Over the last year, Jonathan Waites has volunteered with Apparo and the Tech Therapy team by donating his time to help nine nonprofits with their needs and through the Expert Link program.
Jonathan first heard of Apparo through Andrew Holbrook of Mission Charlotte. He was quickly connected to Jennifer Ray, Apparo’s Director of Technology Engagements. Over the past year, he has participated in many Tech Therapy engagements including:
- Crossroads Corporation – guidance on Salesforce – December 2023
- Breathe Strong – Determine if Salesforce works for them – March 2024
- The Choral Arts Collective – Advice on Salesforce configuration and migration – April 2024
- FeedNC – Strategy Advice – April 2024
- Care Ring – Hardware/Software Research – July 2024
- Pebble Tossers – Salesforce Needs – October 2024
- Dress for Success Charlotte –– Salesforce guidance – post CIP – December 2024
- Dress for Success – CIP Salesforce NPSP Standup – Kickoff – January 2025 – in progress
- GenOne Charlotte – Airtable – March 2025
- Various vendor referrals to help nonprofits through the Expert Link program
Our passion is for nonprofits
“We know how to help nonprofits, and we know what is important to them. We have been doing this for over 10 years now, and we do it because it’s fun for us to help them. We are so excited to see what Apparo does and how they help the community. We love seeing how Mission Possible has grown and expanded into the Raleigh and Triangle-Area and helping even more nonprofits with economic mobility. What Apparo does is unique, and it has been amazing to see it grow over the years I’ve been involved.”
Jonathan is the CEO for JiLaSoan, an MSP (Managed Service Provider) who helps other companies with their outsourced IT needs. JiLaSoan has become part of Apparo’s Expert Link program too, a network of trusted partners who help nonprofit organizations who need desktop support, cloud-based services, security awareness, etc. JiLaSoan has an IT services component and a CRM component, making it an ideal partner for the nonprofits Apparo serves.
“I love taking care of an organization with a heart that also understand you must really have a process-oriented approach to be good stewards of what you’re doing. That’s where we fit in.”
In March of 2024, Jonathan volunteered to determine if Salesforce would work for BreatheStrong. BreatheStrong is an organization formed from two organizations whose missions revolve around Cystic Fibrosis research and financial assistance. The nonprofit had a need to streamline tools to become more efficient after the merger. It has been exciting for Jonathan to see how the nonprofit has been able to combine two sets of staff and technology sets together in an efficient manner.
“Working with BreatheStrong showed me how many nonprofits have technology sprawl. We started with Tech Therapy to determine if Salesforce would work with them. Working with nonprofits takes a lot of guidance. Many of them have a lot of applications, and they need to focus on one technology and really learn how to understand it well. We help them with that so they can understand the business requirements.”
When I see the impact I’m making at a nonprofit I love it!
“I love making people more efficient. One of the key things we try to do is teach the current employees at nonprofits, so they don’t have to spend more money to hire additional admin staff. We want to set them up to grow, help them organize themselves, focus on their existing technology, and get more of their people out in the field serving those in need…doing their mission work. And that’s so exciting for me to see!”
“Let’s be honest, technology is just technology. It’s a valuable tool to have in your toolbox. If you can use it well, then you can serve more people. One of the key tenants we believe in is to make sure people are doing more of what they love.”
“We like to remove burdens from people with our technology work. When we first meet with someone, it often seems like they have a sack of potatoes on their back. They are carrying a large load every day that gets heavier and heavier. We like to come in and help lighten their load a little bit at a time with our technology assistance and guidance. Once the load has been lifted, they can find joy in what they are doing again, and they fulfill their greater purpose: the mission of their organization.”
Jonathan emphasized how most people go through life feeling blessed and healthy and never needing a service like BreatheStrong or CrossRoads Corporation. He said working as a volunteer for these nonprofits over the last year with Apparo has really opened his eyes to how much of a need and a benefit these organizations are to our communities.
“I know a lot of times nonprofits cannot afford the technology services that companies like JiLaSoan offers. I think it’s important for us to give back our time. I’m always willing to help people, and there’s a joy in doing so, and a great benefit to the nonprofit. I love pouring into people and seeing people excel at what they do.”
“We are working with Thompson’s this week. They are so passionate about what they do. When you have a nonprofit and they are serving people and loving people, it just energizes you and the work you’re doing in a different way.”
“One of the other things I love about volunteering with Apparo is how it is set up. Apparo schedules all of the meetings. They act as a “middle-man.” Once the engagement is over, you can choose to stay in touch if you want to, but you are under no obligation to stay in touch. This helps me to be able to move on to other volunteer engagements and help more nonprofits in need.”
“Plus, it’s really fun to volunteer! I have not had a bad experience at all. I love what Apparo does. Your staff is amazing, and I am so excited you are getting more involved in Raleigh!”
Apparo’s Jennifer Ray shared, “I am so grateful to have Jonathan as a member of Apparo’s volunteer family. With his deep understanding of the nonprofit community and his servant’s heart, he is an absolute gem to work with.”
Interested in becoming involved as a volunteer at Apparo? Find out more here.
