Pro Bono Program Overview

Quick Answer

The Pro Bono Program connects underserved community members with free professional services through Heritage Web's network. Browse opportunities freely, then use monthly accesses (3 for free users, unlimited for sponsors) to connect with clients needing pro bono assistance. You must have at least one approved listing to receive matched pro bono opportunities.

Overview

The Pro Bono Program serves both as a social impact initiative and a professional development opportunity. Using a "browse freely, pay to connect" model, it enables professionals and businesses to provide free services to community members who cannot afford traditional rates. The program leverages Heritage Web's extensive network of over 300 publications to match clients with culturally and linguistically aligned professionals.

Key Program Features

Access Tiers

Tier	Monthly Access	Cost	Best For
Free	3 pro bono contacts	$0	Professionals taking occasional pro bono cases
Individual Sponsor	UNLIMITED contacts	$25/month	Regular pro bono participants and firms meeting requirements
Enterprise	UNLIMITED for all team members	Starting at $500/month	Law firms and organizations with pro bono commitments

Dashboard Components

Impact Metrics

Track your social impact with real-time statistics:

People Helped This Month: Your current month's pro bono clients
People Helped This Year: Annual impact counter
Total People Helped: Lifetime contribution to communities
Opportunities This Year: Available cases in your area

Monthly Access Tracker

Free users see a progress indicator showing:

Current usage (e.g., "1/3" accesses used)
Visual progress bar
Reset date (1st of each month)
Prompt to upgrade when approaching limit

Opportunity Tabs

New: Fresh pro bono opportunities matched to your listings
Accepted: Cases you've taken on with full contact details
Hidden: Opportunities you've removed from view

How Matching Works

The Pro Bono Program uses the same 6-filter matching engine as paid referrals:

Publication Priority: Opportunities from your listed publications appear first
License Verification: Matches your professional credentials
Specialty Alignment: Connects based on your practice areas (up to 7)
Language Match: Includes languages you and your team speak
Geographic Range: Default 75-mile radius (adjustable via support)
Experience Level: Prioritizes by years of practice when multiple matches exist

The "Browse Freely, Pay to Connect" Model

Browse: View all matched opportunities without restriction
Preview: See full case details except contact information
Connect: Click "I'll Take It" to access client contact details
Track: Monitor your monthly usage and impact metrics

Notification System

Receive alerts when new pro bono opportunities match your listings:

Email Notifications

All users receive email alerts for matched opportunities
Email includes case description and key details (no contact information)
Click the link in email to go directly to your dashboard
Free listings receive notifications 24 hours after sponsors

SMS Notifications (Sponsors Only)

Available for sponsor listings when configured
Immediate alerts for time-sensitive opportunities
Direct link to dashboard for quick action

Important Notes

Listing Requirement: You must have at least one approved listing (profile, organization, job, or event) to receive pro bono matches
Manual Review: All submissions undergo 24-hour review with third-party verification
Sponsor Benefits: ANY sponsor listing type (profile, organization, event, or job) provides unlimited pro bono access
Higher Engagement: 25-50% better response rates than industry average due to the trust and understanding built through cultural and language matching
No Exclusivity: Unlike paid leads, pro bono opportunities may be visible to multiple professionals
Hours Tracking: Professionals are responsible for tracking their own pro bono hours for compliance requirements

FAQs

Q: Why can't I click "I'll Take It" on some opportunities? A: The button only appears for opportunities that match your approved listings. Ensure your listing includes relevant specialties, languages, and is within the geographic range of the opportunity.

Q: What happens when I use all 3 monthly accesses as a free user? A: You can still browse opportunities, but cannot access contact information until the next month, or you upgrade to sponsor. A red indicator will show "You've used all free accesses. Upgrade for unlimited."

Q: Do pro bono cases count toward any professional requirements? A: Yes, but you'll need to track your hours manually. The dashboard displays your cases and impact metrics, which you can use for your own compliance reporting purposes.

Q: Can I refer a pro bono opportunity to a colleague? A: You cannot transfer opportunities, but colleagues with matching approved listings will see the same opportunities in their dashboards.

Q: How quickly should I contact pro bono clients? A: Best practice is within 24 hours. Pro bono clients often have urgent needs and may be reaching out to multiple resources.

Q: When do I receive notifications about new pro bono opportunities? A: Free listings receive email notifications 24 hours after sponsors. Sponsor listings get immediate email alerts and can also enable SMS notifications for faster response.