NIC

For Nonprofits

Pro Bono Consulting

Vetted, trained business experts help your nonprofit tackle its most pressing business challenges - for free.

Compass Pro Bono scopes the challenge, recruits and vets skilled volunteers, hand-picks the right team, trains consultants, and supports your engagement from start to finish so your organization can focus on mission impact.

Start your applicationSchedule a scoping call

What Compass Helps With

Compass does the hard work of curating your project.

You can focus on what matters most while Compass shapes the engagement around a challenge consultants can actually solve.

  • Scope a business challenge that consultants can solve
  • Recruit and thoroughly vet skilled volunteers
  • Match your organization with volunteers who fit your needs
  • Train volunteer consultants to work with your team effectively
  • Support your staff, board, and consultants throughout the engagement

How Pro Bono Consulting Works

From application to practical deliverable.

  1. 01

    Apply

    Schedule a scoping call, share the business challenge your nonprofit is facing, and complete a short application.

  2. 02

    We assemble your team

    Compass matches you with skilled local volunteers from leading companies who have relevant expertise.

  3. 03

    Collaborate on solutions

    Your volunteer consultant or consulting team works with your staff and/or board over the course of the engagement.

  4. 04

    Implement and grow

    Your organization receives a practical deliverable that helps you put solutions into action.

Minimum Eligibility Requirements

Pro bono consulting is designed for nonprofits in Compass communities.

Learn more about eligibility
  • Be a registered IRS 501(c)(3) organization
  • Have an active Board of Directors
  • Serve communities in one of Compass Pro Bono's metro regions: Chicago, Washington DC, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New York City, or Philadelphia
  • Focus core programs on social justice, social services, or community well-being
  • Not be primarily engaged in lobbying or advancing partisan political outcomes
  • Faith-affiliated nonprofits may be eligible if they do not limit services to people of one faith and are not seeking support to expand worship or advance religious teaching

Program Options

Program options for different kinds of support.

On Track

Free, in-depth guidance for complex strategic challenges.

Best for nonprofits that need larger business or organizational questions that require a full consulting team and deeper analysis.

  • 4-8 months
  • Team of 4-10 consultants
  • Minimum staff size requirement varies by city
  • Best for complex strategic challenges

On Demand

Free, quick, high-impact support for acute business challenges.

Best for nonprofits that need focused help on a specific strategic question or short-term challenge.

  • 8 weeks
  • 1:1 support with a consultant
  • No minimum organizational budget requirement
  • No minimum staff size requirement
  • Matched on an ongoing basis based on volunteer availability

Executive Coaching

Free, tailored coaching to strengthen nonprofit leadership.

Best for nonprofits that need executive directors and ceos navigating uncertainty, complex decisions, or leadership strain.

  • 6-12 weeks
  • Four private 1:1 sessions
  • 60-90 minutes per session
  • Minimum $250K budget and 3 full-time equivalent paid staff

All programs are offered at no cost to eligible nonprofits, thanks to our generous pro bono community.

On Track

In-depth consulting for strategic challenges.

Receive an entire team of hand-picked volunteer consultants equipped to tackle your organization's complex strategic challenge.

What you'll get

A customized, evidence-based game plan to move your organization forward.

Who you'll work with

Vetted local business professionals from a variety of industries, many of whom hold MBAs from top-tier institutions.

On Track project service lines

  • Board Development
  • Decision Support
  • Funding Strategy
  • New Ventures
  • Organizational Performance and HR
  • Partnerships, Collaborations, and Mergers
  • Strategic Alignment
  • Strategic Marketing
  • Sustainability Analysis: Financial Planning and Risk Assessment
  • Technology, Data, and AI Strategy
Schedule a scoping call

Ready to find the right consulting support?

Compass Pro Bono can help you clarify your challenge and connect with skilled volunteers who can move your work forward.

Start your applicationSchedule a scoping call