Major Private Sector Commitment to Pro Bono is a Landmark Win for the Movement

October 16, 2015 /3BL Media/  - Taproot Foundation, a nonprofit connecting business professionals in pro bono service to organizations working towards social good, and Deloitte, a leading professional services organization, are joining forces once again to drive the pro bono marketplace forward. Deloitte recently announced an expanded commitment to providing $110 million in pro bono services to nonprofits by 2015, and has signed on with Taproot as a sponsor of Pro Bono Week 2013 to help inspire others to follow suit. A long-time supporter of Taproot and one of the key architects of the pro bono movement, Deloitte is working to make pro bono an indelible part of the philanthropic fabric of America.

“Pro bono service has emerged as a critical component of transformative social change” says Caroline Barlerin, director of global employee community engagement in HP’s Office of Sustainability and Social Innovation and Taproot emeritus board member. “It’s one of the most effective ways for companies to harness their enormous human potential to achieve the greatest social impact.”

Cathy Benko, vice chairman and managing principal, Corporate Citizenship, Deloitte LLP sees pro bono as an impactful way to bring ‘what we do best.’ “We challenged ourselves to go from more passive and episodic to ongoing and active giving,” Benko said.  “Pro bono provides an effective way for us to be active givers and deliver an extraordinary and sustained impact as perceived by the nonprofits we serve, by our talent who serve them, and the brand and business value derived.”

Pro Bono Week is celebrated from October 20^th-26^th to recognize and activate the pro bono ethic across all professions by highlighting the thousands of hours donated each year by business professionals in marketing, legal, HR, strategy, IT and other services. Inspired by the American Bar Association, Pro Bono Week has evolved into an opportunity to shine a spotlight on the outstanding work of business professionals who donate their professional expertise throughout the year and to inspire a critical mass of pro bono activity across the country.

Every year, business professionals donate over $15 billion in pro bono services in marketing, HR, strategy, design and technology. This influx of resources for the nonprofit sector is made possible by leaders who have stepped forward to make pro bono part of the fabric of their professional lives. They are changing the very definition of civic engagement and innovating on how change happens.

In addition to serving as a lead sponsor for Pro Bono Week 2013, Deloitte is participating in events across the country, including Taproot’s Pro Bono Campfire in Washington, D.C., and the Get Inspired and Get to Work event alongside Taproot in Chicago. Contact Stacey@taprootfoundation.org  for more information.

About Taproot

Since 2001, Taproot Foundation has proven that pro bono service is a viable and reliable tool for strengthening nonprofit organizations. Today, Taproot continues build a pro bono marketplace that, like philanthropy, is large, accessible, professional and transparent. By taking lessons learned from our award-winning Service Grant Program and applying them to our innovative new program areas, we work to stimulate the supply of pro bono resources through our corporate Advisory Services practice, as well as demand for these services by giving nonprofits the tools and training that sets them up for successful pro bono engagements. Our work has evolved to include thought leadership and international field-building, convening global leaders in the social sector to guide the design and direction of the pro bono movement while focusing on infusing a pro bono ethic into business professions, professional schools, companies and nonprofits in communities across the country and around the world. Visit www.taprootfoundation.org to learn more.