Local church in Omaha asked if I'd audit their OPPD account as a community service. They're a nonprofit with a tight budget and utility bills around $2,500/month. My instinct is to help but I also don't want to set a precedent where every nonprofit in town expects free audits. Anyone do pro bono work and how do you manage it?
Pro bono audits for nonprofits — good marketing or giving away value?
I do one or two pro bono audits a year for nonprofits in Wichita. I pick organizations I personally care about and treat it as community service, not marketing. I still write a formal report and if I find savings I help them file the claim. The goodwill is genuine and word gets around in a positive way. I don't advertise it as a service — I just quietly help when the right opportunity comes along. Set a personal limit on how many you'll do per year so it doesn't become a drain.
Bonnie's approach is wise. Pro bono work for the right organizations is good for the community and good for your professional reputation. The key is to be selective and intentional. Don't offer free audits to every nonprofit that asks — pick one or two per year that align with your values. Treat the engagement with the same professionalism as a paying client. And don't underestimate the referral value — nonprofit board members are often business owners who will hire you for their commercial accounts at full rate.
Did the church audit as a community service. Found they were paying sales tax on electricity they were exempt from as a nonprofit — about $3,200/year. Filed for a 3-year refund of $9,600. Church treasurer was thrilled and told every business owner in the congregation. Got three paying referrals within a month. Bonnie and Randy were both right — selective pro bono work pays for itself.