Welcome to the Taproot Foundation's newsroom, which contains a wealth of information on best practices in pro bono work, trends in volunteerism, and Taproot Foundation's latest news.

Pro bono: The new model for corporate giving
The Western Edition - January 2, 2010
As many in the non-profit community prepare resolutions and goals for the New Year, some are considering the challenges they will face as the corporations they depend on for financial support continue to restructure and reassess their giving. ...more

Pro Bono Spreading With The Recession
Forbes - August 5, 2009
In March Seattle's cast architecture and the nonprofit Urban Sparks developed a pitch for a $35 million community center in the city's quirky Fremont neighborhood, known for its statues of Lenin and an 18-foot troll crushing a Volkswagen Beetle. ...more

Pro Bono Meets The Public Company
Forbes - August 5, 2009
It's easy to see, during this recession, why formal pro bono programs are attracting the attention of an increasing number of large public corporations which previously dismissed such volunteer efforts as only for law and accounting firms. ...more

How to get a job by volunteering
Examiner.com - August 5, 2009
I tell my clients all the time that volunteering in the right capacity will get you working faster. Some scoff that they don’t have enough time because they are too busy searching for work. Some say that it doesn’t really work. Some believe that volunteering for their local Job Club is enough. I say: you’re wrong, and I’ll prove it. ...more

Op-Ed: Making the Most of a Wave of Volunteers
The Chronicle of Philanthropy - June 4, 2009
Americans' interest in volunteering is so high lately that for many nonprofit groups every day feels like Thanksgiving at a soup kitchen. Far more people are offering their time than can be easily accommodated. ...more

A service nation
The Economist - April 8, 2009
In a Manhattan park on March 31st the Unemployment Olympics took place. Participants competed in events such as the "Telephone Toss" and "Pin the Blame on the Bosses". ...more

Charities tap skills of jobless professionals
The San Francisco Chronicle - March 23, 2009
When the economy slumped, Althea Collins was among 100 people let go in November from Fair Isaac Co. in San Rafael, the firm that created the FICO credit score system to determine loan interest rates. ...more

From the Ranks of Jobless, A Flood of Volunteers
The New York Times - March 15, 2009
Until November, Lisa Traina had a classic New York glamour job: organizing private parties in the Art Deco opulence of the Rainbow Room. ...more

Even Pro Bono Work Requires Doing Your Homework First
The New York Times - March 13, 2009
ONE common piece of advice given to the newly laid off is to seek volunteer work until a paid job comes along. At a minimum, volunteer work will get you out of bed in the morning. And in the best case, it can both do some good and lead to future employment. ...more

Volunteers swarm to help Seattle-area nonprofits
Puget Sound Business Journal - March 13, 2009
Call it job-search therapy, skills development or simply community assistance. No matter how it’s labeled, local volunteerism is way up. ...more

Resume Builders: Charities See Increase in Volunteers Fueled by Laid-Off Workers Sharing Their Skills and Time
Chronicle of Philanthropy - March 12, 2009
Last year, as a president of an Atlanta bank, Paul Broughton negotiated and managed multimillion-dollar commercial loans. These days, he helps people balance their checkbooks. Mr. Broughton was laid off from Neighborhood Community Bank in December and is seeking a new position in the banking world. ...more

Layoff Survival: Ways to Keep Your Skills Sharp
Associated Press - March 11, 2009
Losing a job can mean losing more than just a paycheck. Without some planning, an extended layoff can cause job skills to fade and make someone less attractive to potential employers. ...more

Laid Off? Volunteer! Here's Why And How
Forbes - February 24, 2009
Becky Groom always wanted to volunteer, but she had little time for it during her 19 years in business operations at Washington Mutual. ...more

Interview with Lindsay Firestone, Manager of Strategic Partnerships
Fox News Happening Now - March 17, 2009
Fox News correspondent interviews Lindsay Firestone about the increase in volunteers during a recession and the challenges nonprofits face getting sufficient funding to manage their increased volunteer pool.