Meet Bill, a Taproot Foundation Pro Bono Consultant

Meet Bill. As a 4-time Taproot pro bono consultant, he’s “helping people who know how to help people” and having a pretty good time along the way.

Check out Taproot’s first pro bono consultant profile to get to know Bill and pick up some very handy pointers for your next project, from Key Messages to Brand Strategy and beyond!

Bill Carlson, Pro Bono Consultant

As a marketing professional with more than 30 years of experience, Bill Carlson certainly has what it takes to volunteer his skills and make a huge impact on nonprofits. Since 2009, Bill has applied his skillset (marketing, management, sales, and product development) to amplifying the voices of organizations tackling critical social issues. He has consulted on four Key Messages & Brand Strategy Service Grants, delving into a deep understanding of each nonprofit organization to develop a brand that resonates with key stakeholders and specific audiences. He’s strategized names, logos, and communications, and notably led the volunteer team as Account Director for three of the four projects. For nonprofit organizations who need a voice, Bill’s expertise is just what the doctor ordered.

“I’m not a social worker, or a drug counselor. I can’t do what they do. But I can help them do it.”

Bill’s Pro Bono Pointers

Whether you’re a pro bono novice or a true pro bono professional, Bill’s tips are valuable. His pro bono expertise comes through clearly in his advice to consultants:

• You’re going to pull nonprofits through a process that they have limited experience with. Provide something that the administration is comfortable with and knows how to apply. It does no good to deliver strategy that the organization won’t use. 
• Map what you know to the Taproot process. The power of the Taproot program is honoring the methodology, so read the materials, get comfortable with the steps,  but don’t feel overwhelmed: remember that you have the knowledge of your sector.

Read the rest of Bill’s story.