Pro Bono Week is rocking in Richmond, VA

  • Written by Peyton Rowe

pbw14_logo_orange_RGBRichmond, Virginia is a hot spot of Pro Bono events this week. As many of you know, Pro Bono Week, a global celebration of the pro bono ethic across all sectors, is Oct. 19 through Oct. 25.  In honor of that outstanding week, three events are happening at Virginia Commonwealth University and each them is advocating Pro Bono and/or Skills-Based Volunteering in three different ways: doing, teaching, discussing.

capitaloneToday, Capital One will host its ScopeAthon serving Richmond’s small businesses at VCU’s Commonwealth Ballroom from 11am to 4:30pm. The ScopeAthon is an intensive diagnostic session for local business leaders using the resources of big industry professionals. These professionals will help small organizations address their most difficult challenges and create an actionable scope of work that will allow those businesses to achieve their goals. This is Capital One’s second year participating in Pro Bono Week, which also coincides with OneWEEK, their own charitable initiative where all Capital One associates commit to serving the community throughout the week.

Gold lettering - four colorTomorrow, two events are occurring at VCU. First, VCU’s Robertson School of Media & Culture and CreateAthon, in partnership with HandsOn Greater Richmond and A Billion + Change, will host Pro Bono 101, a free pro bono and skills-based volunteering workshop at the VCU School of Business, Snead Hall. This event is free to businesses and volunteer leaders at companies interested in understanding how pro bono programs can be so beneficial and the basics of how to create one. The workshop will include tools, knowledge, connections, and inspiration to businesses that desire to start and scale their own skills-based volunteering or pro bono program.

In the afternoon, VCU’s Annual International Business Forum will be at the VCU Commonwealth Ballroom from 3:30pm to 5:30pm. This event is free to the public. The theme of this year’s forum is “Doing Good by Doing Well: The Full Story behind Corporate Social Responsibility.” Speakers include Sue Stephenson, Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company; John Viera, Ford Motor Company; Cliff Yee, Capital One; and Jennifer Hunter, Altria Client Services Inc.

CreateAthon is happy to help bring these rich discussions and activities to Richmond, the home of our headquarters and an amazingly creative and engaged city. Look for updates on these events in social media!

Pro Bono rocks!