This spring, four Georgia Tech MBA students partnered with Atlanta nonprofit Global Village Project (GVP) through Georgia Tech's Pro Bono Consulting Program to help the organization build a stronger, more resilient fundraising strategy.
The Pro Bono Consulting Program pairs MBA students with Atlanta-area nonprofit organizations to address strategic challenges while providing hands-on consulting experience. By applying classroom knowledge to real-world issues, students help organizations strengthen their impact while developing leadership and problem-solving skills.
Ellie Cobb (MBA '26), Michelle Doyle (MBA '28), Megan Friedman (MBA '26), and Yihua Xu (MBA '26) worked with Global Village Project, a nonprofit that prepares immigrant and refugee girls for success in high school through an intensive educational program.
Facing growing funding uncertainty, GVP challenged the team to develop a data-driven strategy to help increase annual revenue from $2.4 million to $3.5 million over the next five years. The students analyzed donor data, benchmarked comparable organizations, and created a strategic funding plan focused on long-term sustainability.
Their recommendations emphasized strengthening relationships with existing donors, re-engaging lapsed supporters, expanding corporate partnerships, and diversifying funding sources. The team also proposed a detailed marketing strategy to increase annual giving while retaining current donors through targeted awareness campaigns, peer-to-peer fundraising, and improved donor stewardship. Additional recommendations included building on successful fundraising events and identifying new foundation and grant opportunities.
Despite challenges such as incomplete data and an evolving funding landscape, the students delivered practical, actionable recommendations that provide GVP with a roadmap for sustainable growth.
The project demonstrates the impact of Georgia Tech's Pro Bono Consulting Program, giving MBA students the opportunity to apply their skills in service of Atlanta nonprofits while helping organizations like Global Village Project strengthen their capacity to advance their mission.
The Institute for Leadership and Social Impact (ILSI) is an interdisciplinary institute at Georgia Tech dedicated to promoting servant leadership and advancing organizational practices that contribute to a more just, caring, and sustainable world. Through experiential learning, research, and community partnerships, we nurture leaders who drive meaningful social change—locally in Atlanta and globally. To learn more about our initiatives and programs, visit our website.