Divergent IT leader shares his technology skills with local nonprofits.
Matthew Galimi, Founder and CEO of Divergent IT, came to Apparo with significant experience as a skilled volunteer and nonprofit Board member. He shares, “I’m so impressed with what nonprofits can accomplish with their limited resources. I believe in giving back and I like being able to use my technical knowledge to contribute. It’s so rewarding and fulfilling. My favorite part is getting someone to that aha moment, when they understand and accept that this technology change is going to improve the way they work.”
Security is especially a point of passion for Matthew. “If nonprofits don’t have security set up correctly, they could lose access to all of their data. It’s so important, but a lot of nonprofits think they can’t afford the technology that they need. The reality is that they absolutely can when they have the right partner to go the extra mile for them.” (continued below Snapshot)
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Serving nonprofits through Apparo, he appreciates the background work and project scoping we conduct before he is brought on. “I can review information about the nonprofit, their problems and needs to decide if this is a project I want to take on,” he explains, “Then, when I work with Apparo, I’m able to ramp up so much quicker than if I was volunteering myself, without a project manager. Rather than weeks of conversations to do due diligence, we can get working at the first meeting. I feel like I’m able to make a really big impact.
“With some other volunteer experiences, I’ve been told to stay in my lane, get the work finished and move on. But I don’t want to just check boxes, I want to build relationships with nonprofits. Apparo encourages me to build strong relationships with nonprofits so that I can help them in a broader way.”
Those relationships are deeply appreciated. As Ron Baldwin, CFO of JazzArts Charlotte shares, “Matthew’s expertise in internet security has pointed out some significant deficiencies in JazzArts’ technology security. He also went over and above his volunteer work, including providing SharePoint training to the JazzArts staff. We are extremely grateful for his support.”
Apparo’s Sarah Gregory, Volunteer Manager, also shares her appreciation, “Matthew Galimi hit the ground running when he joined Apparo’s volunteer community this year and hasn’t stopped! Since June 2021, he has helped with two SharePoint Migration Community Impact Projects for JazzArts Charlotte and Youth Development Initiatives, which include team trainings, and team training on Microsoft 365 for Assistance League Charlotte. As the volunteer manager, Matthew is someone I know I can turn to when we need exceptional professional skills to support a nonprofit, as well as a helping hand at Apparo’s ConnectivIT Bash! I reached out to Matthew a few days before the Bash this year, we needed some extra hands to run the Plinko table, and without hesitation, he said yes! He ended up being the star of the show – all you could hear from that part of the room was laughter and Matthew encouraging everyone to play a round. He is an absolute rockstar of a volunteer and joy to be around. We are so grateful that he made his way to Apparo, and I know that the nonprofit community is benefitting from his dedication.”
