Taproot Foundation Provides Viable Opportunities to Unemployed Professionals and Nonprofits Seeking Aid
Pro bono Service is a Proven Solution to the Issues Facing the U.S. Workforce and Nonprofit Sector
NEW YORK – April 16, 2009 – The Taproot Foundation, the largest nonprofit service firm in the United States, has played a critical role in supporting both nonprofits and unemployed professionals during the current recession by engaging business professionals and leveraging their skills and talents for nonprofits in need of professional services.
In 2008, Taproot Foundation surveyed 242 nonprofit leaders and found that 87 percent of nonprofit organizations would immediately sign up for pro bono assistance. The survey also found that the need for pro bono services dramatically increased during an economic recession. In the last recession, 40 percent of nonprofits were left in sustained deficits that extended beyond the recession’s end. Organizations such as Taproot Foundation continue to meet the critical needs of nonprofits and add to the overall resilience of the nonprofit community.
“Taproot Foundation understands the critical value nonprofits provide the larger community and has developed an effective strategy that ensures these nonprofits are able to perform and thrive in this challenging environment,” says Aaron Hurst, Founder and President of the Taproot Foundation. “Through our efforts, we have successfully distributed over $50 million in service grants to more than 1000 nonprofits, providing these organizations with the vital services needed to execute in such demanding times.”
Additionally, with job loss at a high—nearly 5.1 million job cuts have been made since December 2007—there has been a significant increase in professionals volunteering their time to pro bono efforts. In fact, Taproot Foundation’s current workforce includes almost 1200 volunteers and continues to grow. Mr. Hurst attributes the more than 100 percent increase in volunteers to the fact that pro bono service offers professionals the opportunity to network, the ideal chance to prospect other fields of career interest and a reason to remain engaged while riding out the recession.
To learn more about the Taproot Foundation, its volunteers and the nonprofits it supports, please visit www.taprootfoundation.org.
About Taproot Foundation
Taproot Foundation was started in 2001 by Aaron Hurst and strengthens nonprofits by engaging business professionals in service. Service Grants are awarded to nonprofits in the areas of marketing, IT, and human resources and professionals in these for-profit sectors donate about 100 hours of time over the course of a 5-6 month project. Taproot serves organizations in the environment, health, social services, and education sectors. Along with the Seattle office, Taproot Foundation also serves nonprofits in Boston, Chicago, New York, and San Francisco.
In addition to the successful Service Grant program, the Taproot Foundation also runs the Pro Bono Action Tank (PBAT). PBAT partners with companies, universities, trade associations, and public interest organizations to help them engage in and promote pro bono services. Through this partnership, Taproot Foundation provides cutting-edge thought leadership, best practices, and convenings necessary to advance the pro bono movement.
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