BVU Building Awareness of Pro Bono in Northeast Ohio

Presents Two Free Events to Learn About Pro Bono
Oct 17, 2014 4:00 PM ET
Campaign: Pro Bono Week

October 17, 2014 /3BL Media/ - BVU: The Center for Nonprofit Excellence, located in Northeast Ohio, serves as a catalyst to engage employees at 120 businesses with over 950 nonprofits each year.  BVU works to engage skilled volunteers in critical pro bono projects throughout the Greater Cleveland/Akron area, providing much needed skills and expertise to nonprofits.  Through the efforts of BVU’s Pro Bono Corps, nonprofits are able to deliver programming and services to meet the needs of the community.  Over time, BVU has facilitated 728 pro bono projects.

BVU also has an Encore Pro Bono Initiative.  In partnership with the Cleveland Foundation’s Encore Initiative, which channels the time, energy and talents of experienced Clevelanders into solving community challenges and filling unmet needs.  As the demand for pro bono consultants rise, BVU feels this is the perfect opportunity to give older volunteers purpose, while filling needs to strengthen the nonprofit sector.

On October 9, BVU held its inaugural Purpose@50plus event to connect individuals to volunteer opportunities in the area.  “We met so many talented individuals who want to lend their expertise to the nonprofit sector.  Capacity building talent like this will be invaluable for the nonprofits we serve and our community as a whole,” said Judy Tobin, Senior Director, Pro Bono Consulting.

During Pro Bono Week 2014, BVU will offer two different workshops, one for volunteers interested in becoming a pro bono consultant and one for nonprofits seeking pro bono assistance.

For Individuals interested in becoming a Pro Bono Consultant, BVU will host a seminar on October 20, 2014 from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM.  Attendees will learn about the nonprofit landscape in Northeast Ohio, what types of skills are in high demand, how to connect to a nonprofit, trends and best practices in pro bono volunteering, helpful tools and tips and experienced Pro Bono consultants will share their insights, perspectives and challenges in achieving project success.  For more information, please visit http://www.bvuvolunteers.org/calendar/

For nonprofits wanting the expertise of skilled volunteers, BVU will host as seminar on October 23, 2014 from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM.  Attendees will explore the benefits of outside assistance in areas such as HR, finance, marketing, technology, business planning, facilities and other operational areas.  The will also learn about important trends and the value of pro bono, best practices and useful tools, how to create a value-added project for your nonprofit, how to prepare your nonprofit to maximize resources in order to get the greatest results, how to work with multi-generational volunteers and hear from others who have provided pro bono service for our local community.  For more information, please visit http://www.bvuvolunteers.org/calendar/

About BVU
BVU: The Center for Nonprofit Excellence promotes business volunteerism and fosters excellence in nonprofit organizations.

BVU is a national model organization that strengthens nonprofits by involving thousands of volunteers from the community; engaging hundreds of business executives and professionals on nonprofit boards of directors; and providing leading-edge board and management consulting and training services for nonprofits.   BVU offers services to businesses and nonprofits throughout the region and provide one-stop shopping for volunteer referral, consulting and training.

About Pro Bono Week
Pro Bono Week is a global celebration of the pro bono ethic across all professions that use their talents to make a difference.  Inspired by the American Bar Association's National Celebration of Pro Bono, pro bono enthusiasts around the globe focus their attention on the pro bono movement each year during the third week of October.  This year Pro Bono week runs October 19th through October 25th. 

Events celebrating pro bono and making pro bono resources available to others will take place across the country as part of the effort to spread the word, share best practices and make connections.  Follow the conversation across social media by searching #PBW14 or learn more at: taprootfoundation.org/support-probono/pro-bono-week  

Learn more about BVU’s Pro Bono Corps Program contact:

Judy Tobin, Sr. Director, Pro Bono Consulting

(216) 736-7711 jtobin@bvuvolunteers.org

www.bvuvolunteers.org