How to Use Competencies Map
The Competencies Map was designed based on input from key stakeholders regarding what information they needed to better understand common nonprofit needs and what professional expertise might be available to deliver each project type. Find the user example that best applies to you to help you navigate through the Map.
Corporate User
Scenario: As a corporate community engagement manager, you have received a request from a nonprofit partner for pro bono branding support.
Navigation Tips
1. Use the Select by Project function to identify the relevant project category (in this case Marketing/Branding).
2. For the selected category, scroll through the projects to find the one that best matches the need of your nonprofit partner.
3. You’ll see three helpful pieces of information appear under the selected project type: the viability rating, the risks associated with that project type, and the occupations that often can deliver that type of project.
4. Consider the pro bono viability rating and associated risks for that project before deciding to undertake it. For a successful project you need to ensure that your potential pro bono client and your employees are well aware of the common risks, and ensure that the project scope and engagement management mitigates them appropriately. (Refer to the Map Legend for more information about each of the potential risks.)
5. Note the occupations used to deliver this type of project and consider the employees in your company who can offer the expertise needed.
With this information you now have a sense of whether your community partner’s need is one that your employee base can address through pro bono service, and whether the risks associated with that project are prohibitive or can be mitigated through some thoughtful planning.
And remember, the key tenet for effective pro bono service is treating the pro bono client like any paying client. That means establishing a clearly defined scope of work that provides the timeline, deliverables, clear roles and responsibilities and desired outcomes for the team of pro bono providers, the pro bono client and your company as a whole at the outset of the project.
Walk-me-through-it tutorial
For more information about delivering high-quality pro bono service, visit our Marketplace. For examples of corporations delivering pro bono services for specific projects, please read about Corporate Case Studies.
Nonprofit User
Scenario: As an Executive Director of a nonprofit, you have a pressing need to improve your staff training but don’t have the funding to hire someone to do it internally. You want to see if this is the type of need that could be addressed through pro bono service and what kind of assistance you’d need to ask for to make it possible.
Navigation Tips
1. Use the Select by Project search function to identify the relevant project category (in this case Human Resources).
2. For the selected category, scroll through the relevant projects to find one that accurately reflects your need. You can click on different project types to see a description of what each project delivers to help select the right one for you.
3. When you select a specific project type, you’ll see three helpful pieces of information appear: the viability rating, the risk levels associated with that project type, and the occupations that can commonly deliver that type of project.
4. Consider the respective pro bono viability rating and associated risks for that project before deciding to pursue it. You’ll need to ensure your organization and the pro bono service providers are well aware of the common risks of that project, and ensure that the project scope and engagement management mitigates them appropriately. (Refer to the Map Legend for more information about each of the potential risks.)
5. If you find a project that fits your needs, note the common occupations used to deliver these types of projects. This information can help you consider the companies or intermediaries located relatively close by that might be able to make available to you those occupations identified. You also should consider Board Members and corporate partners whom with you have an existing relationship. Be prepared to clearly explain your organization’s need and your expectations for the project. Keep in mind there are often culture and jargon barriers that can make an initial conversation more challenging to navigate. You may want to send the Competencies Map description of your preferred project to your contact to help kick off the conversation.
And remember, a key first step in setting up a pro bono project is establishing a clearly defined scope of work that provides the timeline, deliverables, clear roles and responsibilities and desired outcomes for both the pro bono team and your organization from the very beginning of the project.
Walk-me-through-it tutorial
Individual Business Professional User
Scenario: As a business professional on the Board of a nonprofit, want to let the organization know what kinds of pro bono projects you and the expertise of your colleagues could provide.
Navigation Tips
1. Use the Select by Occupation function to identify the occupation that best matches your professional background and expertise.
2. For that occupation, look at the list of related pro bono projects that appears.
3. Click on each of the projects in the list to understand the project’s demand and viability in order to determine which you are equipped to deliver successfully that meet existing needs of the organization.
4. For each project that you identify be sure you also consider the additional occupations that might be needed to deliver the project successfully.
You now can use these project descriptions as a starting point for a discussion with the nonprofit to evaluate if you can help meet a pressing need. It is important also to consider the time commitment that would be necessary by you and the nonprofit for a project to be delivered successfully, as well as any technical knowledge or resources required to sustain the project once it is completed.
And remember, a key first step in setting up a pro bono project is establishing a clearly defined scope of work that provides the timeline, deliverables, clear roles and responsibilities and desired outcomes for both the pro bono team and your organization from the very beginning of the project.
Walk-me-through-it tutorial
Ongoing Updates
We will be updating the Competencies Map on an ongoing basis to reflect new lessons from the field and better meet the needs of its users. If you have a suggestion for how it could be modified or expanded to better meet your needs, please contact us.
