NEW: Pro Bono Services in 2010Background To celebrate the Improve Group’s Tenth Anniversary, earlier this year an exciting new pro bono initiative aimed at assisting non-profits by offering our evaluation, research and planning expertise was launched. Organizations that receive pro bono services would get high-quality, professional assistance with their individually identified needs, as well as technical support and assistance to prepare them to sustain their efforts at the conclusion of the project. Through this new initiative, the Improve Group hopes to help organizations develop their research and evaluation capacity and benefit through greater understanding of data, populations and context. Requirements In order to be eligible for pro bono services organizations must be non-profits or non-governmental organizations with preference going to non-Minnesota organizations. The pro bono initiative focuses on organizations with projects in one of the following areas:
To allow the Improve Group to support the pro bono assistance to organizations that would otherwise be unable to afford such services, a portion of our consulting revenues are used. Update The Improve Group pro bono initiative launch was well received. In all, nineteen applications were submitted. Applicants’ proposed projects that spanned all five of the IG focus areas and identified a diverse variety of evaluation needs. Evaluation planning was the assistance area most highly requested. Specifically, requests to help with creating an evaluation plan or framework, creating logic models, and designing instruments to collect data. Also, conducting a needs assessment was frequently requested in applications. In addition, assistance with data analysis, dissemination of findings, conducting literature reviews, and strategic planning were sought after from several of the applicants. The Improve Group is pleased to announce the following groups will be receiving pro bono assistance: COMPAS - The Confederation of Somali Community in MN - Genesis II for Families - Global Potential of Globalhood, Inc. - The San Francisco Opera Check our newsletter and blog for the information on the progress with our pro bono projects throughout the year - as well as future opportunities to apply! Applications The pro bono submission period is over but you can view an application by clicking here. For questions regarding the pro bono initiative, please contact Leah Goldstein Moses, Improve Group President and CEO at leah@theimprovegroup.com. Employee Giving Match ProgramOver the past year, our employees have asked us to consider a greater role for them in our corporate giving programs. After internal discussions, they made clear that they want to make a difference in the community and asked the Improve Group to increase their impact. The Improve Group will now make a 1:1 match of employee donations to their favorite non-profits. Staff donations of up to $500 per employee will be matched. The employee donation match program replaces our previous corporate giving program. Our staff are also encouraged to serve on boards and in a volunteer capacity where they can share their expertise with others. The Improve Group occasionally provides gift-in-kind opportunities such as computers, phones or office equipment. When items are available we will post notices on our website, blog and Facebook page. 2009 Improve Group Charitable ContributionsThe list below shows contributions made to organizations with the Employee Giving Match by the Improve Group. The top two contributions are charitable gifts given by IG in honor of our clients.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
The Improve Group has a policy of donating used equipment and office furniture to area non profits. To check on availability see our blog, the Inside Groove.
Thank you letter form ARC. |
 |
|
 |