pro bono

for

small business

A Target program in partnership with HandsOn Twin Cities

a note from target

Target recognizes the systemic and structural barriers that Black and Indigenous communities and communities of color face every day. We believe everyone has a role to play in addressing these injustices.

We’re committed to using our size, scale and resources to advance social justice and racial equity both inside and outside of Target. We are working toward a future where everyone, regardless of their race or background, has equal access to opportunities and in which everyone feels welcome, valued and respected.

In June 2020, in addition to our $10 million commitment from Target and the Target Foundation to invest in local and national partnerships to address social justice, we committed 10,000 hours of pro bono consulting services for Black-, Indigenous- and people-of-color-owned small businesses in the Twin Cities to help with their rebuilding efforts. The program has provided immense impact and we’re thrilled to continue this program nationally.

We are offering support to small businesses across a variety of functional areas that you will find outlined below. We invite you to share the challenges your business is facing and the needs we can help with, to set you up for a better future.

about the pro bono program

Target has committed to providing robust capacity-building support to BIPOC-owned small businesses. This program started in July 2020 and Target has already partnered with over 150 businesses. Explore the below case study for an example of impact. Target has partnered with HandsOn Twin Cities to lead the development and implementation of this program.

 

cohort: 2024

who we’re looking to support:

  • BIPOC-owned small businesses

  • Located in one of the following metro areas: Twin Cities, Atlanta, Bay Area, Chicago

  • In business 1+ years (or has prior entrepreneurial experience over 1 year)

  • Founder is 18 years or older

  • Able to manage a robust, virtual, 12-week pro bono project between end of April - mid July (2-4 hour commitment per week)

  • Needs must fit within the scope of available expertise (see list of specific business functions below)

program details:

  • Program will run from Jan 2024 - July 2024, inclusive of application process, scoping, project implementation, and program feedback

  • The heart of the program is the pro bono project, which runs from the end of April - mid July

    • Each selected business will be able to participate in one pro bono project

    • Each project will last up to 12 weeks and deliver up to 200 hours of pro bono consulting

    • Participating business owners are active collaborators on their projects, dedicating between 2 -4 hours of work time, per week, during project timeframe

  • Program is virtual; all participants will need to have reliable access to a computer and have comfort with basic technology skills (e.g. joining a virtual meeting, emailing, sharing/editing documents online, etc.)

program process & timeline:

  • HandsOn Twin Cities & Target will review intake form applications on a rolling basis until January 19th, 2024

    • Note: to manage application numbers, applications may close early

  • HandsOn Twin Cities will host Assessment Calls in January to move strong candidates forward

  • Selected small business clients will have 2 - 4 hours of prep work, including further scoping and trainings, in Feb - Mar before projects kick off end of April

pro bono project | business function areas:

Each participating business partakes in one pro bono project that addresses a challenge or opportunity their business is facing. Projects are focused in one of the below business function areas. The bold, sub-bullets represent one project focus. Projects can be cross-functional and tailored to needs of each specific business.

In the application, businesses can detail up to 3 potential projects to be considered for.

 

  • FINANCE

    • General Accounting and Finance

      • Assistance with managing financial books and records

      • Establishment and maintenance of office records

      • Setting forecasts/budgets and efficiently tracking expenses

      • Cash Forecasting

      • Bank Account Setup and Management: Setting up account structure to support business, understanding what account services are important to have/not have

    • Data Analytics and Reporting

      • Identify and create opportunities to use data and reporting to deliver business insights

      • Technical assistance with common business tools such as QuickBooks, Microsoft Office Suite, visualization software, etc.

    • Insurance

      • Review of insurance policies and discussions on what insurance terms mean and what each policy covers

      • Development of best practices for identifying and filing claims

      • Reviews of certain insurance claims

    • Safety

      • Risk Assessment: Complete risk assessment of equipment and process controls to protect team members and guests from injury

      • Safety Compliance: Review environment, processes and training to ensure compliance with OSHA regulations

  • FOOD & BEVERAGE (F&B)

    • F&B Product Development and Sourcing, including sustainable sourcing

    • F&B Distribution/Supply Chain Logistics: Replenishment and fulfillment strategies, cold chain/temp-controlled logistics, inventory management and planning, transportation, warehouse operations

    • F&B Business Development/Planning: Strategies to increase growth, partners, etc.

    • F&B Market Research/Industry Landscape: Competitive landscape

    • F&B Merchandising/Pricing: Strategy, assortment, planning, brand development, forecasting

    • F&B Store Operations: Selling processes and retail support, in-store experiences

    • F&B Food Quality/Safety

  • GENERAL MERCHANDISING

    • Assortment Product Plan and Pricing Strategy

      • Market analysis/competitive research (product focused)

      • Recommend assortment plan, including new revenue streams

      • Build pricing model and consult on pricing strategy

      • Line plan development (optimal product offering, inventory best practices)

    • Product Development (projects must go in order)

      • Fundamentals - product development process, retail math & product planning 

      • Financial planning focus  - forecasting and growth modeling

      • Design focus

      • Sourcing strategy

    • Packaging Development (each project can focus on one of the following)

      • Structural Packaging consult (advise on dielines, specs, format) – requires brand identity 

      • Packaging Material Sourcing Process – high-level (recs on vendors, RFI – excludes connections) 

      • Brand Identity Audit - review and suggestions (high level: typography, color, mood board, design brief, logo)

      • Packaging Design Consulting – requires design brief and strong product ethos 

      • Go to market planning - promo, space, presentation

    • HUMAN RESOURCES

      • Employee Recruiting and Retention Strategies: Consult on tactics

      • Employee Compensation and Benefits: Consult on tactics

      • Employee Training and Development: Assist in designing & developing training

      • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategies

      • Human Resources Operations: Policies, technology and analytics

  • MARKETING

    • Market Research: Research to uncover a deeper understanding of your customer

    • Brand Guidelines: Define what you stand for, the promise you make that differentiates you from the competition

    • Social Media Strategy: Based on your goals, a plan and training built to guide your actions and evaluate success across social platforms

    • Marketing Plan: A plan built to drive awareness or engagement with your target audience, guiding on where and how to reach them and how to measure success.

    • Brand Identity Work: Logo, color palette and typography to be leveraged across materials.

    • Creative Toolkits: Creating marketing materials/collateral

    • Digital Experience and Drivers:

      • Develop strategy to launch and measure web/app experience

      • Create a plan and training on digital tactics to drive traffic, engagement or repeat visits

  • OPERATIONS

    • Project Management: Building, remodeling, process, systems and programs

    • Design: Architecture, engineering, space planning, interior, graphic, fixture, etc.

    • Property Management: Building, site and asset maintenance and repairs, energy usage, building sustainability practices

    • Procurement: Sourcing, Contracts, Negotiation

    • Inventory Management:

      • Optimal ordering and hands on strategies

      • Predictive modeling and forecasting

      • Supplier performance and management

    • Supply Chain Logistics:

      • Replenishment planning and execution, including last mile and direct vendor ship for fulfillment

      • Warehouse management and operations, including quality practices, labor planning, and capacity utilization

      • Transportation logistics, including planning, carrier management

    • Commercial Real Estate Deals and Development: Retail, office and warehouse

  • TECHNOLOGY

    • Website Development: Build new or enhance existing website for brand building with features like products/services, search capability, and eCommerce plug ins

    • Collaboration Tool: Polls/survey/feedback and display summary of activities

    • Technical Strategy Consultation: Help with technology stack and technology solution recommendations, tools and training guidance

    • User Experience Enhancements: Assess current website and ensure it’s easy for customers to navigate

  • LEGAL (Twin Cities businesses only)

    • Corporate Law: Contract review, negotiation and drafting, real estate transactions, and business/entity formation.

    • Labor and Employment Law: Labor and employment advice including matters relating to unionization and union organizing, payment of wages, discrimination, retaliation, hostile work environment, protected leaves of absence, wrongful termination, the rights of undocumented workers and independent contractors, Immigration support, advising on criminal background checks and drug testing in employment.

    • Brands: Trademark, patent, copyright, licensing, software, and IP ownership considerations

    • Risk: Risk Assessments and Scenario planning, particularly regarding future decisions where there are high amounts of uncertainty. This can include facilitation expertise in designing and leading these sessions (e.g., company has a need to know when schools are likely to be in person in order to plan fall schedule, identify company’s top 3 risks over the next 12 months).

 

Applications accepted on a rolling basis until 1/19/24.

HOTC Reserves the right to close applications based on capacity and the number of projects requested.

For eligibility questions, reach out to joy@handsontwincities.org