What is a Pro Bono?
Pro bono refers to a medical service that is given to the client voluntarily, either free of charge or comes at a substantially reduced cost. The term 'pro bono' is derived from the Latin expression "pro bono publico," which means "for the public good."
Pro bono is often associated with lawyers, but it is not unusual for members of other professions, such as financial advisors and medical practitioner to gratuitously give their expertise to others with limited resources.
How Does It Work?
In general, a pro bono service provider can do so only to a party that cannot afford its services. In doing so, rather than for the usual profit motive, the provider is seen to be offering value for the public good.
The possible pro bono service recipients include: - Individuals with minimal income - Charitable, corporate, cultural, religious, governmental, or educational organisations founded primarily to cater to limited means to individuals or families - Refugees and groups of refugees - Newly formed non-profit groups seeking to continue their institutional and operational establishment where payment of the regular fees would considerably haemorrhage or reduce the financial activities of the firm.
Various organisations were founded for hiring pro bono practitioners and assisting those interested in volunteering their time and resources for the public good. Such resource centres offer technical assistance and occasionally funds to help pro bono practitioners to cover out-of-pocket costs, such as documentation, printing, and posting fees.
Example of Pro Bono
Leading the way is the Financial Planning Foundation (FFP), a non-profit charity committed to providing pro bono financial services for those in need. The FFP helps involve and train volunteers to participate in services that support financially disadvantaged members of society, including disabled veterans, survivors of domestic abuse, and struggling single-parents.
