Volunteer with Other GSB Alumni

Help Power Global Change

Volunteering with Project Redwood is a powerful way to use your skills, experience, and perspective to support high-impact organizations working to reduce global poverty.

Whether you enjoy evaluating ideas, welcoming new alumni, supporting grantees, or helping us tell our story, there’s a meaningful role waiting for you.

You’ll work alongside fellow GSB graduates, contribute to real-world change, and deepen your connection to a mission-driven community.

Why Volunteer with Project Redwood

Make a meaningful difference while connecting with fellow GSB alumni from classes spanning 40 years. Project Redwood offers fulfilling ways to give back, grow your skills, and expand your impact.

Purpose

Use your experience, talent, and perspective to drive real-world impact, and see the tangible results of your contribution.

Connection

Build meaningful relationships with fellow GSB alumni who share your values and commitment to creating positive change.

Growth

Stretch beyond your comfort zone, strengthen your leadership and problem-solving skills, and gain exposure to global social innovation.

Fulfillment

Give back in a way that feels energizing, intellectually engaging, and deeply rewarding, while making a difference where it matters most.

Explore Example Volunteer Opportunities

Review and Recommend Grants

Help shape Project Redwood’s impact by evaluating exciting, high-potential projects from around the world. You will review and discuss grant proposals, collaborate with fellow Stanford GSB alumni, oversee the voting process, and help recommend the most promising grantees to our Board. It’s meaningful, intellectually engaging, and a powerful way to be part of real change.

Commitment: Approximately 3–5 hours per week from January through May.

Foster Collaboration

Help build connections across Project Redwood’s global grantee community by supporting thoughtful learning exchanges and collaborative conversations. You’ll help grantees share ideas, strengthen relationships, and learn from one another’s experiences. It’s a dynamic role for someone who enjoys bringing people together and sparking meaningful dialogue.

Commitment: Occasional planning sessions. Facilitate Leadership Circles, which meet approximately eight times per year. Leadership Circles commit to confidentiality and inclusivity.

Measure Real Impact

Support Project Redwood’s mission by helping assess the outcomes of the projects we fund. In this role, you’ll review grantee reports, compare results to original goals, and help determine how effectively our investments are improving lives and strengthening communities. It’s an opportunity to apply analytical thinking to social impact and to see the difference our funding makes firsthand.

Commitment: Approximately 3 to 5 hours semi-annually.

Share Our Stories

Help amplify Project Redwood’s impact by crafting compelling communications, shaping outreach strategy, or applying your digital skills. Whether you love writing, designing, messaging, analyzing data, or exploring technologies, this is a great way to support our virtual organization and help tell the stories of our grantees and their successes. It’s creative, collaborative, and essential to how we inspire others to get involved.

Commitment: Regular monthly meetings with additional time based on specific areas of interest.

Create Community Engagement

Help build a vibrant community of GSB alumni engaged in Project Redwood’s mission. In this role, you’ll welcome prospective volunteers, meet with them to learn about their interests, and guide them toward meaningful ways to contribute. Committee members also support regional events, grantee panels, and broader engagement efforts, while serving as ambassadors to the greater GSB community.

Commitment: A few meetings per year, along with additional time for activities and collaborating with other committees.

Advance Our Mission Through Fundraising

Support Project Redwood’s mission by helping secure the resources that power our grantees’ work. Whether through outreach, donor engagement, storytelling, or strategic thinking, you’ll play a key role in ensuring we can continue to invest in high-impact projects. It’s rewarding, relationship-driven work, and a great way to make a direct and lasting difference.

Commitment: Opportunities to contribute throughout the year and about six meetings annually.

Sponsor a Project

Have a connection to an organization doing powerful work to alleviate poverty? You can sponsor a project and help bring it into the Project Redwood portfolio. As a sponsor, you’ll guide applicants through the process, serve as their link to the Grant Review team, and stay involved through the life of the grant, helping them access resources, navigate challenges, and report on progress. It’s a hands-on way to champion a project you believe in and amplify its impact.

Commitment: Seasonal and project-based, with engagement typically highest from January through May.

Lead with Financial Insight

Help Project Redwood’s operations run smoothly by overseeing budgeting, reporting, and financial planning. You’ll support responsible stewardship of donor resources and ensure Project Redwood operates with transparency and efficiency. It’s a great opportunity for volunteers who enjoy financial strategy and want to help drive smart decision making.

Commitment: Monthly meetings plus additional time based on areas of interest.

Shape the Future of United States Poverty Work

Help Project Redwood identify promising United States based nonprofits working to break the cycle of poverty. In this role, you’ll research mission-driven organizations, assess their impact and financial health, and compare potential grantees that align with our goals. You’ll also stay current on poverty-related trends and best practices, bringing insights that strengthen our work in the United States and guide high-impact relationships.

Commitment: Regular meetings, typically monthly with additional time for research, evaluation, outreach, and collaboration.

Grow Our People Power

Help keep our volunteer experience strong, ensure roles are well supported, and strengthen the structure that helps Project Redwood thrive. You’ll maintain awareness of leadership needs and of candidates with leadership potential, and help develop annual recommendations of officers, Board members, and committee chairs. It’s a thoughtful and collaborative role for anyone interested in shaping Project Redwood’s long-term volunteer culture.

Commitment: Periodic meetings plus additional time based on areas of interest.

Testimonials from Fellow GSB Volunteers

“It’s been a privilege to volunteer with Project Redwood and engage with a global community of changemakers. Reviewing grantee reports and tracking project accomplishments has given me a clear view of the meaningful, lasting impact our grantees are making in the world. I’ve been inspired by the dedication and creativity they bring to solving complex challenges. I’m also grateful for the opportunity to connect with fellow GSB alumni who share a passion for empowering people and improving lives.”

Co-Chair of the Evaluation and Impact Committee

Leanne Scott

MA '20

“Volunteering with Project Redwood right after GSB—while building my social impact startup—was the most meaningful give-and-take. I learned deeply from operations and from the grantees I sponsored, lessons that shaped my work in Latin America. Over four years, I’ve proudly sponsored two nonprofits multiple times, helping connect grassroots changemakers with the GSB community. And when one of them shared her story at Project Redwood’s annual event, I saw GSB’s mission come to life.”

Grantee Sponsor

Vijay Raghunathan

MSM ‘20

“Serving on the Community of Grantees and Sponsors has been a meaningful way to support grantees by helping them connect, share ideas, and learn from one another. Facilitating these conversations has shown me how much stronger organizations become when they can exchange experiences openly. I have also loved connecting with GSB alumni across generations. It is a reminder that although we come from different backgrounds, we share the same commitment to creating opportunity and dignity for others.”

Co-Chair of the Community of Grantees and Sponsors

Dan Judd

MBA ‘19