Taproot Foundation: A Look Back at 20 Years

TAPROOT FOUNDATION: A LOOK BACK AT 20 YEARS

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT AND CEO Dear Taproot Family, Twenty years ago, Aaron Hurst founded Taproot Foundation with the dedication to a singular focus: ensuring nonprofits have access to the critical organizational support they need to survive, thrive, and impact our communities. Aaron’s vision was to expand the pro bono ethic beyond the legal profession into critical areas like marketing, HR, technology, strategy and finance – helping to combat the resource inequity that has long existed between the sectors by creating a sustainable, accessible and high-quality source of professional services for these essential organizations – and always free of charge. These last two decades spent in close partnership with organizations the world over has continued to inform and advance our evolving programming, all dedicated to that same focus.

Since 2001, Taproot’s community of skilled volunteers has served over 10,000 social change organizations providing more than 1.9 million hours of service worth over $280 million in value.

Now, as we envision our next 20 years of impact, we are proud to carry on this legacy of building bridges, and grow and deepen our impact with equity at the center. I continue to be in awe of our team of passionate “Roots” (as we call Taproot team members), who are driven each and every day to ensure meaningful impact through our own pro bono programs, through those we help design and build in the field, and through the thought leadership and resources we partner to develop and share to help set the standard for and advance this ‘pro bono movement’.

I’m incredibly proud of our history of impact and shared values and look forward to Taproot Foundation’s ongoing evolution – an evolution driven by our guiding principle: always putting the nonprofit first.

Gratefully, Lindsay Gruber Taproot Foundation President and CEO TAPROOT FOUNDATION - 2021

TAPROOT FOUNDATION: 20 YEARS OF IMPACT

Since 2001, Taproot has facilitated:

hours of skilled volunteer

1.9M

service to social change organizations

worth of professional

$280M

services delivered by skilled volunteers

30,000

engaged skilled volunteers

17,000

engagements

social change

10,000

organizations connected with volunteers

ABOUT TAPROOT At Taproot, we are the connectors, creating meaningful change in our communities. For over two decades, our programs and services have connected social good organizations with skilled volunteers - passionate professionals with expertise in areas like human resources, finance, marketing, strategic planning, and IT - through structured consultations and projects to help tackle organizations’ critical challenges.

of nonprofit organizations report a lack of critical resources. Taproot is committed to filling this gap today - and in the future.

We are committed to finding new ways to innovate across the Taproot Foundation to meet our mission and support organizations that lift up our communities. Today we provide a diverse array of opportunities to engage nonprofits and skilled volunteers, from one-hour consultations with a subject matter expert to half-day diagnostic support to get to the root cause of a challenge, to one-day and multi-week projects to deliver critical, custom scopes of work and deliverables for a nonprofit organization.

TAPROOT FOUNDATION - 2021

HEAR FROM TAPROOT PLUS NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS

Last year, we worked with Desiree from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana through the Taproot Foundation on a video storytelling project. She helped us beautifully capture the stories of three Propeller Alumni entrepreneurs, positioning us to better share our impact with stakeholders.

It was a joy to work with Desiree. Now we can continue helping small businesses to prosper.

Andrea Chen Co-Founder & CEO Propeller: A Force for Social Innovation

TAPROOT: GROWTH WITH A MISSION Taproot Plus: Empowering Nonprofits In 2015 we launched Taproot Plus, an open-access, online platform which enables nonprofits to connect directly with skilled professionals anytime and anywhere through virtual pro bono opportunities.

Our technology platform instantly provides greater accessibility and reach of these important resources to unlock the potential of our global network.

skilled volunteers

supporting

nonprofits

Committed to Positive Change Over the past decade, and in particular over the past few years, companies have realized the exponential impact that a more holistic approach to their philanthropy and community engagement can have. In addition to their historic involvement in grantmaking and hands-on volunteering, we are helping companies achieve greater impact by strategically harnessing the full scope of their resources. When employees volunteer their time and skills, companies can support and strengthen nonprofit organizations, driving meaningful change in our communities together.

Taproot has helped create hundreds of pro bono programs at more than 110 companies, supporting thousands of organizations - accelerating the adoption of the pro bono ethic across professions and industries and driving sustainable sources of pro bono resources.

TAPROOT FOUNDATION - 2021

TAPROOT TODAY The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted that organizations must be ready to manage through unforeseen changes. Our work, relationships, and impact over the last 20 years give us a unique vantage point to help our partners succeed in a changing world. Here are a few examples of how:

Shift to Virtual Already armed with a powerful network of connected professionals and organizations, shifting all of our programs and processes online during the pandemic strengthened our connective capabilities even more. We continue creating deep connections with our partners and nonprofit organizations, delivering more programs than ever, virtually. We’re proud to empower nonprofit organizations to see their visions come to life online or offline.

Democratizing Access to Skilled Volunteers Amidst the fallout of the pandemic, nonprofits and small businesses have become especially vulnerable. To help close these gaps, we’re leveraging our resources to connect and scale access to skilled volunteers for social change leaders who need support the most – breaking down barriers that have historically limited access.

From virtual accessibility to increased outreach, training, and support, we are committed to ensuring under-resourced nonprofit organizations and small businesses can access skilled volunteers for free.

HEAR FROM TAPROOT PLUS VOLUNTEERS

While working on the project I got to meet with the great people that make up the Golden Gate Philharmonic team.

Wrapping up the project felt so rewarding and inspiring - I was delighted to be a part of such an amazing outcome. Their mission resonated with me so much that I've joined their Board of Directors as Treasurer.

Gloria Liu, CPA Director of Finance

TAPROOT FOUNDATION - 2021

Taproot Plus impact in 2021:

new nonprofit

2,250

organizations registered (annual all time high)

opportunity requests

>3,000

(Projects and Sessions) from nonprofits

hours of professional

32,000

consulting time donated

worth of professional

$9.3M

services delivered by skilled volunteers

TAPROOT PLUS: BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS

HEAR FROM TAPROOT PLUS NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS

When I need volunteers, Taproot is the only organization I trust with Building Families Together.

In addition, if I have a general question on the best way to obtain a volunteer for a specific project, I can reach out to Taproot. They will help me on how to move forward and be successful.

TAPROOT TOMORROW Global and Local Connection In the past, a nonprofit might have been limited to local resources for volunteer support. Today, both Taproot Plus and our shift to enable universally virtual programming allows us to go both wide and deep with every model of our service. And because projects across our program models cover a wide range of organizational and social impact needs – from shifting to a new payment system to designing a brochure to consultations on board recruitment and digital transformation - we can give our partners the best of both worlds.

In a connected world, we reach globally to better serve our communities locally.

Cultural Competency

Sherry Green Founder and CEO Building Families Together

Going forward we will amplify our efforts to deliver culturally competent, pro bono service, particularly to organizations marginalized from accessing resources - nonprofits working daily in support of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities. This focus gives us the opportunity to bring trust-based support to elevate the impactful efforts of nonprofit leaders in communities and sectors where it’s needed the most.

TAPROOT FOUNDATION - 2021

TAPROOT TOMORROW

Skills to Manage Change Looking to the future, nonprofit organizations must be ready to operate in a dynamic, ever-changing environment. Professionals skilled in areas such as digital operations, organizational design, and HR are more important than ever to help organizations become agile, resilient, and digitally mature.

And the best part?

It’s all free, with zero cost to nonprofits. It’s never been more apparent that connecting nonprofits with skilled professionals is what drives social change in a changing world.

Making connections that help nonprofits get the pro bono support they need, when they need it, for free.

TAPROOT FOUNDATION - 2021

HEAR FROM TAPROOT PLUS VOLUNTEERS

Addicting – that is how I would sum up my pro bono experience. When you give back, it has a way of providing happiness and a sense of purpose.

To the nonprofit professionals I’ve worked with: thank you. You each took a chance on me and offered me the incredible opportunity to learn and grow with you. Each nonprofit I’ve partnered with has opened my eyes to incredible work being done around the world by amazing people.

Hema Kumar Organizational Change Management Lead

WHEN IT COMES TO DRIVING SOCIAL CHANGE, WE ALL HAVE A PART TO PLAY Will you join us?

Head to www.taprootfoundation.org to learn more and get involved today!