pro bono consulting initiative

About the Pro Bono OD Consulting Project

Are you a non-profit organization dealing with…

High staff turnover or low morale?
Rapid Growth?
A disengaged Board of Directors?
Recent changes such as organizational structure, or leadership?
A lack of clear direction or purpose?
Misunderstood roles and responsibilities?

The Organization Development Network of New York might be able to help you.

Starting in January 2010, a group of trained OD professionals will be providing pro bono consulting to a local non-profit seeking to address organizational challenges it may be facing. This team of five to seven consultants will work with you over a 4-6 month period to define and confront an issue you want to resolve. There is no cost to you. We simply ask that if you are selected, you follow up with the volunteers and make the project an organizational priority.

What Is Organization Development?

The type of consultation provided by ODNNY is called Organization Development. Sometimes called “process consultation,” it is a planned set of activities that are designed to enhance an organization’s ability to achieve its vision, mission and goals. In most cases, this happens by helping the people involved work more efficiently and effectively together. Note that this is not subject-matter consulting on finances, legal issues, fundraising, budgeting, technology, etc. - it's about the people side of your organization.

Volunteer Consultants: A typical team consists of 5-7 people. Members of teams come from diverse backgrounds and bring widely varied skill and experience levels. Many members have completed or enrolled in graduate education related to organization development.

In order to take advantage of the program, you must meet the following criteria

Budget of Under $5 million
Human Services Organization
Located in New York City
A paid professional executive director

Here's the process:

Submit an application
We’ll call you to follow up on your application
In early January, our team will make a decision on your application
We’ll begin with a Kick-off meeting in late January
We project the consulting engagement would end in June

If you're interested, or know a non-profit that might be in need and fits the criteria, please contact Board Member Laurie Kelley at lkelley@odnny.org.