Compass is giving away $150K in nonprofit consulting work

Want some free help in making your nonprofit better? Of course you do. Compass is here to help.

Compass is an nonprofit that matches business professionals, especially MBA graduates, with nonprofits that need pro bono consulting work in board development, funding strategy, strategic alignment, and strategic partnerships and collaborations. The nine-month cycle is worth approximately $150,000.

The D.C.-based organization expanded to Philly two years ago and has since conducted 23 projects with over 200 volunteers, totaling $3.6 million in pro bono strategic consulting services, according to Beth Dahle, executive director of Compass Philadelphia.

“Compass’s goal is to connect people to work that is meaningful, well-managed and supported, and ultimately makes a difference in the community,” Dahle wrote in an email. “We have had overwhelming interest from both nonprofit clients as well as business volunteers.”

That translates to 130 business professionals competing for 70 team slots last year, and 25 nonprofits competing for 10 project slots, Dahle said.

Here are some of those 2015-2016 projects:

• North Light Community Center was able to restructure its funding strategy “to develop an earned revenue or social enterprise venture.”
• Smith Memorial Playground and Playhouse was able to conduct a strategic partnerships and collaborations project “for a new program to expand reach and impact.”
• The Welcoming Center was able to conduct a board development project “to evaluate board composition, governance and engagement.”

For its next cycle, Compass will be conducting 10 projects with 90 volunteers. Applications for nonprofits are now open and are due by June 15. Selections will be announced in August. Projects will run from September through May.

To qualify for pro bono consulting, nonprofits’ work must impact the Greater Philadelphia area and not be religiously or politically affiliated, among other requirements.

Compass is holding an information session for potential clients on Monday, May 2, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce. RSVP by Monday, April 25, to Elizabeth Elliott at eelliott@compassdc.org.