We will hold a Prospective Client Information Session on April 25. If you are considering applying for a Compass pro bono consulting project, please join us to hear about Compass’ client application process. At this optional Information Session, you’ll find out:
How the Compass program works
What kind of project would be best for your organization
How to apply for a Compass project and get selected
Prospective Client Information Session
Date: Wednesday, April 25
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Location: Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, The Bellevue Philadelphia, 200 South Broad Street, Suite #700, Philadelphia, PA 19102
RSVP HERE By Tuesday April, 24th
Thank you for your interest in applying for a Compass pro bono consulting project. Compass grants pro bono consulting services to nonprofits that benefit the Greater Philadelphia community. Each nonprofit client receives approximately $150,000 of strategic consulting services – free of charge. This year, we expect to select 15 nonprofits.
DEADLINE: The deadline for client applications is Friday, June 8, 2018 at 5:00 p.m.
ELIGIBILITY: 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations in the Greater Philadelphia area may apply if they have a minimum operating budget of $750,000, three full-time paid staff members, an active board of directors, and a mission that benefits the Greater Philadelphia community. Compass does not accept clients that promote specific religious or political beliefs. Organizations that apply for Funding Strategy or Marketing Strategy projects must have a current Strategic Plan and strong governing board. For other service lines, this is not a requirement. Currently, Compass works with nonprofits in the following Pennsylvania counties: Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Camden County in New Jersey.
SELECTION CRITERIA: Compass looks for indications that a potential consulting engagement will be completed successfully and have lasting, meaningful impact. Those indications include financial stability, regular Board meetings, capacity of the Executive Director to participate in the project, an engaged Board Chair interested in the proposed project, a well-defined and realistic project scope, and a track record of community impact. Compass does not undertake projects with organizations who anticipate working with other pro bono or paid strategy or management consultants during the Compass project period (September 2018-June 2019).
When selecting the final roster of clients, Compass looks for geographic diversity (PA, NJ) not too far from the immediate metropolitan area, service line diversity, and clients that represent a wide range of issue areas.
Compass rarely accepts clients who have an interim Executive Director or who are about to transition to a new Executive Director. Compass will defer a project if the Executive Director leaves during the project period (September 2018-June 2019).
REPEAT CLIENTS: We encourage past clients to apply for additional projects. However, most clients benefit from taking a year off between projects.
CLIENT SELECTION AND PROJECT TIMELINE: Over the summer, Compass representatives will contact and interview (separately) the Executive Director and Board Chair of applicants that meet the basic criteria, listed above. Compass will announce final client selections in August.
Project Leaders will begin working with clients in September. Teams will be fully formed, trained, and begin working in earnest in late October, with projects completed by late May to early June 2019. Please keep in mind that we will host our annual PROJECT LAUNCH in early October 2018. This event is a chance for prospective volunteers to meet Compass’ newly selected clients and learn about the projects. Clients are REQUIRED to attend this event.
CONFIDENTIALITY: All information in this application will be kept confidential within Compass, the Client Selection Committee, and if selected, within the project team.
QUESTIONS If you have any questions after viewing the application, please feel free to contact Beth Dahle at bdahle@compassphilly.org.
2018-2019 Compass application instructions
Print the 2018-2019 Compass application