A Billion + Change Inspires Largest Commitment of Pro Bono Service in History

WASHINGTON, June 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, A Billion + Change will announce that it has inspired the largest commitment of pro bono service in history. More than 500 companies across the country -- from the largest in the Fortune 100 to the smallest sole proprietorships -- have committed to provide more than $2 billion worth of skills-based volunteer services to help nonprofits address critical community priorities at home and around the world.  

Michelle Nunn, CEO of Points of Light, the largest organization in the world dedicated to volunteer service, will announce this at Points of Light's National Conference on Volunteering and Service in Washington, D.C. Leadership partners of the campaign, including Deloitte, IBM, HP, The Case Foundation, Corporation for National and Community Service, Capital One and MWW will speak about the growing importance of pro bono service in corporate social responsibility and will share examples of how they are contributing their most valuable assets to communities -- the skills and talents of their people.

"Two years ago, a small but determined core group of businesses and service leaders stepped up to the economic downturn and pledged their support to A Billion + Change," said Michelle. "Our pledge companies and partners have brought us to this moment -- this defining milestone in the history of the service movement. Just as ad agencies pitched in to support WW II and lawyers answered JFK's call to enforce Civil Rights laws, companies have all stepped up in a big way to lead transformational change through pro bono service."

"As a businessman, I knew that amazing, talented individuals who really wanted to make a difference stood just behind the front door of nearly every company in America," said Senator Mark Warner, who serves as the honorary chair of A Billion + Change. "From Main Street to Wall Street, businesses have come together to get behind using pro bono service to unite and change individuals, businesses and communities. If we keep at it, together we can transform business culture in America and create a 'new normal' in which every company will unleash the talent and expertise of its people in pro bono service."

"We've made incredible strides in building the movement for companies to provide nonprofits with the best asset that they have to offer -- their people. At a time when cash donations are not increasing at the pace that is needed for nonprofits to keep up with the need for expanded services, skills-based pro bono volunteering is more important than ever," said Jean Case, CEO of the Case Foundation and founding steering committee member of A Billion + Change.

Whether it's volunteering mentoring, marketing, financial or strategic consulting services or sitting on a nonprofit board, businesses are redefining what it means to give back to communities through skills-based volunteer service.

"Billion + Change helps bring the unmatched skills and expertise of America's business professionals to nonprofits that address our nation's most pressing problems -- from closing the achievement gap to filling the pipeline for a 21st Century workforce -- exactly when it's needed most," said Wendy Spencer, CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service, who served on the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation, the entity that launched the initiative in 2008. "I am so proud that the Corporation for National and Community Service helped lead the creation of this critical capacity-building resource to our nation's nonprofits."

Here are the key facts behind the Billion + Change campaign:

• More than 500 companies have pledged more than $2 billion worth of pro bono services -- the equivalent of over 6,400 full-time employees -- to tackle the tough problems and pressing needs of nonprofits and communities.
• The top three pledge states are: Pennsylvania, New York, Texas and California, with 46, 43, 35 and 30 pledges respectively. The D.C. Metro Area has the most pledges.
• 50% of pledges are small businesses, 3% are mid-size, and 47% are large companies.
• The top five pledge industries are: architecture and design, communications/PR, financial services, technology and professional services.
• The top three impact areas are: education, youth, community revitalization and the environment/conservation.

A Billion + Change pushed past its goal when it announced a partnership with Public Architecture's 1% program. Public Architecture's network represents the 1% national network of nearly 1200 architecture and design firms who commit nearly $45 million in pro bono services every year.

To tell the stories of A Billion + Change's pledge companies, the campaign has released "The Billion + Change Story: A First Look Inside the Largest Commitment of Corporate Pro Bono Service in History." The publication reviews the progress pledge companies have made since November 2011, the lessons they have learned, and the impact they've had. It also gives life to the numbers through stories illustrating how companies have added value to their communities and businesses through pro bono. To download a copy, please visit www.abillionpluschange.org. For quotes from our founding members please visit: www.abillionpluschange.org/news/press_releases

About A Billion + Change
A Billion + Change is a national campaign inspiring the largest commitment of pro bono service in history. It was launched by the Corporation for National and Community Service in 2008 and continues as an initiative of the federal agency. Reinvigorated in 2011 with expanded leadership under the honorary chairmanship of Senator Mark Warner, it is now housed and managed by Points of Light, the largest organization in the world dedicated to volunteer service. The initiative is powered by the support of Deloitte, HP, the Case Foundation, IBM, Capital One and MWW with additional founding support from State Farm, McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP and Morgan Stanley. Learn more at: www.abillionpluschange.org.

SOURCE A Billion + Change