Communities of all shapes and sizes rely on nonprofits and social change organizations to lead rebuilding and recovery efforts in times of crisis. This year, these organizations have had to address ever-growing community needs while navigating shifts in traditional funding and decreased access to in-person volunteer support. No one can know what the world will throw at us next, but we do know that pro bono can help your nonprofit prepare to face it.
We’re breaking down our nonprofit resource, Building Resiliency Through Pro Bono, project by project to highlight how connections with skilled volunteers can help your team navigate current challenges and strengthen your capacity for years to come. You can check out our first project highlight on board recruitment strategy here, and read our latest project highlight on HR assessment below.
How will HR assessment help build resiliency?
Build resiliency by assessing where your organization stands internally, brainstorming how to improve upon weaknesses, and leaning into organizational strengths. Investigating which HR policies should be implemented, researching new remote work standards, or conducting an internal engagement survey can all be elements of this work. If your organization is among the 26% of nonprofits that have had to decrease their staff size due to the pandemic, you can use this assessment to get a better understanding of how to operate with a scaled back team.
26% of nonprofits report that their number of employees has decreased due to COVID-19.
Source: Taproot Foundation’s 2020 Nonprofit Resiliency Survey
How long will this project take?
A typical pro bono HR assessment project takes from 24-32 hours to complete. Keep in mind that your volunteer partner will be sharing around two to four hours of their time with your team per week. Prep your project for success with tips on setting timelines and communications expectations here.
Any other tips for making the most of an HR assessment pro bono project?
Be extremely clear with your volunteer and internal team about what is and what is not in scope. Will this project just cover fact-finding, or will it involve making recommendations? Be crystal clear about your desired outcome. Get some tips on creating an original scope of work for your pro bono work here, and check out some pre-scoped assessment projects to help your nonprofit dig into your IT, Marketing, or HR needs here.
What other related projects can I knock off the to-do list using pro bono support?
- HR Handbook
- Performance Management Process
- Benefits Analysis
