Multi-Client Pro Bono
We have been toying for a number of years with the idea of creating pro bono projects that would serve more than a single client.
Salesforce.com is an example of this model. They donate their CRM platform to nonprofit organizations. That isn't really an act of pro bono work but more like a product donation. What is pro bono about Salesforce.com's model is that they had a team create a configuration especially for these nonprofits, which made their product easier to use increased its adoption.
In this case, to be able to design and implement this single model it probably took them about as much effort as it would for 10 of their usual implementations, but now it can be used by hundreds--or perhaps even thousands--of nonprofits. High leverage leading to high impact.
The open source movement in general falls into this category. Software developers create software that can then be used by any organization (commercial or social benefit).
These are tech examples, but the same concept can apply to different functional areas. I wrote recently about the logical marketing application (see here). Rather than doing positioning for a single nonprofit, you do meta-positioning for a category of nonprofits (e.g. homeless shelters), which allows you to create a strong unified voice and make it easier each respective organization to develop their own positioning that differentiates them from the field while also reinforcing the meta-positioning.
This could also be done in HR by creating generic systems for recruitment, performance management and other key functions that get an organization 80% of the way to the goal. A more complex HR version might be the creation of a unified pro bono recruitment services. Such a service would centralize and qualify candidates for nonprofits that could operate in a handful of key roles. This would essentially leverage the skills and capacity of a search firm but by working with dozens of clients the centralized function would make sure the right fit was happening across the entire network. Similarly, an HR department could create a training program on key skills, like management, for the employees of all their nonprofit grantees.
On the Strategic Management side of the equation, you could do meta-market research, which would support the strategic planning for a whole category of nonprofits so that they don't need to each do it on their own. Bridgespan does some of this work now, but it is still very macro (across a wide range of nonprofits). Instead, imagine an annual report on the homeless services providers that speaks to different funding models, staffing models, program approaches, metrics used and other key research. Few nonprofits can afford to do such extensive research, which when conducted on a national scale can really identify powerful trends and best practices. Such research and reporting could be done for a dozen different types of common nonprofits.
While there is a need for custom pro bono work for each nonprofit, all pro bono work would be more efficient and effective if companies and professional services firms could take on some of these multi-client projects that would raise the collective bar.
This could be combined with the "Canary in the Coal Mine" concept to become a powerful lobbying tool.
http://www.openarchitecturenetwork.org/
Architecture for Humanity’s Open Architecture Network works along the lines that you’ve suggested here. The online open source community allows designers to collaboratively generate design ideas to improve living conditions globally. Created pro bono (Sun Microsystems and AMD donated technology services and engineers to build and host the network), the site performs as a project management system for designers to address design challenges, freely use and adapt existing solutions, and implement projects on a cost-effective basis for sustainable impact. With over 1,300 projects in the works, the network enables 5 billion potential clients to access design skills and expertise of its almost 10,000 members. Could this model be leveraged for other industries?
I think there is a definite application for this multi-client pro bono work in conjunction with the AmeriCorps*VISTA program, especially with meta-positioning for a certain category of nonprofits. The problems facing organizations working with or interested in working with VISTA seem to fall into the following three categories: 1. How to start a VISTA program at the organization- writing the concept paper and grant, choosing VISTAs versus another AmeriCorps program 2. Recruitment, hiring and managing VISTA members 3. Community building for VISTAs across the organization- keeping members engaged and focusing on both the AmeriCorps and organizational mission. I envision this looking similar to some of the HR service grants, especially for the latter two issues.
Dear Aaron, I emailed this message to Kandace and Aaron today regarding my situation with Washinton Parks & People - I want to do it pro bono- they will not let me! FYI.
I regret that am writing this message but feel it necessary for me to voice my concern.
Several of my messages to Aaron cited interest in with several foundations. Lew Bobbit responded with an email early in August with high sense of interest in my marketing background. Lew asked me for times and days we could discuss the position on the phone with Washington Parks. He never called me. I wrote Lew several emails and he responded with his busy agenda of vacation and business trips.
Then Lew wrote and asked me to respond ASAP - he wanted to know if I would be the Project Leader on the effort. I responded with a no, did not have the time. Then I didn't hear from him again.
I wrote Lew again, he said thanks for my patience, but he is eagerly finding a person to fill that slot, and I was pretty much on hold to see if I would still participate - he said the Project Leader would have to interview me.
Today I get this below message, and bottom line, I am insulted. I have been patient and eager and willing to devote my time and expertise, free of charge, and the treatment with this cold process and final letter is condescending.
I am now considering finding another non-profit who will recognize me as a valuable contributor. I'd been given such rave reviews about Taproot, I had high expectations, now just disappointment.
Best,
Dee Rogers
215.375.4555
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