What is
pro bono consulting?
Volunteer your expertise on a discrete, time-limited, high-impact project as a consultant for a local nonprofit
How we make it easy
We do the hard work, so you can focus on creating outsized impact. We:
- Recruit and thoroughly vet nonprofits
- Prepare nonprofit leaders to work effectively with you
- Structure every project with discrete scope and time bounds
- Hand-curate your assignment to fit your skills and interests
- Train you in everything you need to have a successful outcome
- Actively support you & the nonprofit throughout the entire engagement
Choose how you volunteer
Our pro bono consulting options fit your unique schedule, interests, and goals.
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Live or work in one of our current metro regions
- Not currently enrolled in a full-time, degree-granting program
On Track
Collaborate with a team of business professionals to provide in-depth guidance on a complex challenge
- 4-8 months
- ~3 hours per week
- Teams of 5-9 volunteers
- Project Leader and Team Member roles
- Minimum 1 year work experience
On Demand
Provide one-on-one guidance to a nonprofit leader on an acute, time-sensitive strategic challenge
- 8 weeks
- 1-3 hours per week
- Work directly with one nonprofit leader
- Minimum 5 years work experience
Applications now open in all cities
Volunteer leadership gathering, DC
ON TRACK
Tackle a nonprofitโs complex strategic challenges alongside a team of peers
Our projects are pre-scoped into one of the following service lines:
Board Development
Decision Support
Funding Strategy
New Ventures
Partnerships, Collaborations, & Mergers
Strategic Alignment
Strategic Marketing
Technology and Data Strategy
For each project, we hand-pick a diverse, multi-generational team of local business leaders across industries. Typical teams include volunteers with expertise including but not limited to:
Management consulting
Finance
Marketing & Communications
Data Analytics
Law
Human Resources
Project Leader
OVERVIEW
The key point of contact with the nonprofit CEO, Project Leaders spearhead the scope and strategy of the project, while leading a dedicated team of 4-8 fellow volunteers.
PROFILE
- Significant management consulting or project management experience plus an MBA or similar advanced degree.
- Prior Compass experience preferred, but not required.
COMMITMENT
4-5 hours per week, including weekly team meetings and client calls
Team Member
OVERVIEW
Team Members drive project work streams, participate in weekly team meetings, and actively contribute and participate in client presentations.
PROFILE
- Professionals with a variety of expertise and work experience.
- Prior Compass experience not required.
COMMITMENT
2-3 hours per week, including weekly team meetings
Application Dates & City Specifics
Our volunteer portal makes it easy for you to view and apply for volunteer opportunities. Create an account and get a jumpstart on your volunteering journey.
FALL ON TRACK
Application deadlines: September 23 (Project Leaders), October 7 (Team Members)
Project options:
8-month: mid-October-May 30
4-month: mid-October-late February
SPRING ON TRACK
Application opens: January 6
Application closes: February 4 (Project Leaders), February 14 (Team Members)
Project length: 4 months, late-February-June 27
Got questions? We’re here to help!
Beverly Ross
Program Director – DC
bross@compassprobono.org
FALL ON TRACK
Application deadlines: September 23 (Project Leaders), October 7 (Team Members)
Project options:
8-month, mid-October-May 30
4-month, mid-October-late February
SPRING ON TRACK
Application opens: January 6
Application closes: February 4 (Project Leaders), February 14 (Team Members)
Projects run: 4 months, late-February-June 27
Got questions? We’re here to help!
Tamica Tanksley
Program Director – Philadelphia
ttanksley@compassprobono.org
FALL ON TRACK
Applications have now closed
SPRING ON TRACK
Projects run: late February-June 27
Application opens: January 6
Application closes: February 4 (Project Leaders), February 14 (Team Members)
Got questions? We’re here to help!
Melissa Lapica
Managing Director – Chicago
mlapica@compassprobono.org
FALL ON TRACK
Applications have now closed
SPRING ON TRACK
Application opens: January 6
Application closes: February 4 (Project Leaders), February 14 (Team Members)
Projects run: late February-June 27
Got questions? We’re here to help!
Mary Uran
Managing Director – Twin Cities
muran@compassprobono.org
Volunteer leadership gathering, Philadelphia
ON DEMAND
Work one-on-one with a nonprofit leader to tackle an acute strategic challenge.
Thought Partner
OVERVIEW
In a confidential setting, Thought Partners provide a trusted ear for scenario planning, developing a course of action, or facilitating conversations among board, staff, and leadership. Depending on the clientโs needs, a Thought Partner can be available for informal calls or schedule formal, agenda-driven check-ins.
PROFILE
- 10+ years of consulting, business, nonprofit, or executive-level experience
- Specialized experience in the relevant project area
- Prior Compass experience not required
COMMITMENT
1-2 hours per week for up to 8 weeks
Consultant
OVERVIEW
From best practices research to customized analytic tools, Consultants provide strategic guidance on a discrete business pain point. Consultants are not expected to support implementation, although some choose to volunteer with the nonprofit in a personal capacity post-engagement.
PROFILE
- 5+ years of work experience
- Specialized skills in the relevant project area
- Ability to work independently with a senior-level client
- Prior Compass experience not required
COMMITMENT
2-4 hours per week for 8 weeks
Projects are pre-scoped into one of the following topics. The application allows you to select the topics that you would like to work on.
Finance
- Cash Flow Analysis: Evaluate cash inflows and outflows over a fixed period
- Financial Model Creation: Forecast for revenues and expenses for a fixed period, based on a revised assessment of finances
Fundraising
- Digital Strategy Review: Receive recommendations related to donation engagement online and related processes
- Donor Analysis: Support for identifying most valuable categories of donors for outreach, using historical data and trends
- Map the Donor/Member/Patron Experience: Conduct an audit of donor, member, or patron journey, and provide recommendations to improve interaction across platforms
- Research: Provide an annotated list of relevant grant and funding opportunities
Governance
- Board Development: Review governance challenges (e.g., the articulation of the roles/responsibilities or appropriate activities of a nonprofit board); propose course of action recommendations
- Bylaws and Policies: Review with proposed recommendations for bylaws or policies regarding board operations, may include liabilities
Human Resources
- Benefits and Compensation: Review with recommendations for new or existing policies
- Organizational Management: Evaluate staffing needs, organizational structure, or employee engagement
- Transition/Succession: Develop a plan for future continuity of operations and leadership
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI): Assess existing DEI efforts for updates; develop plan for staff or Board recruitment and retention
Marketing/Communications
- Communications Audit/Strategy Review: Review and/or refine messages for existing communications platforms
- Marketing Strategy Review: Review and recommend a plan, program or event; may include comparative analysis, market research, stakeholder analysis, etc.
Programs
- Partner Identification/Merger Assessment: Review the risks and benefits of a merger or partnerships, may include development of selection criteria, a feasibility review of existing programs, cash flow required to support programs, virtual options, suspension, etc.
- Programs Assessment: Assess feasibility of existing programs, may include review of cash flow required to support programs, virtual options, suspension, and partnerships
Technology
- Data Management: Assess data collection processes, tools, and analysis to better support decision-making
- Scouting: Support to identify requirements for new technology or tools; develop an acquisition and adoption strategy
- Technology Optimization: Assess existing technology capabilities and develop recommendations for more effective use of existing technology
Once you’ve created an account and submitted the application, you’ll be added to our pool of available On Demand volunteers. If a local nonprofit requests a project that matches your expertise, we’ll contact you for a brief interview to confirm your capacity before proceeding with the match.
Eligibility note: Volunteers must live or work in one of our current metropolitan regions
Got questions? We’re here to help!
Lisa Gaffney
Director of On Demand & Strategic Planning
lgaffney@compassprobono.org
Check out case studies on our past work
-
Supporting Therapy Access in Philadelphia
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Empowered board, strengthened future
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Strategic Program Expansion with Tzedek DC
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Volunteers earn Community Partnership Award