Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities

SECTION 1: What is PMWB? 

Project Managers Without Borders (PMWB) is a global social impact program of the Project Management Institute. Founded in 2014, it connects volunteer project professionals with nonprofits and NGOs so that these organizations can plan, deliver, and sustain their work more effectively. PMWB volunteers bring project management processes, tools, and practices that are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, helping partner organizations improve efficiency, connect day to day work with strategic goals, and make better use of limited resources. 

PMWB engagements take one of three forms: short term project support for a defined initiative, capacity building that leaves the organization with reusable tools and practices, or strategy consultancy that helps embed project management into how the organization operates. PMI Los Angeles Chapter delivers PMWB locally through the Social Impact team within PMO and Admin. 

To read the official program description, visit PMI's Project Managers Without Borders page: https://www.pmi.org/volunteer/project-managers-without-borders 

 

SECTION 2: PMWB Through Examples 

In short, PMWB helps organizations strengthen the way they plan and deliver their projects. The scope of that help is broad. It can mean building a plan for a single upcoming initiative, introducing tools and methods that staff can reuse across every program, translating a strategic plan into a concrete set of projects, or giving leadership clear visibility into work that is already underway. The examples below are only a small sample of what a PMWB engagement can look like. 

One nonprofit runs an annual community showcase and school programs across multiple sites. Planning is handled informally by a small team and depends heavily on individual memory and last-minute effort. PMWB helps them build a structured delivery plan with a defined scope, a realistic schedule, clear roles, and a risk log, so each cycle runs on a shared plan rather than on a few people's recollection. 

Another organization has no standard project management tools at all. Every program cycle starts from a blank page. PMWB works with their staff to create a small set of reusable templates and a simple methodology that fits their size and culture, so the next program starts from a proven starting point instead of from scratch. 

A third organization has just adopted a three-year strategic plan but is unsure how to turn broad goals into action. PMWB helps them break the plan into a prioritized portfolio of projects with owners, milestones, and a realistic sequence, giving the board a clear line of sight from strategy to execution. 

A fourth organization already runs many volunteer led activities, but leadership has no consolidated view of what is in progress, what is at risk, and what is complete. PMWB helps them set up a lightweight tracking and reporting practice, so decisions are made on current information rather than on anecdotes. 

Lasting improvement needs visible backing from the top, so every PMWB project requires sponsorship from the CEO or a formally assigned executive sponsor who champions the change, removes obstacles, and ensures the new practices are adopted beyond the project itself.  

Stronger project management is not only an internal benefit. When organizations deliver their programs more reliably and efficiently, the communities they serve feel the difference, which is why PMWB engagements can also contribute to measurable social impact aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. 

 

SECTION 3: Partner with PMWB 

If your organization could benefit from project management support, start with this short form. It takes about five minutes and does not commit you to anything. Our Social Impact team reviews every submission and will reach out to schedule a short conversation. Organizations that are a good fit will then receive our full partner questionnaire, which helps us understand your needs in detail and match you with the right volunteer team. 

Click here to submit your request to be considered a PMWB Candidate.  Thank you. Our Social Impact team will be in touch within two weeks.