Managing Pro Bono Requests

Quick Answer

Manage pro bono requests through your dashboard tabs: review new opportunities in "New," track accepted cases in "Accepted," remove unwanted matches to "Hidden," and monitor your monthly access usage (3 for free users, unlimited for sponsors) while tracking impact metrics.

Overview

Effectively managing pro bono requests helps you maximize your community impact while maintaining a sustainable workload. This guide covers organizing opportunities, tracking your cases, and optimizing your monthly access allowance.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Set Up Your Notification Preferences

Configure how you receive alerts about new matches:

Email notifications are automatic for all users
Sponsors can enable SMS alerts for faster response
Free users receive notifications 24 hours after sponsors
Check notification settings in Account Settings

Step 2: Use Dashboard Filters Effectively

Narrow opportunities to find the best matches:

Filter by Country, State, or City for local cases
Select specific Industries for your expertise areas
Use the search bar for keyword searches
Sort by "Most recent" to see newest opportunities first

Step 3: Organize Opportunities Across Tabs

Tab	Purpose	Action Items
New	Browse unaccepted matches	Review daily, hide irrelevant cases
Accepted	Track active cases	Monitor ongoing pro bono work
Hidden	Removed opportunities	Periodically review for changes

Step 4: Manage Your Monthly Access

Free users with 3 monthly accesses should:

Review all available options before accepting
Prioritize high-impact or urgent cases
Check the access counter before clicking "I'll Take It"
Consider upgrading if regularly hitting limits
Remember: resets on the 1st of each month

Step 5: Track Your Impact

Monitor your contribution through dashboard metrics:

People Helped This Month
People Helped This Year
Total People Helped (lifetime)
Use these metrics for personal records and reporting

Step 6: Hide Irrelevant Opportunities

Keep your dashboard organized:

Click "Hide this lead" on unsuitable matches
Hidden leads move to the "Hidden" tab
Doesn't affect other professionals' access
Reduces dashboard clutter

Important Notes

Unlike paid leads, pro bono opportunities aren't exclusive
Track your own hours for compliance requirements
Contact clients within 24 hours of accepting
Sponsor status provides unlimited access across all listing types

FAQs

Q: Can I "unhide" a pro bono opportunity? A: Hidden opportunities remain in your Hidden tab but cannot be moved back to New. Review carefully before hiding.

Q: How do I increase my monthly access limit? A: Upgrade any listing to sponsor status ($25/month) for unlimited pro bono access. This applies account-wide regardless of which listing type you sponsor.

Q: What happens to unaccepted opportunities? A: They remain available to other matched professionals and expire after 60 days if no one accepts them.

Q: Should I accept cases outside my primary expertise? A: Only accept cases where you can provide competent representation. The matching system ensures you meet minimum qualifications, but use professional judgment.