Skills-Based Volunteering
What is Skills-based Volunteering?
Skilled volunteering refers to companies and individuals volunteering their professional skills to assist nonprofit organizations. Skills based volunteering is increasingly popular among Millennials and Boomers looking to make a tangible impact on their community. This type of volunteering takes place in a variety of contexts and can include all types of professional skills including:
- Accounting: Helping an organization develop stronger financial management practices.
- Social Media: Developing a social media plan for an organization.
- Languages: Translating program materials into another language
- Analytics: Conducting evaluations or working with statistical data
- Construction: Providing expert carpentry skills
- Human Resources: Presenting resume building workshops to students
Are you ready to volunteer your skills? Visit VolunteerNow! To search our online database for skill-based volunteer opportunities.
Why does skills-based volunteering make sense?
For companies, skills-based volunteering can be a great addition to any employee volunteer program. Studies have shown that offering employees volunteer opportunities can boost morale, build teamwork and enhances a company’s public image. Skills-based volunteering has the added benefit of allowing employees to use core skills in real world situations thus serving as cost-effective professional development.
For individuals, skills-based volunteering can provide you with a chance to expand and sharpen your professional skills. Skills-based volunteering enables you to develop your professional experiences while honing your skills for the workplace. In December 2011, Forbes noted that volunteering is a great way to learn executive leadership skills. As an individual you can leverage your skills to make a positive change in a nonprofit organization while advancing your professional goals.
The Power of Pro-Bono Volunteers
Pro-Bono volunteers are a subset of skills-based volunteers; often, pro-bono projects provide nonprofits with expert consulting services that they would otherwise be unable to afford. Typically, pro-bono projects directly impact a nonprofit’s internal operations. These projects can be designed in a variety of impact areas based on the nonprofits needs and ability to implement the changes but focus on strengthening the organizations infrastructure and overall capacity.
Pro-Bono projects engage volunteers in core competences that all organizations need to be efficient and effective such as: Strategic Planning, Human Resources, Organizational Development, Marketing and Communications, Finances and Accounting, Information Technology, Logistics, Fundraising and Program Management. Pro-Bono services are one way that nonprofits are able to secure expertise consulting advice and support which is critical to maintaining a strong, productive organization.
It is important to think through your organizations readiness to leverage skills based, pro-bono volunteers before you recruit a volunteer or a volunteer team. These volunteers can provide transformational help, however it requires a certain amount of infrastructure and planning to make these volunteer(s) work a valuable investment for your organization.
Are you interested in learning more about Skills-Based or Pro-Bono volunteering? Contact Pheobe Bicknell 703-246-3809.
