Free Project-based Consulting for Nonprofits
About the Program
The Grassroots.org Social Venture Consulting Program pairs talented MBA students with Grassroots.org Member Organizations in semester-long project-based consulting partnerships. The program is designed to help entrepreneurial nonprofit startup organizations to increase their organizational capacity by providing them with direct access to free business consulting. Since 2006, the program – led by the University of Maryland’s Smith School of Business – has served more than 75 organizations and involved nearly 300 students.
- Pairings last one school semester (three months)
- Applications are accepted in November (for spring program), and July (for fall programs)
- 8-10 nonprofits are selected each round
- Each nonprofit is paired with two or three students
- Pairings include biweekly meetings (phone or in-person, depending on nonprofit location) and 60-80 hours of consulting work (per project)
- Program is open to all registered US or Canadian nonprofits
Selection Criteria
With support from Make Change! Trust and led by the University of Maryland, the Grassroots.org Social Venture Consulting Program will be expanding to three new Universities across the United States, beginning in spring 2011. MBA students from the top-ranked universities are selected for participation based on a variety of factors including professional experience and dedication to community service. Nonprofit participants are Grassroots.org members selected for the project's capacity-building potential and the organization's demonstrated need for external support.
Examples of past Social Venture Consulting Projects include:
- development of a strategic plan for an after school program
- creation a strategic marketing plan & refinement of financial statements for a clothing resale shop
- design of a financial management/donor tracking program for a human rights agency
Advantages for Students
- practical consulting experience
- the opportunity to give back
Advantages for Nonprofits:
- experienced business perspective
- a structured environment to complete a particular project
- 60-80 hours of in-kind consulting (valued at $150/hr)
How to Apply
The SVC application is now closed for the semester.
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