Business Volunteers for the Arts leverages the Arts + Business Council’s corporate network to provide pro-bono consulting services to creative economy nonprofit organizations. Our business volunteers support organizations with expertise in accounting, finance, human resources, marketing, communications and strategy, among other areas.
If you’re an arts manager who has a project that could benefit from outside expertise, fill out an application to get matched with business volunteers eager to help out.
Applications are now closed. Please check back in Fall 2020 to apply or reach out to Tommy Butler at 215-790-3827 or [email protected] for more information.
For Business Professionals
Business professionals who participate in Business Volunteers for the Arts expand their skills and networks while lending much-needed and valued support to our cultural community. The ideal volunteer has business expertise in at least one specific area — accounting, finance, human resources, marketing, communications and strategy, among other areas — and possesses creativity, initiative, and flexibility.
We’ve mastered the art of the match, and we know how to help you and your company do good business in the region. Successful candidates have a strong interest in the arts and culture and community engagement. Candidates should be willing to commit 5 to 10 hours a month on a consulting project; pro bono projects typically take 3 to 12 months to complete.
For Arts + Culture Organizations
Gaining new skills and implementing novel strategies keep your organization on the cutting edge. Join the more than 260 arts and culture organizations working with the Arts + Business Council to engage untapped networks of support for your staff, board, and community.
If you’re an arts leader or manager who could benefit from a fresh perspective or additional expertise, and you’re willing to invest time and energy to lead your organization through a project — with the help of an experienced business professional — then Business Volunteers for the Arts is here to support you. Arts and culture organizations pay an administrative fee to the Arts + Business Council when a volunteer is placed. The fee is:
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$200 for organizations with operating budgets under $250,000
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$300 for organizations with operating budgets $250,000 to $500,000
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$500 for organizations with operating budgets $500,000 to $1 million
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$750 for organizations with operating budgets $1 million to $5 million
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$1,250 for organizations with operating budgets over $5 million
Program Impact
Artwell
Since its founding, Artwell has had a very passionate and active board, but historically struggled to engage diverse community members. William Haines, IV, Senior Vice President, Pennsylvania Trust, helped ArtWell to create a robust board development strategy, coached ArtWell leadership and staff, and helped them refine their board recruitment processes. They now have a board that accurately represents the community they serve and includes passionate, informed, and connected individuals who can help advance their mission for decades to come.
Rock to the Future
While helping Rock to the Future (RTTF) transition the organization’s financial systems from an outdated desktop product to a cloud-based nonprofit accounting system, volunteer Christine Ostrowski, Deputy Chief Financial Officer, School District of Philadelphia, found inconsistencies within RTTF’s financial practices. She helped to correct past errors and encouraged best financial practices going forward. She also identified a solution to strengthen overall financial management; RTTF will seek to raise funds to invest in this system as the organization continues to grow.
Upper Darby Arts & Education Foundation
Volunteer Angelina Sciolla, Executive Creative Director, Benchworks, was tasked with creating a marketing plan for Upper Darby Arts & Education Foundation (UDAEF) to reach corporate and individual donors. After the project, UDAEF’s Executive Director Jennifer Schoener shared this testimonial: “Angelina’s incredible vision, commitment, efficiency, and drive have really pulled together a vast amount of information into a very manageable project. She designed marketing samples for UDAEF so that we may use them for future years (given our limited budget) and she is a nonprofit’s dream come true.”
QUESTIONS?
Contact Tommy Butler, Director, Programs + Operations at (215) 790-3827 or [email protected]
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