-Bridge, OurBridge for Kids, Heart Math Tutoring and Common Wealth Charlotte.
In a conversation with Ledger editor Tony Mecia, Beck discusses why nonprofits matter, how the group helps strengthen nonprofits, what challenges the sector is facing now, and why building the right foundation is often just as important as raising money.
The full conversation can be found on The Charlotte Ledger Podcast. Here are some excerpts, edited for brevity and clarity:
Q: I’m guessing that a lot of nonprofits in their early stages think that what they need most is money. Is that true, or is it not money that they need the most?
Money is always going to be helpful. So yes, 100%, money is critical, but what we really find is your money can go farther and be put to the most effective use when it’s combined with expertise and strong leaders. …
People underestimate the value of a nonprofit board of directors or skilled volunteers. They’re doing the non-glamorous work — setting strategic priorities, developing a budget, coming up with a marketing plan. That’s not going to make the headlines, but it’s super critical to allowing scrappy organizations who have great ideas and great connections in the community to be efficient with their money and expand their impact.
Q: So you mentioned running nonprofits like a business. Is that something that can be done?
Gosh, that’s a loaded question. You’re certainly not pursuing the work for profit, so that’s a fundamental difference. But I do believe there’s a lot of benefit. … There are actually more similarities than differences.
You’re always looking to stretch your dollar, to be as efficient as possible. Measurement and success standards are harder — you’re not measuring profits, but the impact and outcomes on the lives of people you’re trying to change. Sometimes that can take a long time. … You’re not going quarter-to-quarter on earnings.
There are some differences, but the elements of being proactive in your marketing, risk management and contingency planning, bringing together smart, talented people and engaging diverse perspectives — those are very similar in the for-profit world. If you can do things with an eye toward efficiency, you’re going to be more effective with every donor dollar you receive.
So there are a lot of business principles at play that people don't always think about in the charitable sector.
Q: What's your sense of how nonprofits are doing these days? I keep hearing about a lot of challenges out there, a lot of headwinds surrounding the funding environment. I’m hearing a lot of anxiety. Is it a bad time to start a nonprofit?
I think it's just like any other business. … There are always ebbs and flows and cycles.
The needs have never been greater for our nonprofit sector to fill a gap because government support and the private sector are not able to meet the needs. That’s really how nonprofits were born, and it makes the work all the more meaningful and rewarding.
There are certainly headwinds. … So it’s organizations deploying smart leaders, board members, skilled volunteers to come alongside professionals that make the biggest difference. The work we’re doing requires us to be more creative and plan through different scenarios.
People are also really generous. Giving was up last year, and we are staring down the barrel of $600 billion being given. So the time for philanthropists and people to give toward causes they’re passionate about has never been more important.
Q: So tell me a little bit about, from your perspective, SEED20, your nonprofit pitch competition. What is the idea behind that?
SEED20 stands for Social Entrepreneurs Empowered. It’s a platform for people with novel and unique ideas.
When we think of innovation, we often think in a for-profit way. At SVP Charlotte, when it started, we focused on the three-minute pitch, teaching nonprofit leaders to tell their stories in a compelling way. We’ve now expanded—providing workshops, networking, training and coaching beyond the stage.
It’s evolved into a yearlong learning experience where organizations can strengthen their boards, learn best practices in finances and build relationships across the nonprofit sector.
Every fall, we open applications. In December, we announce the cohort and embark on coaching and training for the onstage experience. Beyond that, we offer curriculum, events and workshops. …
Until September 25, applications are open. You can go to SEED20.org for the full timeline and application link.
Social Venture Partners Charlotte’s SEED20 competition this year awarded $20,000 to Project Outpour, which provides showers for homeless individuals. The Ledger’s Election Hub was one of the 10 participants. (Photo courtesy of Social Venture Partners Charlotte)
Q: So, besides SEED20, what are some of the other initiatives or programs that you have?
Our organization was founded as a venture philanthropy, which means every year, we offer a venture philanthropy investment grant only open to past SEED20 participants.
We’ve had over 210 nonprofits go through the program. Our investment grant is a multi-year funding and engagement capacity-building experience. Right now, we have three nonprofits in our investee portfolio that we walk alongside over three years, helping them strengthen their infrastructure.
The other program we stood up, actually during the pandemic, is called Spark Teams. It’s a free, project-based consultancy or advisory program where we take requests from the alumni that have either come through the investment cycle in the past or through SEED20, they can come to us and request. It's purely time- and talent-driven. There's no financial contribution. They may want to refresh a strategic plan or update their forecasting process. We find skilled volunteers to help them execute that project in four to 10 weeks. We provide financial investment to them each year.
🎧 You can listen to the full interview on The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other podcast platforms:
➡️ You can find out more about Social Venture Partners Charlotte, and its SEED20 program, here. (The application deadline for its 2026 program is Sept. 25.)
Today’s supporting sponsor is Landon A. Dunn, attorney-at-law in Matthews:
N.C.’s General Assembly could move quickly this week to pass ‘Iryna’s Law,’ with tough-on-crime measures and money for more prosecutors
State legislators are expected to start debating a new anti-crime bill today that was prompted by the Aug. 22 stabbing death of Iryna Zarutska aboard a Charlotte light rail train.
The suspect in the apparently random killing had served nearly five years in prison for armed robbery and had been diagnosed with schizophrenia. At the time of the stabbing, he had a pending misdemeanor charge — for which he had been released without posting a bond — and had been ordered to undergo a mental health evaluation.
The bill, written by members of the General Assembly’s Republican majority, would:
Make it harder for people accused of violent offenses to be released before trial
Require mental health evaluations in more situations, such as if a defendant is accused of a violent crime and had an involuntary commitment in the last three years
Add stricter rules for people accused of crimes while out on bail or for those who fail to appear in court
Authorize the chief justice of the N.C. Supreme Court to suspend magistrates
Make it easier for a defendant to receive the death penalty if the crime was committed “while the victim was using a public transportation system”
Provide funding for 10 additional assistant district attorneys and five legal assistants in Mecklenburg
Order a study of how the mental health system and criminal justice system intersect, with recommendations for future reforms
The text of the bill was first reported Sunday by The Assembly, a statewide digital publication. The Raleigh News & Observer reported an updated version of the text later Sunday.
The bill, named “Iryna’s Law,” could move quickly through the General Assembly, which is in session for just a few days this week, the News & Observer reported.
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City Council expected to extend authority of private security company
The Charlotte City Council is expected to vote today to allow a private security company to enforce laws in areas adjacent to public transit facilities.
The jurisdiction of the company, Professional Police Services, would be extended to include areas near the Charlotte Transportation Center uptown, East Trade Street and sidewalks, the entire Rail Trail in South End and sidewalks around the Eastland Transit Center and Rosa Parks Community Transit Center, QCity Metro reported. —Tony Mecia
Real Estate Whispers: How a 43-story tower got the green light to build, Elon’s president on South End real estate, South Tryon hotel renderings, and more!
In an edition published last week as its own standalone newsletter, paying Ledger members who have opted in to receive Real Estate Whispers in their inboxes enjoyed learning about the following topics:
The developer behind the big Queensbridge Collective project in South End, Tony Scacco of Riverside Investment & Development, explains how his company landed financing to build a 43-story mixed-use tower at a time when it’s tough to start building new projects
What Elon University’s president says about the university’s real estate needs in Charlotte, following the announcement this week of a merger between Elon and Queens University of Charlotte.
Renderings! New ones emerged last week of a proposed hotel on South Tryon Street in South End.
A round-up from other reliable sources of top real estate news, including plans for a hotel in Dilworth, a scaling back of BofA’s real estate portfolio and a frenzy of property moves by Beacon Partners.
Charlotte Commercial Real Estate Whispers is our regular check-in on Charlotte growth and development, available exclusively to Ledger paying members. It provides an inside look at what developers and other real estate pros are buzzing about — including plenty of scoops you won’t find elsewhere.
➡️ Receive Whispers as a newsletter by opting in online
Hugh McManaway statue in Myers Park dressed up as a Revolutionary figure
A local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution decorated the Hugh McManaway statue in Myers Park last week to promote Constitution Week, which commemorates the signing of the U.S. Constitution.
You might be interested in these Charlotte events
Events submitted by readers to The Ledger’s events board:
TUESDAY: “Sustain Charlotte Connects: Transportation for All Ages & Abilities,” 6-8 p.m., at Southminster (Dottie Shelton Room B), 8919 Park Road. Join Sustain Charlotte to explore the question: "What would a transportation network that works for people of all ages and abilities look like, and how can we achieve that?" Expert panelists will share insights about how local government and community partners work to meet the mobility needs of older adults, children and people with disabilities. Registration required. Free.
THURSDAY: “Empowering Women in Business Conference,” 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at The Union at Station West, 919 Berryhill Road. Join the Charlotte Area Chamber of Commerce for an event that empowers, educates and connects professional women in our community by fostering meaningful conversations, innovative strategies and impactful relationships. Molly Grantham will be this year’s keynote speaker. Registration required. $199 individual member. $249 individual non-member. $1,600 reserved table of eight.
FRIDAY: “Senior Scholars Weekly Meetings,” 10-11 a.m., at Providence United Methodist Church, 2810 Providence Road. Wondering what will happen between the United States and Mexico as the Trump tariffs take effect? You’re welcome to sit with the members of Senior Scholars as Jürgen Buchenau, Dowd Term Professor of Capitalism Studies at UNC Charlotte, examines our relationship with our southern neighbor. $5 for guests. $25 annual membership.
➡️ List your event on the Ledger events board.
In brief:
Settlement in WBTV helicopter crash: WBTV meteorologist Jason Myers’ family reached a $50M settlement with TTWN Media and iHeart Media, which maintained the station’s helicopter, after investigators found a defective, improperly installed nut caused the 2022 crash that killed Myers and pilot Chip Tayag. (Observer)
Uptown shootout: Police say one person was killed in a shootout between two groups early Sunday outside the Brooklyn Nightclub and Lounge near the Spectrum Center, the second deadly uptown Charlotte shooting in four days. (WBTV)
More banks: Ohio-based Huntington National Bank said it plans to open five locations in the Carolinas by the end of 2025, including in South End. The bank celebrated the opening of its first branch in North Carolina last week, on Fairview Road in SouthPark.
Social districts praised: Since North Carolina legalized social districts in 2021, towns from Mebane to Kannapolis have used them to revive downtowns—boosting foot traffic, attracting restaurants and shops and creating livelier community hubs—though larger cities like Winston-Salem and Asheville remain cautious about adopting them. (The Assembly)
Corn mazes opening: It’s corn maze season, with many opening for the fall last weekend and this weekend. Axios Charlotte has a list.
‘Barktender’ on duty: At Waltonwood Providence, a senior living community in Waverly in south Charlotte, the marketing manager built a pet-friendly “Bark Bar,” where residents sip spritzers, pups munch on “bark-cuterie” and his 6-year-old cockapoo, Sheldon, serves as the official four-legged “Barktender.” (Charlotte magazine)
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