Most Fridays, Taylor M. would grab his cup of coffee, settle into his home workspace and dive into a project for Allstate. But not this particular Friday.
Instead, he'd spend this day working for someone else. And not only was his manager cool with it – she encouraged him to do it.
That's because Taylor joined more than 100 Allstaters volunteering their professional skills to support nonprofits in achieving goals they may not have the staff, budget or specific expertise to do themselves. Like developing marketing plans, reimagining fundraising campaigns or squaring up finances.
The Allstate Foundation organizes these "flash consulting days" with Common Impact, which helps connect companies and nonprofits, each quarter. Together, they assemble teams of Allstate employees and match them with nonprofits who'd benefit from their talents.
This event, held in January, marked the third time Taylor participated as a team lead.
He and the other volunteers partnered with 20 nonprofits working to empower youth, disrupt relationship abuse and increase access to thriving-wage careers through workforce readiness. Taylor, a senior content designer, lent his website and UX design talents to National Runaway Safeline, a national communications system that helps youth and families in crisis.
"Within the same period of time that you can pick up litter, you can build out three years of a future state for a website for a nonprofit that's in need of that – that can't hire somebody to do that full time," Taylor said.
And because flash consulting can be done virtually, almost anyone can participate, regardless of location or physical ability.
"Allstate makes it easy to get involved in ways that are flexible," Taylor said. "You can still make a huge impact from your own home," he added, noting that most Allstaters work remotely.
Taylor has enjoyed his pro bono work with The Allstate Foundation so much, he decided he wanted to give it a go on his own. He put a call out in a post on his LinkedIn page offering free consulting sessions to nonprofits and UX professionals early in their careers.
"The Allstate Foundation sparked this interest in me," Taylor said. "I've had two nonprofits reach out and they are now ongoing projects."
Taylor hopes his commitment for skills-based volunteerism inspires others to get involved.
"It's special to work for a company that not only helps you develop in-demand skills, but also encourages you to take them outside and use them to make the world a better place," said Taylor.
"That's a pretty cool thing."
Making an impact
Learn more about the ways The Allstate Foundation and Allstaters are helping communities thrive.
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