Bridging the tech gender gap: from spreadsheets to success with an Apparo skilled volunteer
With the help of a dedicated volunteer, as part of the Tech Therapy provided to nonprofits in the LendingTree Foundation LendaHand Alliance Cohort, Dottie Rose Foundation has recently received technology support that has equipped them with deeper insights into their data and has increased organizational efficiencies in valuable ways.
Dottie Rose Foundation (DRF) focuses on closing the gender gap for females in technology and computer sciences, connecting the dots within the technology and computer science sphere to educate, support, and inspire the next generation. Their camps offer hands-on experiential learning, so kids can develop the skill set they need and explore the areas of technology that excite them the most.
DRF Executive Director, Jillian Klingberg, and Director of Education for Foundation, Holly Harris worked with Apparo’s Jennifer Ray to address their needs around streamlining reporting and other manual and time-consuming processes. DRF leaders were using spreadsheets to pull data manually but knew that to grow sustainably, they needed secure, measurable, and reliable data.
Apparo paired the organization with a volunteer from SEI, Zana Devito, who was the perfect fit for their needs. Zana worked with DRF to identify both quick wins and consider more long-term goals around data analytics and management. We recently checked in with Holly to learn about the impact of this Tech Therapy journey.
Holly highlights the positive impact this Tech Therapy engagement has created, “Apparo did an amazing job of connecting us with the right person who was aligned with our mission and vision. Zana is clearly passionate about and skilled at what she does. She continues to creatively help us clearly and affordably get all the pieces we need in place. She has been wonderful at taking something that took us three steps and simplifying it to one question that needs to be answered.”
Tech Therapy provides Dottie Rose Foundation with increased confidence about expansion and funding goals
Dottie Rose Foundation is excited about experiencing increased collaboration internally and throughout the community with a greater ability to share their mission. They anticipate a ripple effect by connecting the dots and gaining support in Charlotte and beyond. The organization is confident about their programming and is now equally confident about the integrity and accessibility of their data. Having accurate, quantitative data mitigates the risk of missing out on vital grant opportunities, and empowers DRF to seek out additional funding opportunities.
As the organization is on the verge of expanding, they want to ensure sustainable growth. Apparo and SEI skilled volunteer, Zana, worked to provide DRF with a new ability to step back and reflect on their data, allowing them to make better decisions when considering constituent needs, funding opportunities, and the potential for expansion going forward.
