10 Years Later: The Evolution of Corporate Pro Bono and Our Opportunities for the Future

The Taproot Foundation's Advisory Services team works closely with companies to help them develop strategies to engage their talent in pro bono service. Our advisory practice was founded 10 years ago by Lindsay Firestone Gruber, Taproot’s Chief Program Officer, who saw the potential for companies to be more strategic about how they engage their people to help nonprofits succeed. Back in 2008, corporate pro bono was largely nascent outside of law firms and professional services companies. A decade later, the landscape of corporate pro bono is thriving. Kim Gillman, National Director of Advisory Services, sat down with Lindsay to reflect on the decade and to explore what’s next for the field.

A Decade in the Making | Taproot Foundation's Advisory Services Newsletter

Ten years ago, when Lindsay Firestone Gruber started Taproot's Advisory Services practice, the purpose was simple: to help nonprofits tackle their toughest challenges by connecting them to hard-to-reach corporate talent. A decade later, the landscape of corporate pro bono is thriving. Kim Gillman, National Director of Advisory Services, sat down with Lindsay Firestone Gruber, founder of Advisory Services and the current Chief Programs Officer, to reflect on the past decade and to explore what’s next for the field.

Visa Commits to 100% Renewable Electricity by End of 2019

Visa (NYSE: V) today announced its commitment to use 100 percent renewable electricity across its global operations by the end of 2019.

National Award Honors PNC for Its Community Legal Work

PNC is recognized for its commitment to making a difference in the lives of those who otherwise could not afford to pay for legal services.
The national Pro Bono Institute gave its annual Laurie D. Zelon Pro Bono Award to the bank Feb. 22, 2018. The award is given to an individual or organization for exemplary pro bono service providing legal services to the poor, disadvantaged and other individuals or groups unable to secure legal assistance to address critical problems

“A Victory for Common Sense” – Second Circuit Upholds LGBT Employee Rights

In a victory for equality in the workplace, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit this morning held that the Civil Rights Act prohibits sexual orientation in employment. This ruling legally affirms the sentiment behind a petition that Viacom and 49 other major companies signed last summer.

“This ruling affirms the strong stand we have taken at Viacom – that there is no room in the workplace for discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation,” said Viacom Senior Vice President of Business and Legal Affairs Rick Baker. “This is a victory for equality, for the LGBT community, for businesses at large, and for common sense.”

Scotiabank Receives JA Americas 2017 Transforming Education Award

JA Americas recently revealed the recipient of its 2017 Transforming Education Award: Scotiabank. Brent Currie, Scotiabank's Senior Vice President of Brand Management and Marketing Services, was presented with the award in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Corporate Leaders Meet for Dialogue on Strategies for Advancing Social Progress

Fifty-two CEOs who are a part of CECP: The CEO Force for Good–a coalition of leading companies that collectively represent $6.2 trillion in annual revenue–met at CECP’s 13th annual Board of Boards to examine critical success factors in building the business for the long-term.

Companies Show Signs of Progress, but New Ceres Analysis Calls for More Action on Sustainability Commitments

A new interactive web-based analysis released today by Ceres examines how more than 600 of the largest publicly traded companies in the U.S. are responding to urgent calls to act on climate change and other sustainability threats, such as water pollution and scarcity, and human rights abuses, and positioning themselves for success in a world shaped by these unprecedented environmental and social challenges.

Helping Transgender People Lead Authentic Lives

From education to employment, healthcare to housing, transgender Americans fight daily for rights many take for granted. “Authentic Lives,” a new documentary from WQED, Pittsburgh’s PBS affiliate, highlights PNC as a company working toward equity and inclusion for the LGBTQ population.

Benevity Acquires TrustCSR, UK-Based Corporate Social Responsibility Consultancy

Benevity acquires TrustCSR, a UK-based corporate social responsibility consultancy that serves enterprise clients, including Amazon, British Telecom, DHL, EE, Avanade, National Grid and Experian. This acquisition is the latest step in Benevity adding scale and geographic scope to its operations to maximize efficiencies, service its global client base, and reach new markets.

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