Philadelphia

Business Professionals

Volunteering with Compass

Compass forges lasting ties between local nonprofits and local business professionals to empower thriving, equitable, resilient communities. Check out our programs below to learn how you can give back to your community, meet a wide variety of professionals, and connect with local nonprofits.

Read first-hand accounts from our volunteers with Hopeworks and Rebuilding Together Philadelphia.

Applications to volunteer on a consulting team are now closed. If you’d like to be placed on our volunteer waitlist, please fill out this form. If you are interested in 1:1 consulting with a nonprofit, check out our On Demand program below.

For more information, please read our FAQs or contact Samantha Campbell, Associate Program Manager, at scampbell@compassprobono.org.

“I’d like to encourage everyone to consider skills-based volunteering as an incredibly rewarding way to use your talents to give back to the community.”

– Eric Heisler, Distinguished Corporate Skills-Based Volunteer,
Mayor’s Day of Service Recognition 2021

On Demand Program

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, however we will start matching projects Spring 2023.

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

On Demand projects will take place March through September 2023. Our online application collects information on your educational and professional background, as well as your availability during these months. After completing the application, you will be added to our pool of 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.

Classic Consulting Projects

Business professionals are assigned to a team of nine volunteer consultants to serve on a project for one of our nonprofit clients. Projects run from late September through May. View the list of our nonprofit clients.

The application for our 2022-23 Classic Projects is now closed.

Volunteer Roles

We are looking for enthusiastic and empathetic business professionals who are prepared to partner with nonprofits for the entirety of the project. Our volunteers have diverse backgrounds and skills. Many of our volunteers work full-time, while others are retired executives or stay-at-home parents with relevant experience.

Classic Project teams are composed nine volunteers: one Project Leader, one Deputy Project Leader and seven Team Members.

  • Project Leader Role
    Project Leaders should have an MBA, a similar advanced degree, and/or significant management consulting experience. Project Leaders should expect to commit 4-6 hours/week from late September through May leading a team of seven volunteers with the support of a Deputy Project Leader.
  • Deputy Project Leader Role
    Deputy Project Leaders provide additional team leadership. Applications for Deputy Project Leaders are by invitation only to returning volunteers.
  • Team Member Role
    Team Members must have at least one year of post-undergraduate professional experience and may not be current graduate students. Team Members should expect to commit an average of 3 hours/week (including team meetings) from late October through May.

We do not accept anyone currently enrolled in undergrad, or full-time graduate programs.

Serving on a Project

At the start of the projects, volunteers are required to attend our virtual Volunteer Orientation and Service Line trainings. Project Leaders and Deputy Project Leaders attend separate leadership 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.

Philadelphia City Rowing, 2021-22 Client

Micro Consulting Projects

Business professionals are assigned to a team of five volunteer consultants to serve on a project for one of our nonprofit clients. Projects run from late February through June. View the list of our nonprofit clients here.

The application for our 2022-23 Micro Projects is now closed.

Volunteer Roles

Micro Project teams are composed five volunteers: one Project Leader, and four Team Members. Our volunteers have diverse backgrounds and skills. Many of our volunteers work full-time, while others are retired executives or stay-at-home parents with relevant experience.

  • Project Leader Role
    Project Leaders should have an MBA, a similar advanced degree, and/or significant management consulting experience. Project Leaders should expect to commit 4-6 hours/week from late February through June leading a team of four volunteers.
  • Team Member Role
    Team Members must have at least one year of post-undergraduate professional experience and may not be current graduate students. Team Members should expect to commit an average of 3 hours/week (including team meetings) from late February through June.

We do not accept anyone currently enrolled in undergrad, or full-time graduate programs.

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.