Launched in 2011, the CVC Foundation has a network-wide philanthropy programme, called CVC and the Community, which aims to use CVC’s resources to make a difference in the lives of disadvantaged people in the countries where we do business, to support our employees’ philanthropic activities, and to help our portfolio companies develop their own CSR programmes.
CVC’s community and philanthropic activities play an important part in the firm’s integrated approach to responsible business.
Opportunity for all
The CVC Foundation focuses its efforts on four key areas: Education, Employability, Entrepreneurship and Venture Philanthropy. We aim to address socio-economic barriers by empowering individuals to achieve their potential in education and employment.
CVC and the Community Opportunities for All 2023/2024
CVC’s community and philanthropic activities play a part in the firm’s integrated approach to responsible business.
Partnerships
We collaborate with a range of charities and organisations across these areas. By partnering with these entities, we are able to expand the reach and impact of our initiatives. CVC provides a package of support that typically includes funding, pro bono expertise, employee volunteering and access to the wider CVC Network.
Education
https://www.oldvictheatre.com/ 
https://brasilrugby.com.br/ 
https://www.streetsinternational.org/ 
https://londonyouth.org/ 
https://www.streetleague.co.uk/ https://www.premiershiprugby.com/community/hitz 
https://www.changelives.org/ 
http://www.squashsmarts.org/ 
https://build.org/ 
Enterprise
https://centreforentrepreneurs.org/ 
https://ventureforamerica.org/ 
https://www.skysthelimit.org/ 
https://www.sportdanslaville.com/ 
https://shapingimpact.group/en/funds/si3-equal-opportunities 
https://www.sbs.ox.ac.uk/research/centres-and-initiatives/entrepreneurship-centre/oxford-seed-fund 
https://www.youthcolab.org/ 
Making a real difference
CVC's focused philanthropic efforts have a real impact as shown through our work with Squash Smarts. This US-based non-profit offers an intensive, year-round academic and athletic mentoring programme that provides underserved youth from Philadelphia with a safe, enriching place to learn and grow.
Through the CVC Foundation’s funding, SquashSmarts was able to expand its programme from North to West Philadelphia – two areas with the highest concentrations of poverty and crime, and high school drop-out rates.
SquashSmarts keeps students off the street, in school and focused on personal and team achievement and advancement through squash instruction, academic tutoring and individual mentorship while imparting high standards of personal integrity, health and fitness, and service to community.
The program is on track to reach 900+ students across both campuses by the end of the school year. During 2023 the programme helped secure a 100% high school graduation rate for all alumni who had taken part in the programme for seven or more years. Additionally, 100% of graduates enrolled in college following SquashSmarts ’staff guidance.
As well as providing funding, CVC has also supported SquashSmarts through our volunteer programme. Female professionals from CVC and our portfolio companies Asplundh, MedRisk and CFGI participated in a career insights day in Philadelphia to give middle and high school aged women exposure to professionals in different industries, roles and career paths.
Working with portfolio companies
The CVC Foundation has a long history of working with its portfolio companies on community programmes. This is an important pillar of our philanthropic work as it leverages the foundation's charitable efforts, while mobilising our resources to reach more communities and create a legacy of philanthropy with companies that lasts well beyond CVC's funds' period of ownership.