#probonodc

What happens when you combine speed dating with consulting? Speed consulting! Speed consulting allows nonprofits to sit down with experts in finance, marketing, and strategy to diagnose critical problems nonprofits are facing.

Thanks to the generous support of American Express, and in partnership with Serve DC, Taproot DC hosted a Speed Consulting event at the Frank D. Reeves Municipal Center on Friday, September 11th, 2015 from 8:30am - 1:00pm. The event was part of 9/11 Skills Service Day, a national day of service commemorate the anniversary of 9/11.

We were joined by 15 wonderful consultants and 13 nonprofits, including DC SCORES, DC STEM, Homestretch VA, and more. During the event, we decided to spotlight one nonprofit, Capital Partners for Education, to give other nonprofits a sense of what it's like to attend a speed consulting event with Taproot.  

We followed Genette Comfort, Director of Development and Communications at Capital Partners for ED, to each of the 3 sessions.  

First up was the session on finance. Genette explained to her consultant a common nonprofit problem that Capital Partners is facing - staff capacity. The ED can't do it all, and managing financial systems is best divided among qualified staff instead of concentrated in 1-2 people. How can pro bono help?

Key takeaway from finance: "Know where you are as a nonprofit. You've got to start with small solutions to build a strong foundation. My consultant walked me through simple steps that will allow us to make a plan going forward."  

Next was the strategy session. Capital Partners for Ed has grown by 40% in the past year. How do they manage their new staff? How can they maintain their productivity and grow their outputs?  

The key takeaway from strategy was to conduct internal assessments. "We identified key areas where we could be using volunteers, as well as where we need to be better about utilizing free resources [pro tip: Taproot is one of them!]. We need to be collaborating with other nonprofits in our line of work as well."  

Lastly, was the session on marketing. Capital Partners for ED runs a very high-touch, hands-on mentoring program with many detailed components. How can their branded collateral convey the complexity of what they do while still being accessible to stakeholders and easy to read?  

Key takeaway from marketing: Focus on your audience(s). "We were so focused on generating new collateral that we didn't pay as much attention to who it was going to [i.e. funders, partners, students, mentors, etc.]. By segmenting our materials depending on the audience receiving them, we'll be able to better reach our key groups with the messages they need to hear."  

So there you have it! That's how Capital Partners for Education got their pro bono needs "done in a day."  

Feedback from the event:

“The depth of expertise was first-class.”

-DC STEM Network  

“I can’t believe they’re talking to me for free!”

-Capital Partners for Education

As part of Taproot Foundation's goal to  encourage more nonprofit organizations to take advantage of quality pro bono resources, Taproot put out a challenge to professionals across the country. The Make It Matter Challenge asked individuals and groups to submit big ideas that could inspire more nonprofit employees to use pro bono resources. 

LinkedIn stepped in to support the Make It Matter Challenge and offered the two winners  $10,000 in cash and $5,000 for their favorite nonprofit. The four finalist has the opportunity to present their ideas to Reid Hoffman (the Executive Chairman and Co-Founder of LinkedIn). 

The aim of the Make It Matter Challenge was to get some ideas about how to scale high-quality pro bono, which would help the non-profits achieve their missions which will lead to big social change. 

Original Source: http://www.taprootfoundation.org/support-probono/pro-bono-summit

After four days of dynamic and engaging workshops, design sessions and panel discussions on pro bono, the 2014 Global Pro Bono Summit has exceeded expectations. In tandem with the BMW Foundation’s 17th Transatlantic Forum, the Summit brought together global leaders from across different sectors to share insights and develop strategies to drive the pro bono movement forward. More than 200 individuals met in San Francisco, California to roll up their sleeves, strengthen the pro bono ethic and dive deep on new and innovative ways to engage and grow the field.

ABOUT

The Global Pro Bono Summit is the annual gathering of leaders from across sectors and professions with a shared vision to make the talents and skills of the business community accessible to organizations serving our collective good.

FORMAT

The Global Pro Bono Summit is an intimate, invitation-only gathering organized around convenings of leaders from companies + professional services firms and nonprofit intermediaries from the U.S. and around the world. The Summit is a presentation-free zone where leaders engage in interactive discussions, design sessions and facilitated breakouts to enable the sharing of best practices and spark field-changing ideas.

An Excerpt from Taproot Foundation’s Book “Powered by Pro Bono”

  In 1942, the Ad Council was born, and so was the field of public service advertising. The Ad Council was founded as a nonprofit organization marshaling pro bono talent from the advertising and communications industries to deliver critical messages to the American public. From early efforts such as “Loose Lips Sink Ships” and Smokey Bear’s “Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires” to the iconic “Friends Don’t Let Friends Drive Drunk,” Ad council slogans are woven into the very fabric of American culture.

Twenty years after the founding of the Ad Council, President John F. Kennedy urged lawyers to use their skills to fight the battle for civil rights in the courtroom. He created The Lawyer’s Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, dedicated to upholding civil rights protections by harness the power of private attorneys and firms pro bono, as well as conducting advocacy and educating the public. This institution played a vital role fighting on behalf of people who faced discrimination and opened law centers staffed by top lawyers from top law firms to work pro bono in the South. In the 1970s and 1980s their work became commonplace nationwide, on issues ranging from school desegregation to employment discrimination. “Doing it pro bono” is now an integral part of what it means to be a legal professional in this country- and part of being a valued member of the legal community.  

In 1963, President John F. Kennedy urged the private legal community to engage in pro bono service to help the civil rights movement.  Pro bono consulting now involves all types of professions including marketing, IT and human resources.  Since 1994, MLK day has been considered a day of service to honor Dr. King and organizations across the country have made the day a "day on" rather than a "day off." 

  This past MLK day on Monday January 20th, Taproot DC partnered with Impact and DC Social Innovation Project for the inaugural MLK Pro Bono Dream Lab. The Dream Lab brought together nonprofit organizations, skilled volunteers, and community members in Washington, DC to advance the pro bono ethic.

During the Dream Lab, professional skilled volunteers were matched with selected organizations to assists with pre-defined pro bono projects in the areas of design, marketing, human resources, IT and strategy. The first MLK Pro Bono Dream Lab was able to help 18 organizations and engage 30 volunteers from the DC area. Over $12,000 in pro bono consulting was generated. 

Taproot DC would like to wish you a Happy New Year! 

An excellent way to fulfill one of those New Years Resolutions of self improvement is donating your skills and time pro bono. 

Taproot Foundation provides nonprofit organizations with service grants that are staffed by business professionals that are donating their services pro bono. Become a pro bono consultant for Taproot Foundation and you will use your skills to help nonprofits and get the ball moving forward in all of our communities. 

To learn more check out Taproot Foundation's Website:  

                   This January 20, 2014 during the annual MLK Day of Service, the MLK Pro Bono Dream Lab will empower organizations and community members in Washington, DC to continue advancing Dr. King’s dream. Organized by DC Social Innovation Project, IMPACT, and Taproot Foundation DC, the MLK Pro Bono Dream Lab will bring together skilled volunteers, community members, and local organizations for a day of impact through pro bono service.

Taking place each year on the third Monday in January, the MLK Day of Service is the only federal holiday observed as a national day of service – a “day on, not a day off”. The MLK Pro Bono Dream Lab will provide a meaningful opportunity for DC-area organizations and individuals to share skills and work together to advance Dr. King’s dream of opportunity for all.

How it will work…

Skilled volunteers will be matched with selected organizations to assist with a pre-defined pro bono project in the areas of design and marketing, human resources, IT, and strategy. Community members interested in launching or growing a community program will be matched with experts in the non-profit sector who will provide advice and guidance.

Community members can sign-up to meet for up to an hour with an expert. Organizations can sign-up for a specific need and work with a skilled volunteer during the event and during the days following the event. Location is TBD.