Thinking of starting a pro bono program? We recently launched our first pro bono program at the beginning of 2023 with our first client Somewhere Good. The goal of the program is to continue our mission of equity on stage through event planning and speaker management, as well as to contribute to our Pledge 1% participation. We hoped the program would be beneficial to the pro bono client, but we also saw numerous positive outcomes for our own team. Below we’re sharing the top six benefits of launching a pro bono project.

1. Launching New Offerings: Have you been thinking about launching a new service but would like to test it out first? A pro bono program is a great way to expand your current services and gather feedback by working collaboratively with a non-paying client. Let’s say your PR agency wants to expand to social media marketing - a pro bono project is a great way to garner your first client and start your portfolio out strongly. 

2. Increase Customer Engagement: Clients love to see the companies they invest in doing good for others. With 47% of global consumers saying they make purchases from companies that support a cause at least once a month, a pro bono program is a great way to engage current clients and a great opportunity to reach out to new clients. 

3. Growing Your Team: A pro bono project is an excellent opportunity to give new responsibilities to employees and drive career growth. With a pro bono client, employees can take on a larger project scope, hone management skills, or begin a client facing role.

4. Expanding to New Verticals: Whether you have only been working in B2B brands and are looking to enter the DTC space, or have a ton of fintech clients but are looking to expand to martech, a pro bono program is a great way to start expanding your current verticals. Ask the pro bono client to be part of a case study during the contracting process so you can market your work to future clients. 

5. Reaching a Broader Audience: A pro bono project is a great way to get positive word of mouth about your product or service and expand your network. Ask the pro bono client to post about you on their social media channels, newsletters, or marketing emails to reach an untapped market, gain brand awareness, and increase your reputation. 

6. Sense of Satisfaction and Employee Moral: Up to 78% of employees want to engage with corporate social responsibility initiatives. Prioritizing CSR initiatives like a pro bono program can lead to improved company moral, retention rates, and even recruiting! We can definitely say that our pro bono project left a smile on many credians’ faces.

Somewhere Good was our first pro bono project, and we have already seen many benefits from the process. Time invested “somewhere good” is never wasted! 

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