Compass forges lasting ties between local nonprofits and local business professionals to empower thriving, equitable, resilient communities. Build your professional network, chart a path to nonprofit board service, and gain invaluable experience and career development while giving back to the community.
Contact: Melissa Lapica, Managing Director at mlapica@compassprobono.org
Consulting Program Overview
Compass offers volunteer opportunities based upon your skills, experience, and availability. Business professionals are assigned to a team of five to six volunteer consultants to serve on a project for one of our nonprofit clients. Projects run from late January through May.
The volunteer application closed on January 13. If you would like to be placed on the volunteer waitlist, please fill out this form.
Volunteer Roles
Teams are composed of five/six volunteers: one Project Leader and four to five Team Members. We are looking for enthusiastic and empathetic business professionals who are prepared to partner with nonprofits for the entirety of the project. It’s critical that volunteers enjoy team-based work and have the availability to attend regular team meetings. We do not accept anyone currently enrolled in undergrad, or full-time graduate programs.
Project Leader Profile
- Project Leaders should have an MBA, similar advanced degree, and/or significant management consulting or business experience
- 3-5+ years of consulting/project management experience preferred
- Availability to spend 4-6 hours per week from January through May leading a team of five volunteers on a consulting project for one of our nonprofit clients
Team Member Profile
- Professionals at all stages of career with expertise in consulting, strategy, law, finance, marketing, technology, data analytics, nonprofit management, organizational design, communications/PR, entrepreneurship, and more
- Availability to spend 3 hours per week from January through May on a consulting project for one of our nonprofit clients
Serving on a Project
At the start of the projects, volunteers are required to attend our virtual Volunteer Orientation and Service Line trainings. We also provide access to research and past project materials in an online Toolkit.
Each team decides when to hold regular team meetings, most team meetings will be conducted virtually. However, we strongly encourage teams to visit clients sites and gather in person in accordance with public health guidelines.
Application Process
Our online application collects your educational and professional background information, and also asks you to state your interest for each of our nonprofit clients and their projects. Staffing decisions are made by matching an applicant’s skills and project interests to the projects being offered.
The volunteer application closed on January 13. If you would like to be placed on the volunteer waitlist, please fill out this form.
If you would like to be added to our email list to receive updates, please contact mlapica@compasschicago.org.
On Demand Program Overview
On Demand engagements are short-term (eight weeks) pro bono services in which Compass matches one volunteer with one nonprofit to address an immediate strategic challenge.
Volunteer applications are accepted year round. Apply to On Demand Here.
Volunteer Roles
The On Demand Program has two options, Consulting Projects or Thought Partners. The application allows you to note which type you’re interested in.
Thought Partners
Compass connects seasoned business professionals with nonprofit leaders. In a confidential setting, Thought Partners provide a trusted ear for scenario planning, courses of action, and may also facilitate conversations among board, staff, and leadership. Depending on a client’s needs, a Thought Partner may offer several informal calls or schedule formal check-ins with an agenda. Thought Partner Profile:
— 10+ years of consulting, business, nonprofit, or executive-level experience
— Specialized experience in the project areas you select below
— Available to the client for 1-2 hours/week for up to 8 weeks
— Please note we do not accept current students.
Consulting Projects
Projects address a single issue. Compass connects nonprofits to a business professional with the expertise to quickly understand and address an immediate challenge with tailored recommendations. Volunteer consultants are not expected to support implementation, although many do continue to work with their client in a personal capacity after an engagement concludes. On Demand Consultant Profile:
— 3+ years of work experience
— Specialized skills in the project areas you select below
— Ability to work independently with a senior-level client
— Available for 2-4 hours/week for up to 8 weeks
— Please note we do not accept current students.
Application Process
Our online application collects your educational and professional background information. Your application will then be added to our pool of available volunteers. If your skills and background match a nonprofit request, you will be contacted for a brief interview to confirm your availability, interest, and skills.