INFORMS Pro Bono Analytics works with nonprofit organizations to identify analytics projects with which they need help and then connects them with a pool of volunteers will to do those projects on a pro bono basis. We work mainly with smaller nonprofits (whose budgets would not allow them to hire consultants), and in many cases with social entrepreneurs (who have minimal if any paid staff). A significant proportion of our clients serve what are typically considered underserved communities. On the spectrum of "analytics sophistication", our clients range from having some awareness that analytics exists but spotty if any data to "prescriptive analytics" (we've actually had an integer programming project).
We always welcome more volunteers, but where we can really use help is getting an "in" with nonprofits that might be considering doing something related to analytics, whether it be collecting / organizing / cleaning data, descriptive analytics (pretty pictures for funding agencies are shockingly popular), or something more sophisticated. If you work with or have connections with a nonprofit organization, we would greatly appreciate your letting them know that we exist. Our web site (hosted here on Connect) contains more information for both volunteers and nonprofits.
Thanks for any introductions you would care to provide. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact any of the committee members. (We're listed on the web site.) Also, apologies for the long sentences. I was an academic.
Paul
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Paul Rubin
Professor Emeritus
Michigan State University
East Lansing MI
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