Often when one hears the term pro bono you think of a law firm. True, but pro bono service can be provided by most any business. In recent years companies have been using their intellectual capital to help solve some of society’s most pressing issues. The same intellectual capital that creates new technology, designs marketing campaigns or guides large workforces. Some call it skills-based volunteering, some call it pro bono. Sometimes it is on the clock and sometimes it is not. What is important is that more businesses are helping organizations be more effective in achieving their missions through brain power.
Deloitte, IBM, HP and McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP use their core competencies to help organizations scale, operate efficiently, be more strategic and build awareness. Small businesses can too, even my business with a mighty team of two. The pro-bono work can be through a formalized program between a company and an organization, working through an intermediary, or it can be developed directly between the two parties. It can take on different forms, from a onetime project to ongoing consultation with individual participants or teams. I have seen projects resulting in the creation of a strategic plan, a human resource policy, a marketing program, to a design for a new client service center.
Recently I participated in a convening of businesses in Los Angeles to discuss the national initiative, A Billion + Change. The mission statement says it best: “A Billion + Change is a national campaign to mobilize billions of dollars of pro bono and skills-based service by 2013 to address core issues our communities face across the country and around the world. Together we will transform how businesses leverage their employees to make a lasting impact on society by engaging, inspiring and mobilizing professional talent to build the capacity of non-profit organizations to better meet community needs.” Jeff Hoffman & Associates, Global Philanthropy & Civic Engagement, took the pledge right alongside most of the Fortune 100. I encourage you to do the same. There is no cost to join the movement plus you gain access to the tools and resources to help your business either get started or be more impactful with your pro bono work. Join me in taking the A Billion + Change pledge!