Why the Pro Bono Dashboard Appears Empty Without Approved Listings
Quick Answer
Your Pro Bono Dashboard will appear completely empty until you have at least one approved listing. Even though you can access the dashboard immediately after creating an account, no pro bono opportunities will be visible until Heritage Web approves your Profile, Organization, Event, or Job listing and the system can match you with appropriate cases.
Understanding the Empty Dashboard
What You'll See
When you access the Pro Bono Dashboard without an approved listing:
The page loads normally
All tabs (New, Accepted, Hidden) appear
Filtering options are visible
But NO opportunities display
The "I'll Take It" button never appears
This is not a bug - it's how the system protects client privacy and ensures quality matches.
Why This Happens
Heritage Web uses a sophisticated six-filter matching engine that requires verified information about your:
Professional licenses and credentials
Service specialties and expertise
Languages you or your team speak
Geographic service area
Valid contact information
Community connections
Without this verified data from an approved listing, the system cannot determine which pro bono opportunities match your capabilities.
The Approval Requirement
No Exceptions to This Rule
You must have an approved listing to:
See any pro bono opportunities
Access the "I'll Take It" button
Build your impact metrics
Help community members
This applies to everyone:
Individual professionals
Law firms
Healthcare organizations
All account types
Which Listings Work for Pro Bono
Most Common - Profile Listing:
Individual professionals (lawyers, doctors, therapists)
One per account maximum
Highest priority for matching
Best for solo practitioners
Organization Listing:
Nonprofits offering services
Therapy centers and clinics
Legal aid organizations
Good for team-based services
Rare - Job or Event Listings:
Occasionally match for specialized pro bono
Not typical for pro bono work
The Approval Timeline
Submission to Visibility
Day 1: Submit your listing for review
Days 2-4: Heritage Web reviews (1 day for sponsors, 2-3 for free)
Day 2-4: Approval notification received
Immediately after approval: Pro bono opportunities appear
No Retroactive Matching
Important: You won't see pro bono cases from before your approval date. The system only matches you with opportunities that come in after your listing is approved.
Common Confusion Points
"I Can Access the Dashboard"
Yes, but:
Dashboard access ≠ Lead visibility
It's like having a mailbox with no mail
The infrastructure is there, but content requires approval
"I'm a Licensed Professional"
That's great, but:
Heritage Web must verify your credentials
The system needs your information in the database
Manual review ensures quality for clients
"My Colleague Has Opportunities"
Because they have:
At least one approved listing
Completed the verification process
Active matching in the system
How to Fix an Empty Dashboard
Step 1: Create a Listing
If you haven't already:
Choose the appropriate listing type
Complete all required fields
Include professional licenses
Add specialties and languages
Submit for review
Step 2: Wait for Approval
Review times:
Sponsor listings: 1 business day
Free listings: 2-3 business days
Excluding weekends and holidays
Step 3: Check Your Status
Monitor your listing status:
"Pending Review" = Still waiting
"Rejected" = Fix issues and resubmit
"Approved" = Pro bono opportunities will appear
Step 4: Verify Matches
Once approved, if still empty:
Check your specialties align with community needs
Verify your radius is appropriate
Ensure licenses are valid
Confirm languages if specified in opportunities
Setting Yourself Up for Success
Optimize for Pro Bono Matches
Include in your listing:
All relevant practice areas (up to 10)
Languages spoken by you AND staff
Appropriate service radius
Community affiliations
Clear professional credentials
Consider Your Radius
Pro bono often requires in-person service:
Default is 75 miles
Email [email protected] to adjust
Balance reach with practical travel
Consider virtual capabilities
Think About Volume
Free Account:
3 pro bono contacts per month
Choose opportunities carefully
Focus on best matches
Sponsor Account ($25/month):
Unlimited pro bono access
Take any matching case
Build community impact faster
FAQs
Q: Can I browse pro bono opportunities before my listing is approved? A: No. The system requires an approved listing to show any opportunities, even for browsing.
Q: What if I work for a nonprofit - do I still need approval? A: Yes. All accounts require at least one approved listing, regardless of organization type.
Q: Can I speed up the approval process? A: Sponsor listings get priority review (1 business day vs. 2-3 days). This is the only way to expedite.
Q: Will I see past pro bono cases after approval? A: No. You'll only see opportunities that are matched after your listing approval date.
Q: My partner in the same firm sees opportunities but I don't. Why? A: Each professional needs their own approved Profile listing. Being part of the same Organization listing isn't enough for individual matching.
Important Notes
The Pro Bono Dashboard is not broken if it's empty
You cannot bypass the approval requirement
Creating multiple accounts won't help
Team member access still requires the owner to have approved listings
Enterprise accounts follow the same rules
Next Steps
Create your professional listing if you haven't already
Ensure all required fields are complete
Submit for review during business days
Consider sponsoring for faster approval
Set up email notifications for when opportunities arrive
Plan whether you want free (3/month) or unlimited access