One Spark, 12 Organizations, 5 minute assessments equals pro bono matches

One Spark + 12 Organizations + 5 minute assessments = pro bono matches

 

In the spirit of Global Pro Bono Week, Spark is hosting Tell Us What Hurts.  At this lunch hour event we stay true to our matchmaking service comparison and go one step further to host what can best be described as a speed dating session.  There isn’t any stale popcorn at the tables or score cards at the end, but we do sit one-on-one with organizations for quick five minute speed assessments.  We believe these assessments allow organizations to discuss (albeit briefly) areas or projects within their organizations they would like to improve, update, or launch and that would not be possible without specialized skills or support.  After the event, follow-up meetings are scheduled to further develop the project and prepare the organization for a potential future match. 

 

Now in its fifth cycle, Spark has turned many of these speed assessments into successful matches.  Here’s a snapshot of some of the different matches that came out of those five minute ‘speed dates’ in the past:

 

  • Mentorship for BUILD: A mentorship match was made between BUILD Executive Director Art Ladd and Dinis Prazeres, president of JEDS Construction.  For one year Art and Dinis met to discuss development within the construction sector and new growth opportunities for BUILD.  This led not only to a friendship between the two but a new connection between BUILD and Transcona Roofing. 
  • Design/Architecture for Fort Garry Women’s Resource Centre: FGWRC was matched with Jason Kasper from IDEATE Design for a space assessment.  Post match, FGWRC reported that having the assessment tool created by Jason and his team gave the Centre greater confidence to move forward with looking for the right space for their future home. 
  • Evaluation for Career Trek: A current Spark match, Career Trek is matched with Gerry Kaplan of Kaplan Research Associates.  Together they are working to advance Career Trek’s evaluation practices to new standards within their Learning Model.  

 

Spark has found Tell Us What Hurts to be mutually beneficial as it helps both us and the organizations better prepare for potential matches and the work ahead.

 

Not bad for a free lunch!