As nonprofit organizations are increasingly understaffed and underfunded, business professionals can help by providing pro bono services. Partnerships may grow naturally out of existing relationships between pro bono service providers and charities. In other cases, volunteers may need to be more creative to find the right fit.
Create a Pro Bono Grant Program like the We Inspire Grant
“With my passion for the community, nonprofits often ask me to donate pro-bono design,” blogs Emily Rawitsch on the website for Florida-based Studio Orange Design. “Yet the problem with doing a one-off piece is that it really doesn’t address the business challenges of an organization. For design to be effective, it must be well-planned and consistent.”
Rawitsch is joining with Fred Boyle of Subtle Technology and Tiffany Manning of Tiffany Manning Photography to create the We Inspire Grant Program. Nonprofits are invited to apply for We Inspire’s one-year grant of creative services (up to $75,000 of work) from the talented trio. We Inspire will accept applications through Jan. 15, 2010. (See the website for more details, including the application.)
Hook Into a Volunteer Network like Taproot Foundation
The Taproot Foundation, founded in 2001, is the United States’ largest nonprofit consulting firm. Taproot recruits business professionals to serve as pro bono consultants in the areas of marketing, technology, strategy management and human resources, then places the professionals on project teams. Nonprofit organizations receive grants of services for defined projects.
Professionals agree to donate between three and five hours per week for a project lasting six months. While most of the work is done virtually, professionals also participate in weekly team conference calls and monthly in-person meetings with clients.
Offer a Pro Bono Marathon like Goodstock
Five years ago, Madison, Wis.-based advertising agency Knupp & Watson created Goodstock, an effort they call “24 hours of love and advertising” to challenge the agency to give as much as possible in the short period. Now, other agencies are joining Knupp & Watson in the pro bono marathon.