Pro Bono Support for NPOs addressing educational issues

JAPAN

Sumitomo Corporation, by utilizing its skills and experience gained through work and providing solutions, supports enhancing the management base of NPOs who work on educational issues, ultimately to promote “Quality Education.”

What is Pro Bono?

Pro Bono refers to activities where people provide skills and experience gained through their work as volunteers to help solve social issues. We have various educational issues in Japan, and to solve them, cooperation among various sectors such as government, educational institutions, local communities, NPOs, families and even private companies is indispensable. NPOs in particular take an important role to include everyone. Sumitomo Corporation started Pro Bono to support educational NPOs to strengthen their operational base so as to accelerate "Quality Education."

Listening to the needs of NPOs

In Pro Bono, a group of 4-5 employees from various departments work together as a team. Listening to needs and having conversations with the NPO, a Pro Bono team first deepens their knowledge and understanding on the educational issues that the NPO is addressing as well as its own operational issues. Then, the team identifies the tasks and goals for Pro Bono and ultimately provides a proposed solution at the end.

Communications (PR strategies, Website/SNS, Brochures)

Operational Improvements (Operational Flow Design, Manuals)

Project Strategies (Project Planning, Marketing Survey & Analysis)

Fundraising (Presentation Materials, Crowdfunding)

Pro Bono even changes ourselves

Through Pro Bono, I realized just how closely we are connected to society. A willingness to help is all it takes to start moving things forward. Another great achievement was that my daughter now sees me in a new light, and says things like “I can’t believe my father is involved in social contribution activities!” (Seiji Shimizu, Planning & Coordination Dept., Metal Products Business Unit)

It was a wonderful accomplishment! I learned a lot from the NPO people from their passion, insight, and ability to break through, as well as from the team members for their skills and mindset. It was also inspiring to encounter values that I do not usually get to see in my daily work. (Momoko Awata, Electronic & Functional Materials Dept.)

I was reminded of the importance of working with an awareness of the need to change society for the better. I was also glad to see so many people in Sumitomo Corporation with a high level of empathy and a willingness to help people in vulnerable situations. (Kimihiko Koshima, Hydrogen Business Dept.)

Voice from the NPO we supported

This activity was based on a network of goodwill. The Pro Bono team worked really hard to search for, consider, and make clear our strengths and shortcomings. Thanks to your presentation materials and brochures, the local government, who had been indifferent for quite some time, suddenly approached us for a consignment. I enjoyed working with you and hope this opportunity was as meaningful for you as it was for us. Ms. Michiko Hayashida (Representative, I am OK Association)

Activity Records