The Corporate Philanthropist: Pro Bono Service - Page 9
Page 9 of 12
Points of Light: Matching Corporate Assets with Nonprofit Needs
All types of volunteerism and service are fundamental for a vibrant and democratic society. Service can include informal activity, such as helping at a school or religious organization; traditional volunteer activities, such as a soup kitchen feeding or house building project; as well as more skills-based efforts or corporate pro bono initiatives. Pro bono service, specifically, can have a vital impact on the capacity and long-term health of nonprofits.
As someone who has worked in the nonprofit sector for nearly twenty years, I have seen the power of pro bono service on the local and national level. I most recently experienced this in Accenture’s valuable support of more than $1 million in pro bono services towards the successful merger of Points of Light & Hands On Network. While professional services firms are often more readily able to integrate pro bono work into their corporate giving platform, we have been fielding many requests from other types of companies interested in increasing pro bono support but needing creative ideas as to how they might bring their organization’s skills to bear. The above examples include some of the unique opportunities for corporations to support nonprofit organizational needs through pro bono service. These ideas may spark creative thinking within your company.While finding the right nonprofit partners for pro bono service opportunities will take extra vetting, look first to the organizations with which your company has ongoing relationships. This allows you to start with a common understanding of mission, values, and culture of both parties.
As someone who has worked in the nonprofit sector for nearly twenty years, I have seen the power of pro bono service on the local and national level. I most recently experienced this in Accenture’s valuable support of more than $1 million in pro bono services towards the successful merger of Points of Light & Hands On Network. While professional services firms are often more readily able to integrate pro bono work into their corporate giving platform, we have been fielding many requests from other types of companies interested in increasing pro bono support but needing creative ideas as to how they might bring their organization’s skills to bear. The above examples include some of the unique opportunities for corporations to support nonprofit organizational needs through pro bono service. These ideas may spark creative thinking within your company.While finding the right nonprofit partners for pro bono service opportunities will take extra vetting, look first to the organizations with which your company has ongoing relationships. This allows you to start with a common understanding of mission, values, and culture of both parties.
About Points of Light & Hands On Network
