Seven out of ten small and medium-sized charities say that they are actively looking for pro bono professional skills to support what they do – but only four out of ten find it. The new initiative will close this gap, with the charities (including LandAid) offering pro bono and free support and services running a mutual signposting and referral service online between themselves to ensure that charities find their way to the most appropriate help that they need.
LandAid, alongside other the members of the UK Pro Bono Association, founded by Cranfield Trust, Pilotlight and Reach Volunteering, are making a pledge that: “when charities or social enterprises come to any of us needing pro bono support that we are not able to give or that others could give better, we take steps to guide them to the support that they need.”
Research by Pilotlight suggests that together, pro bono providers have engaged professionals to support 8,300 charities and social enterprises over the last year. For many, a shift prompted by the pandemic has been from in-person volunteering to the opportunities of virtual volunteering.