Volunteer with SCORE

SUPPORT LOCAL SMALL BUSINESSES Volunteer with SCORE

As a SCORE Volunteer:

Support local entrepreneurs
Network and build new relationships
Help grow your local small business community
Expand your skillset and professional reputation
And more!

Give Back in Many Ways

SCORE is looking for people with diverse backgrounds and experiences to serve in a variety of roles — from knowledgeable business mentors to local community advocates. Review the descriptions of the volunteer roles at SCORE, find the best one for you, then apply. Your local chapter will contact you to learn more about you and to share information about onboarding and training, SCORE’s code of ethics, and other pertinent details for the role.

Business Mentor

What you’ll do:

Advise small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs
Guide clients in developing business plans and business growth
Share business knowledge, experience, and practical “know how”
Inspire business owners to achieve their ownership dreams

Qualifications:

Broad and deep experience as a business owner or as an upper-level business manager
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

Time Commitment: 15-20 hours/month

Subject Matter Expert

What you’ll do:

Support mentors and business owners in answering questions related to your area of expertise
Share deep knowledge in a targeted functional area
Offer practical “know how” and specialized knowledge

Qualifications (any):

Proven mastery of a specialized business topic such as ecommerce, accounting, human resources, technology, and others
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

Time Commitment: 2-10 hours/month (as needed)

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I volunteer at SCORE?

We offer multiple volunteer roles to fit many levels of experience, skills, and time commitments — from experienced business mentor to local chapter support. Review the roles listed above to find a great match for you. Your local chapter will contact you for an interview to understand your volunteer goals and interests. Then apply!

What are the qualifications to be a SCORE volunteer?

SCORE volunteer roles are varied and the qualifications for each are different. Check out the roles and apply to volunteer. Your local chapter can help you find the best role fit for you.

What should I expect as a SCORE volunteer?

As a SCORE Volunteer, you will be part of a large, highly-respected, national non-profit organization dedicated to the growth of small businesses across the U.S. You will work with many great people, all with a common vision to support small business owners. You will have the support and infrastructure of a local chapter and national headquarters to give you the tools and opportunities to excel as a volunteer.

Why should I volunteer with SCORE?

The reasons to volunteer range from professional development to personal gratification. At SCORE, you get it all. You will grow and expand as a business professional working with small businesses. You can also directly help individual entrepreneurs achieve success. Ultimately, you will know that you have made a positive impact on business owners in your community.

What kinds of training and onboarding should I expect?

The training and onboarding at SCORE varies based on the volunteer role you take. Some roles require more training and onboarding, while other roles require less. For example, a business mentor requires a 90-day provisional training period, with a certification that is awarded after successful completion. Alternatively, a chapter support volunteer typically requires less training to understand chapter processes and policies to support chapter outreach and program implementation.

How do I apply to become a SCORE volunteer?

To become a SCORE volunteer, you will need to complete a volunteer application. Your application will be sent to the SCORE chapter near you for review. SCORE will contact you for an appointment to interview you to understand your experience, background and interest.

Why Volunteer with SCORE?

BUILDING A FUTURE

Quite simply, if you want to make a lasting impact in your small business community, SCORE is the place to do that. Since 1964, SCORE has educated and mentored more than 11 million small business owners and entrepreneurs.

Small Business Mentoring Leader

Over 10000 volunteers serving clients in over 1500 communities

SCORE’s 10,000 volunteers provide business mentoring and education in more than 250 chapters across 1,500 communities nationwide.

Support for Everyone

Of SCORE's 2020 Client Base 60% are women, 46% are minorities, and 9% are veterans.

SCORE helps all owners and entrepreneurs nationwide. We offer business mentoring services and many resources and tools for all small businesses, including programs created for underserved audiences.

Big Impact to Small Businesses

In 2020, SCORE mentors helped start 45,027 businesses, create 74,535 non-owner new jobs and 119,562 total new jobs.

LEAVING A LASTING IMPACT

As a SCORE volunteer, you will leave a lasting impact in your local business community. You will have the chance to work alongside other community-minded, business volunteers to build your local small business community.

Among the many reasons why SCORE volunteers love their roles:

Give back to your business community
Expand your business reputation locally
Network with local and national business experts
Develop new skills and SCORE training
Build deeper connections to your local community
Receive local and national recognition for your efforts
Invest your time and efforts positively help others

SCORE Volunteers Making a Difference

SCORE was recommended to me by my supervisor at my on-campus job at Case Western Reserve University. At first, I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to volunteer and pursue my studies. That wasn’t the case!

Working as a Subject Matter Expert has allowed me to pop in and help other mentors’ clients as need based on the client’s need. That gives me flexibility and an opportunity to be a part of the client’s success.

It’s been wonderful to use my professional experience and learn from other professionals while finishing my graduate degree.

I discovered SCORE while volunteering at SCORE’s E3 Women’s Conference with a different organization. However, seeing all that SCORE does drew me in. Now I’m a mentor and a regional ambassador working to recruit diverse professionals to join us!

One of my favorite things about SCORE is the camaraderie. Everyone in your chapter wants you and your clients to succeed. If I’m working with a client, there is a team of colleagues working me to ensure the best fit and outcome for the client.

I chose SCORE because of its mission and because of the people who volunteer with SCORE. They all are passionate about helping entrepreneurs and business owners to achieve their goals. It always amazes me that all of the resources and national workshops that SCORE provides are free to anyone.

I work with SCORE Chicago doing administrative work and serving as a go-between for those who come to SCORE looking for help and our small business mentors. I also help to onboard other volunteers and assist with mentor training!

My hard work is worth it when I read the emails saying how grateful people are for SCORE’s help.

I’ve been volunteering with SCORE since 1997! I’ve held many roles in that time, but I’ve come to enjoy speaking to and sharing my expertise with other women entrepreneurs and business owners as a Local Workshop Presenter the most.

Before the pandemic, my chapter partnered with SBDC, WBC, and the SBA to create a Women’s Initiative. This monthly networking event was incredibly successful! It was so rewarding to educate these women and watch them network. Since Covid-19 hit, we’ve done virtual events which are equally successful!