MetLife Partnership – Technology Foundations for Nonprofits Cohort Launch

Written By: Alyssa Maynard, PR & Marketing Coordinator

Apparo’s 10-week Tech Foundations Program with MetLife Foundation provides knowledge and skills for more informed digital strategies and technology tools to support nonprofit missions

Apparo partnered with MetLife to offer a 10-week Technology Foundations program to 10 nonprofits to help them leverage technology to enhance operational excellence. This program included:

4 Foundational workshops on key technology topics, including Technology Essentials, Cybersecurity, Digital Marketing, and Generative AI
4 individualized mentor meetings
Technology Maturity Model Meetings
Access to technology resources, templates, services, and more

Through this program, MetLife aided nonprofits in prioritizing technology throughout their missions and objectives.

MetLife and Google volunteers provided support and confidence needed to make technology improvements that increase positive impact and tackle their most pressing tech challenges. Through volunteer guidance and recommendations, nonprofits gained awareness of resources available to support their work. Following cohort completion, 100% of participating nonprofit survey respondents reported being satisfied with the outcome of their participation, would recommend Apparo programs to other nonprofits, and found the program educational, valuable, and rewarding.

Upon wrapping up the 10-week program, nonprofit participants reflected on the program and the anticipated impacts nonprofits look forward to:

“It was eye-opening. I realized that we will be left behind if we continue to be resistant to change. We were floundering. We had put the cart before the horse: Our mission before establishing our infrastructure. I knew we had problems, but didn’t know what they were. The program and assessment gave me language and understanding around what is wrong and what we need to improve.”
“Our mentor was extremely helpful and hands-on. He gave us very good direction regarding security improvements which we will implement. He provided a hands-on demonstration with AI that has already helped me and a coworker. The learning sessions were also on-point, offering solid, specific information.”
“This program ignited what I need to know about technology and increased my awareness of what we need to adopt as an organization.”
“The Technology Maturity Model Assessment was a very helpful visual roadmap to guide our priorities, short and long-term.”
“I would recommend this program to anyone in my nonprofit network.”

Other participants described the program as “a springboard to future efficiency” and “a game-changer for how I view our approach to technology upgrades“, while many shared appreciation for various elements of the work:

“I appreciate being able to attend the workshops, which I found very informative.”
“I have so much appreciation for the tangible takeaways from this program. I’m leaving with concrete suggestions and resources that I’m excited to explore further to enhance our work.”
“I greatly appreciate the dedicated time to stop and think about important topics that I would not normally take the time to do.”
“I have a deep appreciation for being part of this group. I was so grateful knowing that each Tuesday I would be gathering with a group of people doing so much good.”
“I really appreciated my mentor, his listening, and patience. Apparo’s Technology Maturity Model Assessment was an incredibly useful, structured activity. It gave us a shared vocabulary and made our time useful together.”

Participating Nonprofits: Art-Reach, Cambodian Association of Greater Philadelphia (CAGP), Dress for Success Tampa Bay, Eno River Association, First Jamaica Community and Urban Development Corporation, Ruth’s Refuge, The Carying Place, Inc., The Community Empowerment Fund, University Neighborhood Housing Program (UNHP), Van Cortlandt Park Alliance

MetLife Volunteer Tech Mentors: Daniel Salazar, Stuart Rosner, Tim Edwards, Gregory Scott, Subramanian Mahadevan, Jatin Chauhan, Derek M Jennings, Mike Wesson, Harshal Kulkarni

Google Volunteer Tech Mentors: Kamal Bhargava

Engaging with Apparo is a mutually beneficial opportunity. Nonprofit participants gain transformative improvements in how they work, ultimately strengthening our communities. At the same time, corporate skilled volunteers walk away with meaningful experiences that enhance both their personal and professional growth, improving their feelings about their company and community impact. Volunteer survey results indicate that 100% of respondents found that volunteering with Apparo:

Increased their job satisfaction and made them more committed to MetLife
Was a good match for them and convenient for their schedule with clear expectations
Is something they would want to do again and recommend to others
Allowed them to make a positive impact
Increased their problem solving, communication, and creative thinking skills

Nonprofits in this program received over 191 hours of pro bono support, creating a value of $203,250 delivered toward bettering our communities. In their own words, MetLife volunteers share their experience using their skills for good:

“I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was a huge learning and gratifying experience for me.”
“This was an excellent experience. Apparo was very well prepared, professional and helpful.”
“The program was well-structured, coordinated, and run by Apparo. We had fun working together. I look forward to doing more of this volunteering in the future.”
“It was enlightening and inspiring. I was also extremely impressed with Apparo’s concept, execution, and tool kit.
“The Technology Maturity Model Assessment is a thoughtful, comprehensive, and well-suited approach for this program.”
“Sometimes work can feel like a silo where you can’t see outside. Through this program, I got to see all of the incredible things nonprofits are doing. I learned a lot from them and felt encouraged to do more volunteering like this.”
“It was enlightening. I will cherish this experience. Thank you, MetLife and Apparo for arranging this great volunteer opportunity.”

Inspired to create social good? Learn more about partnering with Apparo.

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