Major Private Sector Commitment to Pro Bono a Landmark Win for the Movement

Making a commitment to pro bono

Taproot Foundation, a nonprofit connecting business professionals in pro bono service to organizations working towards social good, and Deloitte, a leading professional services organization, are joining forces once again to drive the pro bono marketplace forward. Deloitte recently announced an expanded commitment to providing $110 million in pro bono services to nonprofits by 2015, and has signed on with Taproot as a sponsor of Pro Bono Week 2013 to help inspire others to follow suit. A long-time supporter of Taproot and one of the key architects of the pro bono movement, Deloitte is working to make pro bono an indelible part of the philanthropic fabric of America.

“Pro bono service has emerged as a critical component of transformative social change,” says Caroline Barlerin, director of global employee community engagement in HP’s Office of Sustainability and Social Innovation and Taproot emeritus board member. “It’s one of the most effective ways for companies to harness their enormous human potential to achieve the greatest social impact.”

Cathy Benko, vice chairman and managing principal, Corporate Citizenship, Deloitte LLP sees pro bono as an impactful way to bring “what we do best” we’ve challenged ourselves to go from more passive and episodic to ongoing and active giving,” Benko said.  “Pro bono provides an effective way for us to be active givers and deliver an extraordinary and sustained impact as perceived by the nonprofits we serve, by our talent who serve them, and the brand and business value derived.”

The tradition of Pro Bono Week

Pro Bono Week is celebrated from October 20^th-26^th to recognize and activate the pro bono ethic across all professions by highlighting the thousands of hours donated each year by business professionals in marketing, legal, HR, strategy, IT and other services. Inspired by the American Bar Association, Pro Bono Week has evolved into an opportunity to shine a spotlight on the outstanding work of business professionals who donate their professional expertise throughout the year and to inspire a critical mass of pro bono activity across the country.

Every year, business professionals donate over $15 billion in pro bono services in marketing, HR, strategy, design and technology. This influx of resources for the nonprofit sector is made possible by leaders who have stepped forward to make pro bono part of the fabric of their professional lives. They are changing the very definition of civic engagement and innovating on how change happens.

In addition to serving as a lead sponsor for Pro Bono Week 2013, Deloitte is participating in events across the country, including Taproot’s Pro Bono Campfire in Washington, D.C., and the Get Inspired and Get to Work event alongside Taproot in Chicago. Contact Stacey@taprootfoundation.org  for more information.

Are you ready to buildout your company’s pro bono program? During Pro Bono Week connect with us. 

ABOUT PRO BONO WEEK

Pro Bono Week is a global celebration of the pro bono ethic across all professions that use their talents to make a difference. Inspired by the American Bat Association’s National Celebration of Pro Bono, Taproot works with partners around the globe to focus attention on the pro bono movement each year during the third week of October.