From business strategy to collaboration: How ZS is helping nonprofits thrive

At ZS, our dedication to business responsibility and impact (BRI) is at the heart of who we are. We believe in using our skills to make a positive social impact through volunteering and pro bono consulting services. Guided by our commitment to BRI, we proudly support mission-driven organizations that are driving social change.

One standout example is our ongoing partnership with Compass Pro Bono, a nonprofit that connects local nonprofits with business professionals to help build more resilient communities. By offering expertise in technology, marketing, data analytics and business strategy, ZSers help nonprofits increase funding, expand reach, improve operational efficiency and raise public awareness. This pro bono work supports ZS’s broader goal of improving life and how we live it.

Where passion changes lives: Our collaboration with Compass Pro Bono

ZS has a longstanding relationship with Compass Pro Bono, which regularly collaborates with us to provide purpose-driven client projects that align with ZSers’ professional skills and interests. Each year, Compass Pro Bono reviews ZS volunteer preferences, industry experience and availability to carefully match teams with nonprofits, ensuring a high-impact experience for both sides.

Through this partnership, ZSers apply their expertise in project management, sales effectiveness and strategic insights to help nonprofits navigate complex challenges and maximize social impact.

Making a measurable difference in 2024

In 2024, 15 ZSers across three locations contributed pro bono consulting support to 12 nonprofits. Their efforts spanned organizations like My Block My Hood My City, which uplifts underserved communities in Chicago through mentorship and education, and the Cancer Wellness Center, which provides emotional and physical support to those affected by cancer.

By donating their time and skills, ZSers helped these nonprofits increase their effectiveness and sustainability, creating meaningful, lasting change.

“Pro bono work for nonprofits is essential to effective community organizing because it brings professional expertise to mission-driven organizations that may otherwise lack access to these critical resources,” says Melissa Rodriguez Lapica, managing director at Compass Pro Bono. “ZS’s strategic insights and problem-solving expertise help nonprofits like ours operate more effectively and expand their reach.”

Pro bono work made part of ZS culture

ZS not only encourages employees to give back but also integrates volunteer and pro bono opportunities into our workplace culture. For Adriana Lawson, a strategy insights and planning associate consultant in Evanston, this support was key to balancing community work with her career.

Adriana first connected with Compass Pro Bono through a lunch-and-learn event and has since contributed her skills to multiple nonprofit initiatives.

“ZS makes it easy to engage in meaningful volunteer consulting work,” Adriana says. “It’s incredibly fulfilling to use what I do professionally to support causes I care about.”

Helping &Rise Women Inc. uplift survivors of trauma

This year, Adriana worked with &Rise Women Inc., a Chicago-based nonprofit founded by survivor and advocate Jennifer Solarte. The organization creates safe spaces for women recovering from trauma through counseling, education and peer support.

Adriana helped diversify &Rise’s fundraising programs and enhance revenue strategies—key to sustaining its mission of empowerment and healing.

“Being able to support a local organization that uplifts women survivors of abuse is deeply personal and professionally rewarding,” Adriana shares. “Pro bono strategy work can create a real difference, especially for small nonprofits doing powerful work with limited resources.”

Join ZS and make a difference through meaningful work

If you're looking for a career where you can grow your skills while giving back, ZS offers a unique opportunity to contribute to high-impact projects through pro bono consulting and community engagement. We empower our people to apply their talents where it matters most—whether supporting Fortune 500 clients or strengthening mission-driven nonprofits.

Explore careers at ZS to be part of a firm that’s committed to creating real change—for clients, communities and the planet.

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