The Environment Accelerator Fund (EAF)  and Equinox Center

In 2007, SDSVP launched an innovative initiative to further increase our impact.  We wanted to apply our strengths in capacity building and collaboration to help a sector of the community in a more sustainable way and leveraged way. We also wanted to increase the impact of our leading-edge philanthropy. 

The SDSVP chose the environmental sector, and initially established the Environment Accelerator Fund to collaborate with outside funding sources, to increase giving with matching grants, and to ensure the most strategic use of this larger pool of funds.   With a focus on the environment, Partners completed a 900 person-hour research and analysis project, the largest in SDSVP history. They identified the need to work on San Diego’s future development, to ensure that economic and population growth happens in a way that is better for the environment. Their research showed that balancing the economics and ecology of the region is a central, highly leveraged issue – affecting urban development, habitat preservation, transportation, quality of life, economic sustainability, climate change, and many other issues.

To bring the best available solutions to the San Diego region, the Environment Accelerator Team decided to replicate the successful approach of a Seattle nonprofit, Sightline Institute, as its first project.  With their input, in 2008 we established a new organization, the Equinox Center (www.equinoxcenter.org)  to help ensure a healthy environment, strong economy, and vibrant communities for the people of San Diego.
 
Equinox Center is a non-partisan, nonprofit organization that will research and communicate usable information and innovative solutions to balance regional development with finite resources.  The Center will mine the most innovative solutions from across the ideological and political spectrums, and from around the world, in the following issue areas:  

• Smart Growth and Land Use 
• Sustainable Development
• Reliable Water Supply
• Energy Efficiency
• Transportation

It will proactively share effective practices and policy options with leaders and decision makers in government, business and the community to ensure we are making the right choices now to plan for San Diego’s future.   Equinox Center will publish reports, convene symposiums and foster dialogue to nurture practical vision and innovative thinking about our region’s sustainable prosperity.  The Equinox board has determined that its first two project areas will be water supply and establishing a set of sustainability indicators for the San Diego region.
 
Equinox has already sponsored two events with renowned leaders and thinkers on sustainability and social change.    On May 14, 2009, economist Dr. Richard Carson of UCSD spoke to a group of Equinox friends and supporters about water supply issues and some of the potential solutions to our current situation.   On May 18, Equinox co-sponsored an event with Social Venture Partners and San Diego Grantmakers featuring Bill Drayton, President and CEO of Ashoka Changemakers, a global organization that identifies and supports social entrepreneurs globally.  Numerous groups throughout the San Diego region have expressed interest in collaborating with Equinox Center, building the foundations of a strong network with the environmental community, business, academia, and government. 

To date, Equinox Center has received tremendous support from pro bono services offered by Mintz Levin attorneys-at-law, Bente Hansen executive recruiters, and marketing firms Oster & Associates and Incitrio. SDSVP partners continue to support the Equinox Center with their own time and talents. As of May 2009 the Center had obtained its federal tax exempt status, raised $800,000, formed an initial Board of Directors and appointed a number of strategic advisors, and hired a full-time Executive Director and a Program Director. 

If you would like further information on Equinox Center, please contact Marion Paul, executive director, at marion@equinoxcenter.org, or visit the Equinox website: www.equinoxcenter.org.