Pro Bono Consultant Profile
David Sweet
Financial Analyst in San Francisco Bay Area
Background
David has worked as a Private Banker for Wells Fargo in LA and City National Bank in Beverly Hills. He focused on improving revenue cycles for the healthcare sector. He has also been Board Treasurer for Being Alive in West Hollywood, and on the Board for the Jewish Free Loan Association of LA.
Pro Bono Client & Project
Rebuilding Together Oakland, Financial Analysis
What was your Taproot Foundation project?
Rebuilding Together Oakland rehabilitates the homes of low-income elderly and the disabled, so that they continue to live in safety, comfort, and independence. They asked for a financial model to help them determine the true cost, including direct and indirect, of each project/rehab. RTO can utilize this Activity Based Costing model, based in Excel, to both more accurately watch their cash flow and to perfect the levels of 'ask' in their fundraising endeavors. We are proud to say that we are the first team to complete a financial project for the Taproot Foundation!
What was your team experience?
The Taproot Foundation did an incredible job in assembling a highly talented team for RTO. The 5 person team brought extensive project management, financial analysis, and strategic consulting skills to the table. Our collaborative team environment was easy to create and maintain, thanks in large part to our Account Manager, even though we lived and worked in diverse locations from Fremont to Sonoma to San Francisco.
What was your Taproot Foundation project experience?
With the Taproot Foundation, I had the unique opportunity to work with big picture/treetop issues without having to become a board member. I am new to San Francisco, so the Taproot Foundation allows me to work with a variety of nonprofits, to get a lay of the land, before I eventually settle into board membership for just one. The Taproot Foundation was accurate in its prediction of 5 hours per week of work at our discretion. You can put in more or less - the Taproot experience is what you make of it.
What were the biggest challenges?
With everyone's busy schedule (including RTO's), it was somewhat challenging to find a meeting time. We had a few team changes, but the Taproot Foundation was always on hand to provide new talent.
How can the business community and nonprofit sector strengthen one another?
Nonprofits do good deeds to improve the quality of life for people in the community. As nonprofits cannot afford to do this alone, the business community can indirectly to the same via monetary/time donations.
How have you grown from your pro bono work?
I originally got into nonprofit volunteering for resume building and networking opportunities. Where else could I sharpen my business school skills outside of work? I stayed because of the impact my work had on the people who worked in, and were served by the nonprofits. That was more fulfilling than I ever thought it would be.
What do you do when you’re not doing pro bono?
I have a myriad of hobbies. I have a side photography business, and was recently published in the SF Weekly Online for my coverage of the No On Prop 8 rally in San Francisco. I play in 3.5 level USTA tennis tournaments. I'm always up for a card game.
