Participation in nonprofit cohort program and additional technology guidance have helped Our Daily Bread Foundation do more to improve the life of at risk teen boys.
The mission of Our Daily Bread Foundation is to transform one life at a time, taking us from exclusiveness to inclusiveness and from welfare to well-fare. They serve at-risk boys ages 13-15 with the mission of giving them a sense of belonging and wellness, develop social skills, and foster entrepreneurship – all to help address and overcome trauma in their lives, in hopes of bring them to a place of self-discover and self-love.
In 2022, Our Daily Bread Foundation joined United Way’s Unite Charlotte cohort. Their founder and Executive Director, Kim Alexander, shares her thoughts on participation in Apparo’s Technology Foundations cohort through the Unite Charlotte program and other work with Apparo, including through our Tech Therapy program, and her current participation in our Technology Foundations cohort through the Knight Foundation and Apparo’s Mission Possible program.
Kim shares:
“I love Apparo because the Apparo training that was attached to the Unite Charlotte grant was phenomenal. It helped me understand what we were lacking and what we needed in terms of technology. It was not one size fits all, like some training can be. Apparo took the time to learn about our organization, our goals and our individual needs. We have a true one-on-one relationship.
“I started last year in the Unite Charlotte 1 cohort and now I’m back with the Knight Foundation and Mission Possible. I hope Apparo doesn’t get tired of me because I really love Apparo and everything they offer nonprofits. I appreciate working with your volunteers and the hands-on approach they use knowing one size does not fit all. Apparo has a clear understanding of grassroot nonprofits and our financial and other limitations. As you address our needs you find solutions that will grow with us while giving us innovative ideas/solutions we may not have thought of.
“No matter what my challenge is, I can call Apparo and you graciously lead me to someone who can help me. For example, I was trying to decide between Microsoft and Google platforms. I didn’t know what software I needed or how to select the best platform to meet the demands of myself as an Executive Director and the best way to communicate with our stakeholders. Apparo helped judge my skill set and our organization’s needs for managing our day-to-day work. This was very important to me. They helped me choose Google Workspace and connected me to training I needed. Now, I turn on my computer and I know what I need to do to get my work done.
“With Mission Possible, we are working on our fundraising. I know that data is critical in capturing our effectiveness and building capacity. We realize the importance of having the right systems and processes in place to analyze trends and develop best practices for successful fundraising campaigns. As an example, in the communities that we serve, these teenage boys do not even read at the 4th grade reading level. 90% of them will not achieve a GED. We have to be effective at measuring our success through the right technology. Then we can tell our donors how they are changing the world.
“Because Apparo specifically works with nonprofits, you are a one-stop shop for guiding us through this whole world of technology. We appreciate the invaluable support we have with our many partners, just to name a few Arts and Science Council, United Way of Greater Charlotte, Knight Foundation, City of Charlotte and Apparo.”
To learn more about how your nonprofit can work with Apparo, visit apparo.org/nonprofits.
