What is Skills-Based Volunteering?

Skilled volunteering refers to companies and individuals using 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.

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. 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:

• Board Strategic Planning
• Human Resources
• Organizational Development
• Marketing and Communications
• Finances and Accounting
• Information Technology
• Logistics
• Fundraising
• 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.