How the Volunteer Process Works

Volunteering is Organized and Simple

Common Impact does a major share of the background work before volunteers are assigned to a project, making the process an efficient and valuable use of time. Every volunteer team is matched to a nonprofit that has already completed a thorough needs evaluation process with Common Impact, and has a requirements document and workplan in hand.

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  • Matching Common Impact matches teams of 3-5 volunteers from your company to a pre-selected, high-potential nonprofit organization
  • Kickoff Common Impact schedules a kick-off meeting with the nonprofit and provides each team with a detailed requirements document
  • Development Volunteers work as a virtual team to implement the project, meeting occasionally with the nonprofit client to review interim deliverables
  • Delivery The volunteer team delivers the final product to the nonprofit client and celebrates the completion of projects with other volunteers

Types of Projects

Team-based opportunities

  • Technology Examples include implementing a database, website or networking infrastructure
  • Marketing Creating a new brochure, designing a market research survey, updating a website
  • Human Resources Creating personnel policies, developing tools for hiring process (starting in Spring 2007)

Individual opportunities

  • Executive Coaching Ongoing advisory relationship with a senior manager at a nonprofit organization that has been a previous Common Impact client

Logistics

  • Time Commitment One to two hours per week on average, with some peaks and valleys
  • Project Duration Five to seven months; project matching occurs in Fall, Winter and Spring
  • Location At home or your office; occasionally team meetings are held at your company or the nonprofit's location
  • Resources Volunteers typically use their work and/or home computers to complete a project

Types of Volunteer Roles

  • Team Leaders help to coordinate the project for volunteers, the nonprofit, and Common Impact
  • Team Members spend an hour or two each week implementing the project with their colleagues
  • Executive Coaches advise and mentor a nonprofit on strategic issues

Learn more about working with Common Impact

  • Benefits: Learn about the benefits for volunteers and companies.
  • Results: Read a case study about one nonprofit client's experience with Common Impact.
  • Clients: Meet some of our nonprofit clients.
  • Get Started: Let us get your company started!