Frequently Asked Questions

What is ProBono Marin?

ProBono Marin, formerly known as Civic Engagement Leadership Team (CELT), is a program of Center for Volunteer and Nonprofit Leadership. It is comprised of senior-level, experienced professionals who help nonprofits strengthen their organizational capacity to meet the increasing demand for essential social services to individuals, families and a rapidly growing aging population.

What is the goal of ProBono Marin?

Our goal is to expand a nonprofit’s abilities and capacity to fulfill its mission through professional, pro bono consulting.

What makes ProBono Marin different from other service organizations?

ProBono Marin is the only organization in Marin County that provides free advisory services to nonprofits through a client-focused partnership that ensures the program’s success.

Who are your consultants and how do you know if they are qualified?

Our Advisors are successful professionals who choose to volunteer in the program. We carefully review a prospective volunteer professional's credentials to ensure they can offer the services we promise.

Who supports the program?

ProBono Marin has received grants from such prestigious organizations as the National Council on Aging, HandsOn Network, and the Marin Community Foundation.

What kind of strategic thinking do your consultants offer that adds value?

Many of our former clients have noted that our help—with long-term or short-term projects—was invaluable because their organization was already stretched by the need to address immediate goals. With the current demand for services, many nonprofits simply don’t have the staff or time to carry out the kinds of special projects we offer.

What about special, one-time projects?

Most of our projects fit this category, solving a current opportunity area, from assisting in the development of human resources training to helping develop IT programs to developing a strategic plan.

How do I know a project will executed as promised?

We work with our clients beforehand and discuss what is needed and how to get there. Final plans require a formal Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed by the nonprofit’s executive director and ProBono Marin.

Will a project take a lot of my time and resources?

Typically this is not a problem, but it is possible that a project may take some of your or your staff’s time or resources depending upon its complexity. Resources and schedules are addressed in any agreement we make with a client beforehand. There should be no surprises as long as each party keeps to the agreement.

What if no one is available to work with my organization?

On occasion, a nonprofit will be asked to wait for the right person to fill the assignment. That said, in addition to volunteer professionals we already have on board, we are always recruiting additional consultants. The Center also has a Referral Network of nonprofit consultants available on a fee basis.