Spark Ventures provides sustainable solutions that lift communities out of poverty and empowers future leaders.
Spark Ventures has lasting impact by directing human and financial resources to partners around the world to provide education, nutrition, healthcare, and jobs. By focusing our resources in areas of business, job creation and capacity building, we seek to have lasting and sustainable impact.
These efforts are anchored by our community of strategic donors who support this sustainable model with their donations of time, talent and treasure, and by our impact travel program that is life-changing and world-changing, fostering personal connections between Spark and the vulnerable communities Spark serves.
Sustainability
At Spark Ventures, we invest in the sustainability of our partner organizations and the communities they support. We define our sustainability efforts in terms of individual, organizational and environmental:
INDIVIDUAL
Supporting partner initiatives and programs with outcomes that increase the self-sufficiency of the individuals/families being served (i.e. education, job creation, healthcare, financial literacy, micro-lending, skills training)
ORGANIZATIONAL
Supporting partner initiatives and programs that create long-term operational and financial health of their organizations (local income generation, capacity building, leadership training, succession planning)
ENVIRONMENTAL
Supporting partner initiatives and programs that contribute to local and global environmental stewardship (recycling/upcycling, land welfare, awareness, advocacy)
Our Values
Spark Ventures’ mission is to provide sustainable solutions lifting communities out of poverty and empower future leaders. Our work is driven by the following values:
COLLABORATIVE RELATIONSHIPS
working with others who have common goals in order to make the greatest difference in the world
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
advancing a society where people accept their responsibility to seek the good of others and to participate in the world as global citizens
MUTUAL ACCOUNTABILITY
pursuing integrity with all partners, associates, and in all resource investments
DEEP HUMILITY
believing there is something to learn from every person and practicing mutual respect and inclusion
HUMAN DIGNITY
considering every person and every child deserving of having their basic needs met and be free from oppression
Our vision is a future where our partners have the opportunity and resources to achieve their potential.
Where We Work
Spark Ventures’ headquarters is in Chicago. Our social-impact partners are grassroots organizations serving children and their families in vulnerable communities around the world. To date, we have four partners in Zambia, Nicaragua, Mexico and Chicago. We work with these partners to create lasting change and ensure the most vulnerable individuals in their communities have access to a quality education, nutrition and healthcare. It’s a holistic approach to international development intended to address job creation, empowerment of new leaders and dependence on foreign aid.
Consider joining us by investing financially, attending an event, or traveling with us. We would also love to hear from you with any questions or comments. Please reach out to Kristin Schrepferman by e-mail (kschrepferman@sparkventures.org) or by calling, 773-293-6710.
