A whopping 63% of nonprofits reported a decrease in funding due to COVID-19. Now more than ever, you’re asked to go above and beyond with less and less. If this sounds familiar, we might have a solution for you—pro bono services.
Pro bono? We can hear you saying “but I don’t need a lawyer…” Maybe you don’t. But you might be able to use the help of industry experts in marketing, HR, technology, finance, or strategy—all volunteering their skills and time to help you achieve your mission. That’s pro bono, too.
So what can your nonprofit organization do with the help of pro bono consultants or skilled volunteers?
Here are a few ideas from the Taproot team about how to do more with less.
1. Think about the types of projects you typically hire a contractor for.
Does your organization’s website need a refresher? Maybe you’re looking for a compelling brochure to share your nonprofit’s mission. Those projects are tough to complete if you’re operating on a shoestring budget. But with the help of a skilled website or graphic design volunteer, you can make it happen.
2. Are there empty seats in your organization?
Is your new nonprofit getting off the ground with a skeleton staff? Or maybe your organization simply doesn’t have the budget to hire a staff person dedicated to HR or marketing. Projects like developing an HR policy manual or creating a brand strategy require a level of expertise that’s hard to learn from a blog or article. If you don’t have the right expertise on staff, you can tackle these projects with the help of skilled volunteers.
Tip: Contemplating a project outside of your area of expertise, or want to brainstorm or troubleshoot a challenge? A conversation may be all it takes to get your juices flowing. Connect with an industry professional for a one-hour consultation call on everything from performance evaluations to digital strategy through a Taproot Plus consultation session.
3. A company generously donated <insert the latest software or new technology>, but no one knows what to do with it…
So you’ve got a new customer relationship management system or piece of technology, but you don’t have the bandwidth to learn how to use and implement the system organization wide. Volunteer IT experts can help you customize your <insert new technology> and set up the necessary processes for implementation. It’s a lot less painful with the help of people who know what they’re doing. We promise.
Tip: There are over 75,000 professionals in technology, marketing, HR, finance, strategy, and more, signed up to help your organization on Taproot Plus. Take a look at what’s possible with this catalog of common projects.
With the help of professionals volunteering their time and talent, 2022 could be the year your organization takes its infrastructure to the next level.
Find a skilled volunteer who can support your organization on these projects…and more!
Adapted from a blog on Ad Council’s AdLibbing by Crystal Hendricks-Kretzer, Taproot Foundation’s former Marketing & Communications director
