Pro bono publico, often shortened to “pro bono” is often used to describe volunteer projects undertaken a business. Many times pro bono is used in the context of legal services, but this type of volunteer work is also popular among consulting firms, advertising agencies, graphic design firms, and other professional services businesses.  

When done well, pro bono can be a major influence on the success of a business. Offering to volunteer a project can provide an easy way to give to a charitable interest, while providing an excellent opportunity to build goodwill throughout the community. Participating in pro bono projects can also offer excellent public relations opportunities. 

When deciding to volunteer your services, there are a few key concepts to keep in mind: 

• Predefine your area of focus — You will want to make sure that this focus fits well within the context of both your personal interests and your business interests. It will also help you limit your pro bono projects to those you will enjoy the most.
• When offering to do volunteer work, make sure that you lay out your expectations prior to starting the project. This will provide you and the charity with a predefined end-point.
• If you offer products or services for a charity auction, make sure that the demographic of the patron matches the demographic of your customer.