Zoom calls. Digital documents. Email check-ins.
Technology has never been more important than it is now, in our socially-distanced world. And for nonprofit organizations working on dated technology, the disadvantages can stack up fast.
“A lot of nonprofits are working on archaic machines. The computers are slow and end up slowing down services to those in need,” said Lavonne McLean, director of programs and pro-bono partnerships for Apparo. “A simple example of dated technology straining efficiencies is a nonprofit employee recently in a meeting with us. The fan on his computer was so loud, we all felt like we had to yell over the computer.”
Apparo is a Charlotte, North Carolina nonprofit that focuses on improving the efficiencies of other nonprofits, by helping them get the technology and resources they need to make the greatest impact.
Nearly two years ago, Apparo approached Lowe’s with an idea to work together and serve others through a community collaboration. They called it their G.A.I.N. program, which stands for Growth, Agility and Innovation for Nonprofits. Through G.A.I.N., Apparo would support 10 other small nonprofits with financial support, technology and education in order to improve their efficiency and effectiveness at serving those in need
“When a nonprofit has the right tools, it helps them deliver their mission more effectively and ultimately serve and help more people in our community,” McLean said. “[Lowe’s] jumped on the opportunity to come alongside Apparo with this two-year program.”
“Obviously, the world as we know it today is different in terms of the pandemic. Helping these non-profit organizations be able to pivot to a digital world is really, really important.”
Through Lowe’s financial support of the G.A.I.N. program, Apparo was able to purchase 64 new laptops to distribute amongst the 10 organizations. But first, the new machines needed to be set up. And what better time to involve another one of Lowe’s longtime tech partners, E2D.
“And because those laptops have specific needs in terms of hardware, software configuration, we just thought it was a really nice place to engage E2D and have that team play a role with Apparo in terms of going through the typical checklist,” added Alexander. “It’s just really nice to pull these two non-profits, Apparo and E2D, together for this effort.”
E2D or “Eliminate the Digital Divide” works to provide equal access to technology to all students and provide tech skills and education to those working in their computer labs as student computer technicians. Pat Millen, founder and president of E2D says preparing these donated laptops was the perfect project for his students to get involved in.
“We didn’t charge anything for it,” Millen said. “It gave our kids something meaningful to work on. Nothing particularly complicated but it’s nice for E2D to have this small role in these computers. And as we do with all computers we work on, they’re getting a six-month warranty against technical failure.”
Apparo estimates each of the ten nonprofits that are a part of the GAIN cohort will receive around $200,000 worth of value from the program, both through hardware and other resources. Something Apparo says would not have been possible without the collective effort to serve those who are serving others.
“The most exciting thing is to see several different organizations come together for a common purpose,” said Apparo’s program manager Jennifer Ray. “And what that does is act like a pebble in a pond. It creates ripples that go beyond what is apparent to us right now.
“Our impact is magnified by partnerships with other organizations so that collectively we can do far more than any of us could do individually.”
