Taproot Foundation Launches Taproot+: Online Service that Brings Quality Pro Bono to Nonprofits Nationwide

NEW YORK, October 22, 2014 /3BL Media/ – Today, Taproot Foundation launches Taproot+ (www.taprootplus.org), a first-of-its-kind resource connecting nonprofits who need pro bono talent to business professionals who want to donate their expertise. With Taproot+, nonprofits can define the right pro bono project for their needs, secure the ideal pro bono professionals to help, and kick off a project with confidence, knowing that they can access project management and coaching support throughout the process.

“Taproot+ is a culmination of our 13 years of working with thousands of nonprofits and pro bono professionals to deliver high impact pro bono that allows nonprofits to make a difference in their communities. This unique program means that nonprofits can meet all of their pro bono needs in one place,” said Liz Hamburg, President and CEO, Taproot Foundation. “Now even more nonprofits can access the pro bono they need to meet their goals.”

In this initial launch, Taproot+ concentrates on making it easy for motivated nonprofits to articulate a powerful pitch for a pro bono project that they can post on the marketplace, and prepare for impactful engagements. Professionals who want to give back to their communities will also find it easy to identify projects that fit their skills, and move through a short-term, high-impact project.

Taproot teamed with Neo (www.neo.com), a leading product development and innovation consultancy based in New York, to build a digital product that brings Taproot’s best practices to life in the nonprofit and provider experience. Future releases will build on Taproot’s partner network and concentrate on leveraging the power of other provider groups, including organizations like Taproot as well as corporations eager to connect their highly skilled employees with pro bono opportunities, and complementary platforms like the LinkedIn Volunteer Marketplace.

Taproot+ is made possible by the generous support of Citi Foundation, Lead National Corporate Sponsor; PwC, Lead Professional Services Sponsor; the Kresge Foundation, Lead National Foundation Sponsor; and Hewlett-Packard, Lead Investment Sponsor.

The Taproot+ launch coincides with Pro Bono Week, which takes place each year at the end of October. Pro Bono Week is a celebration of pro bono heroes—professionals in marketing, legal services, human resources, management, IT, and more who support their communities by lending their talents to nonprofits. Established by the American Bar Association, National Pro Bono Week started in 2009 as a way to highlight the growing impact of pro bono. Pro Bono Week shines a spotlight on the outstanding work of business professionals who volunteer their expertise throughout the year, and seeks to inspire more individuals and corporations to provide valuable pro bono services to local organizations serving the public good.

Pro bono is short for “pro bono publico” or “for the public good” and it is the term used for professional services donated to a nonprofit organization or individual in need. The pro bono landscape is expanding as more and more volunteers donate their services to nonprofits, corporations create internal pro bono programs for services delivered by employees, and professional schools embrace volunteerism for the benefits of service as well as a path to building experience.

Pro Bono Week enthusiasts will be tweeting throughout the week at #PBW14.

About Taproot
Taproot is a nonprofit organization that makes business talent available to organizations working to improve society. We engage the nation’s millions of business professionals in pro bono services both through our award-winning programs and by partnering with companies to develop their pro bono programs. One day, we envision all organizations with promising solutions will be equipped to successfully take on urgent social challenges. Taproot Foundation, the founder of Pro Bono Day NYC and an innovator in the pro bono space, has connected nearly $140 million in pro bono services through pro bono programs with volunteers and corporations since 2001.

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  

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