The provision of free professional services (pro-bono) to charities and not-for-profits can be mutually beneficial. This article will focus on what businesses and charities must consider and where the risks are.
Benefits of Pro-Bono Work for Businesses and Charities
Pro-bono work is one way for businesses to fulfil their corporate social responsibility (CSR) and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals, and allows charities to receive support that they may otherwise struggle to pay for. It’s a win-win.
However, to make the most of pro-bono work, businesses should assess where their services would have maximum impact and charities should consider how to make the most of these opportunities.
How Businesses Can Get Involved with Charities and Non-Profits
There are different routes businesses can follow when looking to support a community organisation:
- Pro-bono work: a contract with a charity to provide a specified service (e.g. legal, IT or accountancy support) for nil consideration. Businesses can benefit from the community ties and networking opportunities this provides.
- Corporate volunteering: staff participate in team charity volunteering days. This encourages team building, confidence, and social and communication skills.
In either case, businesses will need to assess how the recipient organisation is structured and run, whether there is a good match, and the business is able to provide the relevant support and any follow-up in line with the relevant charity/regulatory context. Check that your insurance adequately covers you for this activity and that appropriate risk assessments are undertaken.
Alternatively, businesses may grant staff leave to arrange their own volunteering. Unlike 1) and 2), you are not involved in the arrangement. The staff are volunteers in their personal capacity, and you would need to clarify that the business has no responsibility for the activities carried out during this time.
Allowing staff this opportunity supports local charities, encourages employee retention, and builds employee skills. Businesses must manage time off / unpaid leave requests, but ultimately, staff take full responsibility for their own safety and must follow all training and codes of conduct provided by the charity (rather than this being the responsibility of the business/employer).
Key Considerations for Charities When Working with Volunteers and Pro-Bono Services
The voluntary sector, as the name implies, relies heavily on volunteers giving up their time to help. A non-exhaustive list of matters that charities must consider when using volunteers include:
- having a clear volunteering charter or code of conduct and expenses policy;
- being careful to ensure volunteers do not acquire employee/workers’ rights;
- equal opportunities, recruitment and vetting procedures;
- ensuring appropriate data protection, safeguarding, and health and safety procedures are in place;
- having appropriate insurance cover for their volunteers; and
- ensuring that trustees who also volunteer for the charity understand that the two roles are separate.
Key Risks and Risk Management for Charities:
Charities can benefit from both pro-bono and corporate volunteering but should be aware of the potential risks associated with these:
- Pro-Bono Services: Ensure the service provider is suitably qualified and document key terms in a written agreement. Charities may need recourse if negligent advice leads to loss.
- Corporate Volunteers: Collaborate with the providing business to confirm insurance, vetting, and risk assessments, including data protection and health and safety protocols.Charities must always consider on a cost/benefit analysis whether it is in the best interests of the charity to accept any voluntary or pro-bono work. Free advice on complex issues may not always be appropriate.
Key Takeaways:
- Businesses: Providing pro-bono services helps the community and boosts employee morale and business. Assess where your time/services would be best spent, do research on your chosen charity and build a relationship.
- Charities: Put appropriate policies in place to govern volunteering and accepting volunteers.
- Both: Manage any risks through written agreements and suitable insurance cover.
Resources for Volunteer and Pro-Bono Opportunities
Volunteer opportunities:
Pro-bono opportunities:
For more information, contact our Charities & Non-Profit team, at [email protected] or 01202 786161.
