The Public Relations Society of America’s National Capital Chapter (PRSA-NCC) pro bono committee is seeking proposals from nonprofit organizations based in the greater Washington, D.C. region that have a public relations challenge or opportunity and need additional resources to effectively address the issue. The deadline for submissions is midnight on Friday, February 9.
“PRSA-NCC’s pro bono committee was revitalized in 2015 and created as a means for public relations professionals to lend their time, talent and expertise to support a nonprofit in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan community through external communications efforts, as an adjunct to an existing team or infrastructure, for a two-year engagement,” said Lauren Lawson-Zilai, PRSA-NCC vice president and liaison to the pro-bono committee. “The PRSA-NCC membership feels it is critical to give back to the community through shared knowledge and experience through public relations, guide the chosen nonprofit on a path to professional success, and provide them with the tools and resources to implement a self-sustaining communications strategy for years to come.”
While the committee will consider all submissions, special consideration will be given to the following five issue areas, which respondents of PRSA-NCC’s member survey most frequently selected as social causes they are most interested in:
- Children and family
- Youth education and enrichment
- Girls and women
- Arts, culture, humanities
- Human services, such as food or housing
Following the RFP process, the PRSA-NCC’s pro bono committee will conduct a formal scoring process based on a number of criteria and ultimately narrow the applicants to five finalists for in-person interviews. The organization PRSA-NCC selects will receive communications consulting, training and services aligned with the organization’s needs. Support will include the creation of PR and digital materials; services such as media training; strategic counsel; and an audit of the nonprofit client’s communications structure. Additionally, the pro bono efforts will include identifying the key communications goals for the nonprofit client and support branding and marketing initiatives as needed.
PRSA-NCC’s previous pro bono client was The DC Alliance of Youth Advocates (DCAYA), which is a coalition of youth-engaged organizations, youth and concerned residents formed to ensure that all children and youth in the District of Columbia have access to high-quality and affordable developmental opportunities. In addition to working with a selected pro bono client, the PRSA-NCC pro bono committee also leads the Chapter’s charitable and community service work, which includes working with the Thoth Awards Committee to organize the charitable component of the Thoth Awards event.
For additional information and to download a copy of the RFP, visit the pro bono committee page at https://www.prsa-ncc.org/committees-sections/pro-bono-and-community-support.
