Compass Pro Bono

Our Compass Pro Bono consulting team celebrates another end of a successful project this one on behalf of The Collective Success Network led by team leaders Ruchika Gupta and Arthur Ellis and teammates Lucero Pizano Ortiz, Lauren Spinelli, and Rashika Mittal. Hoping their financial sustainability and fund raising efforts are improving.

Struggling to get buy-in? We've got you covered. Join our next Compass Connect Conversations workshop on April 8 from 12–1 p.m. ET to learn how to influence without formal authority and persuade decision-makers, board members, and teams — so you can reach your organization's goals and objectives. This free, live workshop will be led by Suzanne de Janasz, Ph.D., an award-winning expert with experience teaching leaders across multiple industries. Spots are limited — secure yours today at?bit.ly/CPB-NoProblem

Join us at the 2025 Sorkin Summit on May 7 to catch expert speakers like Mike Gianoni, CEO of Blackbaud. Mike's keynote will focus on actionable strategies for how corporate leaders and nonprofit partners can reignite involvement, drive meaningful change, and strengthen communities through volunteering. Register now:?bit.ly/sorkinsummit

Calling all Philly nonprofits! On 3/18, our very own Eric Heisler (Board Chair, Compass Pro Bono Greater Philadelphia) will be moderating a panel for The Haverford Trust Company focused on how Greater Philadelphia nonprofits are developing data & tech strategies to advance their missions more efficiently. Leaders from Hopeworks, Coded by:, and the Philadelphia Police Department will discuss opportunities, concrete systems for implementation, and common challenges, helping attendees envision strategies for their own organizations. Register now: https://lnkd.in/dgYEmnxe

Struggling to define a thoughtful approach to AI at your nonprofit? We’ve got your back. Join us this Friday (3/14) to learn from our experiences: bit.ly/CPB-AI

A new research report (bit.ly/CEP-25) from the Center for Effective Philanthropy confirms what I’ve been hearing for weeks from the Compass Pro Bono community – the immense uncertainty created by our current political climate is making it harder for nearly all nonprofits to simply do their work. This challenge comes on top of years of declining donations and decades of declining volunteerism. With government funding upended, institutional philanthropy largely remaining silent, and fears of economic uncertainty fueling individual donor hesitations, I’ve been asked by many what nonprofit board members can do to help their organizations navigate this moment. Here are three quick, and easy, ideas: 1. Check in on your Executive Director. It’s tough to keep the mission moving forward, let alone lead a team, when your community, programs, and clients are under threat, your finances were thrown into disarray overnight, or your organization’s entire existence is being threatened. A short call and a listening ear can go a long way towards helping them feel supported and identifying micro-actions you can take right now to help the organization through this period. 2. Educate yourself on the impact of recent federal actions on your organization (and the sector). Don’t wait for staff to teach you—they’re beyond bandwidth-stretched as it is. A great place to start is the National Council of Nonprofits guide to the impact of recent executive orders on nonprofits (bit.ly/NCN-25). 3. Change how you spend board meeting / committee time. Budget space in meeting agendas for scenario planning. Consider the full range of scenarios, from “what if our funding dries up entirely or a federal policy change forces us to fundamentally change our approach?” to “what if we’re flooded with increased demand or new donations?” Invite staff with knowledge of what is happening on the ground to collaborate in this work. Do you have other ideas for how nonprofit board members can be helpful in this moment? Put them in the comments – I’d love to learn from you. And if you’re a board member who wants to learn more concrete ways you can support your nonprofit, join us for Compass Pro Bono’s annual excellence in nonprofit leadership summit on May 7: https://lnkd.in/eDS8pD4W

Shouting out the Riley's Way Foundation, another org investing in local social impact work from the ground up. Their #CallForKindness campaign offers young changemakers (ages 13-23) the chance to participate in a Leadership Development Fellowship and win up to $5,000 in funding for a project that inspires kindness and strengthens their local, national, or global communities. Applications close on March 9th, 2025! For more info, DM Riley's Way Foundation or visit CallForKindness.org.

Nonprofits are navigating a moment of significant change. On March 14, Compass Pro Bono is hosting a free workshop to help nonprofit leaders integrate #AI at their organizations in a way that frees up staff bandwidth (instead of using up more of it). Register now to join us: bit.ly/CPB-AI

Shout out to our incredible #Philadelphia network -- see the opportunity below:

Hi #Philadelphia, great opportunity to use your skills for good this spring --> check out the open volunteer opportunity below. Financial analysis not your skillset? We've looking for volunteers to be part of marketing, data analytics, communications, research, governance, & business strategy projects for 17 other amazing Philadelphia area nonprofits. Apply through the same link, below.