The Pro Bono Consulting opportunity was first announced in Fall 2020, as a new Solutions Center initiative. Provided and sponsored by Second Nature partners Brailsford & Dunlavey and Coho (formerly CustomerFirst Renewables). Through this service, 23 campuses have received technical and advisory support worth up to $20,000 each to help with climate action planning, procurement of renewable power, and water resiliency strategy.
Who is eligible: Colleges and universities that are active signatories to one of the Presidents’ Climate Leadership Commitments and/or are members of the University Climate Change Coalition (UC3) are eligible to apply for pro bono technical assistance.
What are the consulting opportunities?
Brailsford & Dunlavey will provide advisory services to support:
Climate Action Planning: Recipient campuses will receive support in developing or updating a baseline greenhouse gas inventory and the drafting of a climate action roadmap, which includes an executive presentation to your campus leadership. This is a great option for campuses that are just getting started with climate action work.
Coho (formerly CustomerFirst Renewables) is offering consulting service opportunities on:
Shifting to Renewable Power: Recipient campuses will receive advisory services to support a transition to renewable power. The pro bono assistance will assess the institutions’ energy situation, identify renewable energy solutions, and recommend next steps for implementing one or more of the solutions.
Water Resiliency Strategy: Recipient campuses will receive a Water Diagnostic designed to: 1) uncover campus water risks and challenges, and 2) identify solutions that minimize water risks, combat growing water/sewer costs, and enhance resiliency. The campus will receive an executive report that includes a set of recommended actions and their associated costs and benefits, related to the water resiliency topics of interest.
Eligible campuses may apply for all three advisory services but can only be awarded one of the services.
How many campuses will receive consulting services?
Up to three campuses for each service may be awarded pro bono consulting. Up to nine campuses may receive pro bono consulting for round III of the program.
How do I Apply?
Please refer to the Round III FAQs and application guidance and questions.
The next round of Pro Bono Consulting will be announced in November 2023
Pro Bono Consulting Recipients
| Climate Action Planning | Shifting to Renewable Power |
| Carleton College (MN) | Davidson College (NC) |
| Furman University (SC) | Georgia Institute of Technology (GA) |
| Lane Community College (OR) | Miami University (OH) |
| Lewis & Clark College (OR) | Northern Illinois University (IL) |
| State University of New York: SUNY Cortland (NY) and University at Albany (NY) | Northern Arizona University (AZ) |
| The University of Arizona (AZ) | The College of New Jersey (NJ) |
| The University of the South (TN) | University of California, Riverside (CA) |
| University of North Carolina, Asheville (NC) | University of Maryland, Baltimore (MD) |
| University of Richmond (VA) | The University of Puerto Rico at Utuado |
| University of South Florida (FL) | |
| University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh (WI) | Water Resiliency Strategy |
| Salem State University (MA) | |
| University of San Diego (CA) | |
| Virginia Commonwealth University (VA) |
Round III Press Release (2023)
“Congratulations to all of the winning institutions! In conjunction with Brailsford & Dunlavey and Coho, we are happy to be able to provide this pro bono opportunity to the colleges and universities in our network, in support of your continued climate action efforts.
– Tim Carter, President, Second Nature
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Questions? Please Contact: [email protected].
Coverage/Articles:
SUNY Cortland to receive climate action consulting
Published Date: April 20, 2021
Source: SUNY Cortland News
USF advances action on climate planning with new grant funding
Published Date: March 29, 2021
Source: USF College of Marine Science News
TCNJ wins funding for sustainability initiative
Published Date: March 23, 2021
Source: The College of New Jersey
Pro bono consulting opportunity looks to make USF campuses environmentally friendly
Published Date: March 30, 2021
Source: The Oracle