Pro Bono
Black Skrippa Brigade
Website
How it works.
STEP 01
It all starts with you!
Once we receive your application, we’ll conduct our initial review. We may have questions or need more info at this point, so keep an eye on your email!
STEP 02
We schedule a meeting.
Within 7-10 business days we’ll reach out via email to schedule an initial meeting (video or in-person) to discuss your project and verify program eligibility.
STEP 03
We review your info.
We thoroughly review your application and project info against our eligibility criteria and availability. We’ll notify you within 10 business days of our decision.
STEP 04
We make a decision.
If accepted, we’ll reach out via email with next steps. If you’re not accepted this time, we’ll keep your info on file and notify you if anything changes!
Frequently asked questions.
Is it really free?
Yep! Participants in this program owe us nothing. No royalties, no hidden fees, nothing. It’s 100% free. Once you’re accepted the only things we expect from you are your feedback, mutual respect, and that you don’t violate our Anti-Hate Group policy or the terms of your Service Agreement.
What kinds of services can I receive under this program?
Any of our design, brand, or marketing services. The only services ineligible for this program are our ongoing support services and complex web design projects that require professional site management or a custom build (ie. sites built in Wordpress, Webflow, or Static HTML sites with Cloudflare or VPS hosting).
Can I apply to more than one program at once?
Of course! You’ll only be accepted into one program at a time to keep things fair, but you can apply to as many of our programs as you like.
Is there a limited number of open spots?
Unfortunately, yes, so we recommend you apply as soon as possible. Currently, we can take on an average of 2-3 Pro Bono clients per year, but can help as high as 8 depending on our availability and program funding.
That said, if you’re eligible but not accepted this time, we’ll keep your info on file for up to a year and reach out if a spot opens up or a participant in our Pay It Forward program is looking to sponsor a new applicant.
If I’m not accepted this time, how long before I can apply again?
We ask that you only apply once a year for this program. After that, you’re more than welcome to apply again!
I’ve participated in this program before, can I apply again?
Of course! That said, we prioritize new applicants over returning ones. This helps us ensure that more people can benefit from this program, not just a select few.
How do you decide who receives Pro Bono services?
We base our decisions on whether an applicant meets eligibility criteria, whether they’re a new or returning participant, and the order in which we receive eligible applications. To be eligible, your average annual profit margins cannot exceed 10% of your total gross revenue. Additionally, this program operates on a first-come-first-serve basis with priority given to new applicants over returning ones. This means even if you’re eligible, you may not be accepted at this time.
If you’re eligible but not accepted this go round, we’ll keep your info on file for up to a year and reach out if a spot opens up or a participant in our Pay It Forward program is looking to sponsor a new applicant.
How do I know if I’m eligible?
A quick way to figure out if you’re eligible or not is by figuring out your net profit margins. To do this, you divide your net annual profits (what you made after subtracting all taxes and operating expenses) by your gross annual revenue (what you made before subtracting taxes and operating expenses) then multiply the result by 100.
Net Annual Profits ÷ Gross Annual Revenue × 100 = Net Profit Margins
To calculate your Net Annual Profits: Gross Revenue - (Taxes + Operating Expenses) = Net Annual Profits
If the end result is 10% or below you’re eligible; if you get a number that’s slightly above 10% but below 10.44%, you’ll still be counted as eligible (we round down).
What if my financial situation changes mid-project?
If your net profits unexpectedly increase mid-project, congrats! We’ll continue on with your project as normal and you won’t suddenly be charged or dropped from the program. The last thing we want to do is penalize our clients for doing well, so we won’t.
If you decide you’d like to continue working with us once your Pro Bono project is complete, you’re more than welcome to check out our Affordable and Hybrid programs or (if you’re doing really well) you can hire us outright.
How do you verify eligibility?
Eligibility verification is handled via screen share during a video call or in person (for local applicants) only. We will never ask you to send copies of your documents to us (by mail, email, or any other method) nor will we store or retain copies of your sensitive information or financial documents in any capacity.
If you are asked to send copies of sensitive documents via email or any other method, we ask that you do not click any links, open any attachments, or send any sensitive documents and notify us immediately.
How is my eligibility verification information used?
Any information you share with us will only be used to verify program eligibility. We do not store, sell, or disclose this information to any third-parties.
What types of documents do you accept for verification?
Accepted documents include recent tax returns, P&L or Statement of Activities documents, and recent bank statements. We ask that any documents shared with us have all sensitive information redacted such as SSNs and account numbers.
We will never ask you to send copies of your documents to us (by mail, email, or any other method). If you are asked to send copies of sensitive documents, we ask that you do not click any links, open any attachments, or send any sensitive documents and notify us immediately. For further information, please reach out to us directly.