Nonprofits
Working With Community Partners
When nonprofits seek results-oriented advice, they turn to us for pro bono assistance. What we offer is unmatched: thoughtful analysis, actionable solutions that are tailored to the needs of each client organization and delivered free of charge by teams of Harvard Business School alumni.
We Offer Three Distinct Types Of Pro Bono Assistance
Office Hour Consult
Hour-long high-level consultation.
The leader of the nonprofit is paired with one or two alumni consultants for a discussion of a business issue that can be narrowly defined and summarized in the consult call.
Client Org’s Leadership (ED/CEO or Board leader) participates in the call.
Guidelines for Organization:
- Employs at least 3 full-time paid staff or equivalents
- Annual budget of $100,000 or more
Brainstorming Sessions
A 2-hour, high-energy session to generate new thinking around a well-defined topic.
Session includes alumni volunteers and leadership of organization. It’s moderated to percolate new thinking and provide feedback to client team on a well-articulated business challenge or opportunity.
Client Org’s Leadership (ED/CEO or Board leader) participates in session.
Guidelines for Organization:
- Employs at least 3 full-time paid staff or equivalents
- Annual budget of $100,000 or more
Consulting Projects
A multi-phased, 3-4 month deep-dive engagement, addressing opportunities of strategic importance to organization’s leadership.
Team’s work is guided by a tailored project plan, including interim milestones and a final presentation of Team’s findings actionable recommendations
Client Org’s Leadership (ED/CEO or Board leader) commits to active involvement in project, including participating in project kickoff and final presentation.
Guidelines for Organization:
- Employs at least 3 full-time paid staff or equivalents
- Annual budget of $300,000 or more
General Requirements For Nonprofits
- Organization is tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
- Organization is located in and focuses its activities and programs in the Greater New York City Area.
Scholarships And Recognition Awards
Helping nonprofit leaders maximize their impact through full scholarships to HBS executive education programs and awards recognizing excellence in nonprofit management and governance.
Scholarships For Nonprofit Leaders
Each year, Community Partners selects leaders of nonprofits to receive full scholarships to attend executive education programs offered through the HBS Social Enterprise Initiative: Driving Nonprofit Performance and Innovation – Virtual and Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management.
Community Partners Leadership Awards
This award was established in 2015 to recognize, reward and celebrate Community Partners’ clients that have demonstrated outstanding management and governance practices in their work. In 2019, eligibility was extended to include nonprofit organizations on which HBS alumni serve as board members.
What Our Clients Say About Our Work
"Team members brought to the table an intense curiosity, strategic thinking, consummate professionalism, and a personal passion for broadening access to high quality arts education."
"The team was able to analyze a complex set of issues and present their findings to our board of directors. The team was supremely professional and a joy to work with."
"The HBS volunteers were professional, prepared, and full of great recommendations."
"From beginning to end, the process was thoughtful, robust, authentic and methodical."
"The team of volunteers that was assembled was dedicated, knowledgeable, and extremely generous with its time and talent. I am eager to work with them again and also refer them to other nonprofits."
"Harvard Community Partners assembled a first rate group of MBAs with diverse backgrounds relevant to our project. We are in the process of implementing many of their ideas."
The partnership with Community Partners gave our board an opportunity to meet and discuss strategy in a new context that is contributing to how we are organizing our work going forward.
"What an amazing opportunity to sit, think, listen and innovate with professionals who have been doing this work for years."