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.
For more information, please read our FAQs or contact Hallie Smith, Tonya Miles or Alexandra Rivera.
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 in February 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
—Â 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.
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 our nonprofit client list.
The Classic Project Volunteer application will open late August 2023.
Volunteer Roles
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.Â
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.
Project Leader Application Deadline: Tuesday, September 13 at 5:00 p.m. - 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.
Team Member Application Deadline: Monday, October 3 at 5:00 p.m.
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 two additional 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.
2022-23 Classic Project Deadlines
- Project Leaders – Tuesday, September 13 at 5:00 p.m.
- Team Members – Monday, October 3 at 5:00 p.m.
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 January through May. Volunteer applications closed on January 19, view our nonprofit client list.
The Micro Project Volunteer application will open mid December 2023.
Volunteer Roles
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.
Teams are composed of five/six volunteers: one Project Leader and four to five 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 mid-January through May leading a team of four/five volunteers. Project Leader application deadline is January 9, 2023. - 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 January through May. Team Member application deadline is January 19, 2023.
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.
Application Deadlines:
- Project Leaders – Monday, January 9, 2023
- Team Members – Thursday, January 19, 2023
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