Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

12 Nonprofits to Receive Pro Bono Advice from Morgan Stanley’s Strategy Challenge

Morgan Stanley’s signature pro bono volunteer program brings together some of our best talent to collaborate on solving nonprofits’ critical issues
Apr 8, 2014 9:30 AM ET

NEW YORK, April 8, 2014 /3BL Media/ – Morgan Stanley announced today that the following 12 nonprofit organizations will participate in the sixth annual Strategy Challenge, the Firm’s signature skills-based volunteer program providing nonprofits with pro bono strategic consulting. 

  • American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
  • Catholic Guardian Services
  • Children of Promise, NYC
  • Day One NYC
  • Good Shepherd Services
  • Greenwich House
  • Hamilton Family Center
  • International Rescue Committee
  • Metropolitan College of New York
  • New Alternatives for Children
  • Phipps Neighborhoods
  • Project Renewal

The Strategy Challenge pairs each of these nonprofit organizations with a team of four Morgan Stanley employees for eight weeks.  The employee volunteers utilize their professional expertise and skills to address a mission-critical issue facing each organization.  Over the course of the project, employees partner with nonprofits to develop a solution that helps the nonprofits fulfill their missions in more effective and efficient ways.  

The 12 nonprofits work on causes ranging from suicide prevention to youth education to support for children of incarcerated parents.  Participating organizations are based in New York and San Francisco.

“We place the utmost value on the essential support that nonprofits provide in local communities.  These organizations diligently serve their constituents but often have limited expertise or resources to truly maximize their impact,” said Joan Steinberg, Head of Morgan Stanley Community Affairs and President of the Morgan Stanley Foundation.  “Our employees are equipped with the business and management skills that can help nonprofits overcome strategic challenges, and we as a firm appreciate the opportunity to impact the communities where we live and work through this program.”  

Since establishing the Strategy Challenge in 2009, Morgan Stanley has delivered 32,500 hours of pro bono services to 61 nonprofits, worth approximately $4.9 million, according to standards developed by the Taproot Foundation.  The Strategy Challenge is a joint effort between Morgan Stanley’s offices of Community Affairs and Global Sustainable Finance.

“The Strategy Challenge draws on Morgan Stanley’s expertise in solving complex problems and creating long-term value – in the work we do for our clients and in our communities,” said Audrey Choi, Head of Global Sustainable Finance at Morgan Stanley.  “This signature initiative applies the Firm’s strength in delivering client-centric solutions and provides participating nonprofits with tailored recommendations that help them more effectively deliver on their missions.”

The Morgan Stanley volunteers will present their recommendations for the nonprofits at a competition in June before experts from the private and nonprofit sectors. 

For more information on the Strategy Challenge, please visit http://www.morganstanley.com/strategychallenge. 

Morgan Stanley is a leading global financial services firm providing a wide range of investment banking, securities, investment management and wealth management services.  The Firm's employees serve clients worldwide including corporations, governments, institutions and individuals from more than 1,200 offices in 43 countries.  For further information about Morgan Stanley, please visit www.morganstanley.com.

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