Impact Investment Through Pro Bono Work: Why It’s More Than Charity

As the year draws to a close, we often find ourselves looking for ways to give back. But giving has a unique power, not only to help those in need but to inspire and transform those who give.

Often, giving is seen as a one-way street, offering our time, skills, or resources to those in need. But giving has a surprising power to connect and transform both sides. Over the past four years, we’ve helped facilitate 900 tech projects with nonprofits, and one insight shines through, when tech teams dive into pro bono work, they often find that they gain as much as they give. 

The Rise of Impact Investment

Social responsibility is now a key expectation from consumers, stakeholders, and employees alike. A World Economic Forum survey shows that 70% of people buy from brands reflecting their values, and 71% of employees prioritize working at companies that give back.

But participating in holiday charity doesn’t have to be just a box to tick off to keep you on Santa’s good list. Engaging in pro bono work enables tech companies to turn altruistic efforts into advantages for their company and team. Beyond making a difference, these collaborations with nonprofits can fuel internal innovation, open doors to new regions, and foster personal and professional growth for team members.

Fostering Cross-Functional Skills and Team Connections

Pro bono work frequently requires skills outside the usual scope of a tech team’s daily responsibilities. Working on social impact projects often involves tackling problems they haven’t encountered before and sometimes requires incredibly creative solutions. This type of work also offers a chance to collaborate across departments and disciplines, fostering teamwork among teams that increasingly work remotely and may be digitally divided.

After participating in the AI for Changemakers program, Lukas Meihsner from Convedo shared that the program “helped us upskill and use AI more efficiently, which created tremendous benefits for both our team and the organizations we assist.”

Adam Piotrowski, the CEO of 2N, also finds that for him and his team, engaging in pro bono projects with Tech To The Rescue is a win-win situation. “As a company for which code quality and solution delivery are priorities, and the development of talented programmers is one of our core values, we believe that involvement in real projects is the best path for professionals in the software development industry to improve their skills. Our team tackles real problems and challenges where we can teach our interns how to write high-quality code, while on the other side, an actual NGO receives a modern application with a quality they can trust.”

Addressing Real-World Needs and Avoiding “Shelfware”

One of the common pain points in the tech industry is creating products or solutions that never see the light of day, or as it is often known, ‘shelfware.’ But in the nonprofit world, the dynamic is different. Nonprofits, often facing resource constraints, are eager to implement tech solutions that can transform their operations. Unlike some corporate clients who may shelve solutions due to budget or implementation challenges, nonprofits have pressing needs and are highly committed to utilizing new tools. “You can unleash a lot of powerful tools quickly for a nonprofit,” says Andrew Gauvin, the CEO of Freepoint Metrics. “They aren’t just there in a backroom, you can get things out there and test them and get them in front of users.” 

This sentiment is echoed by Yadira García from Autistas de México A.C.. “As the first Mexican NGO created by autistic adults, we felt extremely grateful and enthusiastic to know that TTTR had accepted our project and really got how valuable it will hopefully be. This process has been one of the most supportive experiences we’ve ever had; it has really made us believe that we can have an actual impact for the autistic community worldwide.”

Exploring New Markets and Becoming Industry Leaders

Every day, the growing scope of our online world makes us even more connected to people, cities, countries, and continents away. When impact investing with pro bono projects through Tech To The Rescue, tech teams often find themselves collaborating with communities far outside their usual circles. Nonprofits are deeply rooted in regions that may not typically attract commercial projects, presenting companies with a unique opportunity to engage with diverse parts of the world.

For companies like Prescott Data, these projects represent a chance to take on a meaningful role in shaping the future. “As industry leaders, we feel a responsibility to lead in providing and building solutions, especially when it comes to technology like artificial intelligence,” explains Muyukani Kizito, the CEO of Prescott Data. “That’s one of the biggest motivations for joining the AI for Changemakers Accelerator program. We feel it’s our responsibility. As industry leaders, we need to be at the forefront of these emerging technologies to drive and influence change.”

Motivating Teams Through Meaningful Work

Tech professionals are often at their best when they’re solving meaningful puzzles and facing fresh challenges. Participating in projects outside one’s normal scope allows teams to encounter new challenges and learn fresh perspectives. Freelance full-stack developer Ayokunnumi Omololu, who took part in the Zero Hunger Hackathon earlier this year, notes, “The hackathon significantly enhanced our problem-solving skills and ability to work under pressure. It also provided valuable insights into the real-world applications of coding for social good.” 

Pro Bono as a Sandbox for Experimentation  

The fast-evolving nature of tech and AI demands constant learning and adaptation. Pro bono projects allow teams to test new ideas and tools in a “real-life sandbox,” exposing them to fresh challenges without the pressure of a high-stakes commercial environment.

“Driving this initiative…enables this space for your employees and for everyone on your team to actually experiment and learn from these new technologies,” says Andrew of Freeport Metrics. “I think that’s super valuable.” Freed from commercial pressures, pro bono projects offer teams a unique chance to experiment, explore, and prepare for future tech challenges.

Utilizing Downtime Between Projects

Many teams face natural downtimes between client projects. Rather than leaving teams underutilized, pro bono work can make meaningful use of these lulls. This approach also has operational benefits; by keeping teams engaged, companies maintain momentum and productivity, all while supporting their brand’s reputation for giving back.

“People are working together and with external parties, that’s definitely more valuable than something internal,” says Andrew from Freeport Metrics. “Also another value there is that when the project is over in terms of the skill set your team has developed, you can apply that to other projects and used what we learned.”

Impact Investment is the Future

As the year draws to a close, it’s the perfect time to consider new ways your company can give back. By engaging in pro bono work with nonprofits, you’re not only supporting critical causes but also creating invaluable growth opportunities for your team. Pro bono projects push boundaries, spark creativity, and strengthen relationships, both within your organization and with communities around the world.

As you think about the end of the year, consider finding a pro bono project that makes an impact on your team and helps a nonprofit change the world. Let’s finish this year with purpose, building skills, inspiring others, and making a difference.

You can either learn more about the AI for Changemakers Program. Or, if you are ready to dive right in, check out all of our projects waiting for you and your team!