Two local philanthropy organizations-The One Percent Club and Social Venture Partners Minnesota (SVP), both based in Minneapolis-have decided to join forces in a mission to promote philanthropy across the state.

The partnership's purpose is two-fold: to minimize costs by sharing administrative duties and to share in joint programming that increases the quality and quantity of local philanthropy-through both engagement and giving money.

The One Percent Club was founded in 1997. Its members commit to contributing 1 percent of their net worth or 5 percent of their income, whichever is greater, to the cause(s) of their choice. It has been looking to partner with another local organization for about a year.

Judson Dayton, chair of the One Percent Club's board, said that the One Percent Club looked at several local organizations before choosing SVP.

Dayton said the club's mission combines well with SVP-which invests its partners' charitable dollars, time, and expertise in social entrepreneurs who create better ways to solve complex social problems. SVP, which Brown calls a “venture philanthropy organization,” has 75 partners. It was founded in 1997 in Seattle and opened its Minnesota chapter in 2002. The SVP network currently has 26 affiliates located throughout the United States, Canada and Japan.

The two organizations are looking to pool their resources to get younger people involved in philanthropy through speakers, mentoring, and educational programs.

According to Brad Brown, SVP's executive director, the organizations are currently working on an awareness campaign highlighting the fact that you don't have to be a millionaire to give. The campaign will promote giving time and skills and looks to target younger philanthropists.

Dayton said the organizations are looking to start joint programs in the spring. The goal is to design programs that will attract younger people while also engaging the older generations that have practiced philanthropy for years.

The One Percent Club boasted 1,000 members in its prime and currently has about 700. About two years ago, the organization was approached by a group from La Crosse, Wisconsin, that inquired about opening its own branch. It is the club's first official branch but may be not be the only one. However, Dayton said that opening more branches is not an immediate priority.