In today’s article we’re featuring a number of resources available to charities, with more to follow next week.
1. Pro Bono Legal Services & Free Professional Consulting Services
Trust Law Pro Bono Legal Support
Founded in 2010, this non-profit, the largest international legal aid network of its kind in the world funded by the Thomson Reuters Foundation, connects non-profits with over 120,000 lawyers seeking to do pro bono work. The average time for obtaining legal counsel is one month and 95% of requests are matched to counsel. NOTE: this service is not for assisting your non-profit with business advice (for example, which jurisdiction to register within, even though general commercial legal matters fall within the scope of services offered). Trust Law’s excellent FAQs page explains the exact process.
2. Volunteers
Reach Volunteering
Reach Volunteering is an organisation which connects UK-based non-profits with skilled volunteers. Charities with an annual turnover of less than £1 million can access their platform free in order to source volunteers from among 7,000 professionals specialising in fields including IT, finance, marketing and communications and the law. To use the platform, create an account and post a “volunteer opportunity”. Once a volunteer responds, you can communicate with them directly. This process can take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on location, time commitment to platform and the hours of volunteer work needed.
3. Free (and Substantially Discounted) Office Space
3Space
3Space is a charity offering free and substantially discounted office space (typically awaiting development approvals) across the UK to non-profits. The available stock is dependent on developers’ excess capacity at any given time and, therefore, changes, so you must apply and state your mission. Typical rental periods are between 6–18 months and you may have to move out quickly!
4. Business Development and Sourcing Corporate Partners/Sponsors
ThirdBridge
ThirdBridge provides an online matchmaking platform for charities to meet corporations seeking to donate skills, resources, and knowledge. Charities post their specific needs including anything from help with donations, fundraising and sponsorship to cause-related marketing, gifts in kind and skilled volunteering. Charities, once vetted (usually by telephone within one business day), use the platform for free. Corporate members include O2, Sky and Accenture among other household names.
Image: 3Space