The Ada Jenkins Center received Apparo’s 2019 Mission Possible: The Economic Opportunity Award, sponsored by Accenture, on May 11 at the 13th Annual ConnectivIT® Ball. Apparo’s ConnectivIT® Series culminated at the Ball, where the organization reached a series fundraising total of more than $1 million.
The Mission Possible Economic Opportunity Award is presented to a Charlotte nonprofit with the strongest proposal for using technology to improve economic mobility and is made possible through Apparo’s leadership and a US$10,000 cash and $50,000 pro bono contribution from Accenture, a leading global professional services company.
This year’s winner, Ada Jenkins Center, is a community center that exists to help people create lasting solutions to health, education and economic stability. The organization currently offers free medical and dental clinics for uninsured patients, youth and adult education, a Loaves and Fishes pantry, case management services, and workforce development, as well as an affordable housing program. Ada Jenkins Center will use the Mission Possible award and pro bono consulting to improve its technology in order to most effectively serve client-partners on their path to economic stability.
“The Ada Jenkins Center is on the front lines, working to improve economic opportunities for those who need them most,” Kim Lanphear, CEO of Apparo, said. “At Apparo we believe technology can change the world, increasing the effect of good that is already being done in the community. We are grateful to be able to support The Ada Jenkins Center in their goals to better serve their client-partners.”
Apparo and Accenture have collaborated on the Mission Possible Award (formerly the Technology Innovation Award) for 12 years.
“Accenture focuses on delivering solutions that improve the way people live and work,” said Stephanie Sadowski, Accenture’s Charlotte office managing director. “Technology can help increase economic opportunity for those in Charlotte who need it most, which strengthens our community overall. We’re proud of our longstanding collaboration with Apparo and are delighted to support the award again this year.”
Apparo and Accenture’s partnership is an example of the critical role collaboration across the for-profit and nonprofit sectors plays in Apparo’s model for serving the community.
“After leading Apparo’s Mission Possible partnership for more than 10 years, I know without a doubt that we could not do this important work without our corporate partners who continue to support our mission through the ConnectivIT® Ball and other financial and volunteer channels,”said Kim Lanphear.
More than 500 attendees, including CIOs from Charlotte’s corporate IT community, attended the celebration, presented by Bank of America.
Next year’s Mission Possible Award program will kick off with an informational event on September 20, 2019. To learn more, please visit apparo.org/nonprofit-services/mission-possible.
About Apparo:
Apparo, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, connects nonprofits and corporations in the greater Charlotte, N.C., area, delivering business process and technology solutions that multiply nonprofit effectiveness. Considered the go-to provider of technology strategy, implementation, consulting and support services for nonprofits, to date Apparo has served more than 425 local nonprofits, providing them with more than $13.5 million worth of technology solutions. To learn more, visit apparo.org.