When Samanthia Achuff, a Salesforce.com employee, volunteered to train nonprofits in technology at a “Tech Teach-in” last April, she didn’t know that her two hours would eventually turn into 330. “It’s an amazing testament to how much a single volunteer engagement can grow exponentially,” said Carol Guttery, Director of Employee Engagement at Salesforce.com Foundation. After Sam’s first two-hour volunteer shift, Salesforce.com designed a series of three “Success Clinics” with Community Technology Network, and hosted 20 nonprofits to help them improve their reporting with technology.
Leading organizations like Salesforce.com have joined more than 400 businesses across the country to help nonprofits build their capacity through pro bono as part of A Billion + Change, a swiftly growing national pro bono movement. Just last week, 11 Bay Area companies –including eBay, Symantec, Autodesk and Advent Software-- pledged to create pro bono opportunities in the year ahead at a half-day summit A Billion + Change organized at PG&E’s headquarters, in partnership with Taproot Foundation and ACCP.
Nearly 100 of the Bay Area’s top business, social entrepreneurs and civic leaders gathered at this summit to recognize trailblazers meeting the unique social needs of the region through skills-based and pro bono service, and to encourage others to join A Billion + Change.
Here’s what we learned:
Pro bono is the next evolution of social impact: As foundation giving remains flat, Heather McLeod Grant, author of Forces for Good: The Six Practices of High-Impact Nonprofits and keynote speaker at the event, described pro bono as “the next evolution of social impact in our world.”
Donor relationships are shifting to a more dynamic partnership model: We’re seeing a shift from a static, one-way donor relationship between corporations and nonprofits to a more dynamic, partnership-based relationship that encompasses cash giving, board service and pro bono support for professional development, as in the case of PG&E’s support of the Marine Mammal Center.
Skills-based service is a strategic talent management tool for businesses. 76% of Deloitte employees said pro bono projects led to professional skills development. PG&E views pro bono as a vehicle for employee engagement. “People can coalesce around pro bono programs,” said Ezra Garrett, PG&E’s Vice President of Community Relations and Chief Sustainability Officer.
Public-private partnerships are emerging to scale impact. Shannon Spanhake, Deputy Innovation Officer for the City of San Francisco, described how the City is interested in leveraging partnerships with groups like Fuse Corps and Code for America to take advantage of skilled volunteers.
Pro bono is simply part of the culture at small businesses. Jennifer Benz, Founder and CEO of Benz Communications in San Francisco, shared how her firm, like many small businesses, ties their pro bono work to professional development goals, and how giving back their skills and talents is baked into their organizational culture.
"Pro bono work can be a huge advantage for small businesses—we can all make a tremendous impact by sharing our expertise in this way," said Benz.
In June, we will celebrate a defining milestone of mobilizing the largest commitment of pro bono service in history. Won’t you join us to see your company listed among those leading this historic effort?
Join A Billion + Change—we’ve made it easier than ever
Read media coverage of our event in San Francisco Magazine
- Read the press release
Download the summit agenda