DJR Class of 2025 Application
Due at 11:59PM on Saturday, July 27
Please scroll down to read the following information carefully as it contains specific information about program requirements. DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP!
You may answer questions out of order by clicking the dots at the bottom of the screen (visible after the first question), or save and return later by clicking the save icon.
If you would like to speak to an alumni of the program before, during, or after applying, or if you have any questions or need accommodations for this application, please email Grace Topete at gtopete@svpdallas.org. You are also welcome to join us for an Applicants' Happy Hour on Monday, July 15!
I. Who Should Apply?
Created with lifelong philanthropist Dana Juett, the Social Venture Partners Dallas Dana Juett Residency Program (DJR) is designed to empower and equip young business professionals to become successful life-long philanthropists; to do good better, earlier. We look for candidates who have a strong desire to apply their professional skills to help grow the capacity of social impact organizations in the DFW area.
While no formal education or particular professional experience is required, we find that DJR is best suited to engage young professionals in business functions or fields, such as:
- Finance/Accounting
- Communications/Marketing
- Law or Legal Services
- Sales & Business Development
- Research & Development
- Technology Services & Infrastructure
- Learning & Instruction
- Human Resources
- Strategy & Management
- Entrepreneurship
- Data Analytics
- and more!
The early-career leaders who participate are interested in giving to social causes through their unique areas of expertise, rather than by leading causes directly. Residents go on to become expert pro-bono consultants, engaged board members, and effective advocates for corporate responsibility and social change without having to leave their professional realms or trajectories.
Applications are open to all DFW-area business professionals who, as of September 1, 2023, will have already turned 21 but not yet reached their 30th birthday.
II. What Is The Program Like?
The Dana Juett Residency is a jump-start to being an effective, equipped, and engaged SVP Dallas Partner. Our Partners are committed and talented professionals who pursue systemic change for justice in Dallas through collective giving, volunteering their time and expertise, and sharing best practices for building the capacity of Dallas social impact organizations. The capacity-building work of SVP Dallas is focused specifically on serving organizations that seek to make systemic change for racial, economic, and social equity and accessibility in our community.
If accepted to the program, you and the other Residents will meet in-person each month to develop leadership and community-building skills, deepen relationships with your peers, and hear from some of Dallas’ most influential philanthropic leaders. Each session will occur at different locations around the city, based on the topic covered in the session.
The program culminates with a skills-based social impact organization team project. During these projects, teams will assist an organization with a pro-bono consulting project to address a need within the organization. One team may build a marketing strategy, while another creates a strategic growth plan. At graduation, the teams will present their projects in a fast pitch competition with the chance to win a grant for the organization they worked with.
You and your fellow residents will also have the opportunity to interact with the broader SVP Dallas community by volunteering at or attending several SVP-sponsored events, including bigBANG!, Social Innovation Luncheon Series, Dallas Autumn Ball, and the annual Philanthroparty Gala.
III. Subjects Covered
The Residency Program does not address starting or running nonprofits, civic engagement, or grantmaking. Rather, DJR is uniquely focused on building your skills for direct and effective pro-bono consulting to social impact organizations. Through the DJR program, you will engage in meaningful conversation with leaders in the philanthropic, government, and social sectors, covering multiple perspectives on dynamic issues such as:
- Charity vs Justice & the Role of Nonprofits
- Philanthropy & Business
- Philanthropy & Government
- Philanthropy & Equity
- Philanthropy & Collective Impact
- Philanthropy & Collaboration
- Innovations in Philanthropy
- Philanthropy & the People
IV. Assignments/Capstone
We ask that you complete all assigned tasks, which will include readings, written reflections, informational interviews, and group activities. Some tasks will be assigned in advance of a session, others as a follow-up activity. During the spring semester, you will begin working on a team consulting project with an organization. There is a significant increase in the time requirement during this period, and you will be responsible for deciding and managing your tasks with your team.
V. International Philanthropy Trip
In Summer 2025, we intend to continue learning through a week-long international trip. This is not a mandatory trip but will be a great opportunity to explore international philanthropy. The trip will be partially subsidized, and we will provide more details once the program begins. This trip is typically the last week of June or first week of July. Residents who choose to participate are typically responsible for airfare and a reasonable deposit.
VI. Time Commitment and Attendance
The Residency program will consist of monthly sessions over the course of nine months, in addition to pre-work and additional flexible meetings with cohort members between sessions. We anticipate successful participation to require 5-6 hours of your time per month during the fall semester, and 10-12 hours per month during the spring semester.
In addition to the eight regular monthly sessions, we require that you attend the mandatory in-person opening retreat in September 2024 (tentatively Sept 13-14; exact dates to be confirmed). Typically, this retreat is overnight in the Dallas area with accommodations provided. Regular monthly meetings are the second Saturday of each month October through May from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 pm (light breakfast and lunch are included). The graduation and fast pitch ceremony is typically held on or near June 4th each year, Dana Juett's birthday.
A total of six hours of planned and/or unplanned absence is allowed over the course of the entire program (excluding the opening retreat, which is mandatory). Arriving late or leaving early from a session counts towards this total.
In addition to your attendance, we ask for your presence: your attention, commitment, and openness.
VII. Financial Commitment
An important component of philanthropy is financial contribution. We ask you to commit to a substantial but sustainable monthly contribution – which is individually determined by each Resident. Most Residents choose an amount that is equivalent to roughly 3% of their monthly income.
VIII. Application Process
Applications open on Saturday, June 15 and close Saturday, July 27 at 11:59PM CDT. Late and incomplete applications will not be considered.
The application consists of demographic information, one professional reference (contact information only; no letter of recommendation is required), and five open-response questions.
Before, during, or after applying, you may email gtopete@svpdallas.org to ask to schedule an informal call with a program alumni; this is not required and cannot negatively impact your application.
The form below will allow you to save your progress and come back to the application. If you would like to speak to an alum of the program before, during, or after applying, or if you have any other questions, please reach out to Grace Topete at gtopete@svpdallas.org.