Apparo and MetLife Foundation Help 13 Nonprofits Strengthen Technology, AI, and Cybersecurity

Through technology education and skilled volunteer mentorship, Apparo and MetLife Foundation help nonprofits build capacity and organizational resilience.

CHARLOTTE, NC, UNITED STATES, October 26, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Apparo, a nonprofit that empowers nonprofits through technology, and MetLife Foundation, a powerful program investing in nonprofit resilience and opportunity, have successfully completed a 10-week Technology Foundations Cohort designed to help nonprofit organizations strengthen their technology strategies, improve operational efficiency, and better leverage digital tools to advance their missions.

As nonprofits navigate increasing cybersecurity risks, rapid advances in artificial intelligence, and growing expectations for digital service delivery, many organizations lack the time, resources, or in-house expertise needed to build a strong technology foundation. Through Apparo’s Technology Foundations program, nonprofit leaders gained practical knowledge, personalized guidance, and ongoing support to make more informed technology decisions that strengthen their organizations for the future.

Each participating nonprofit was paired with a skilled Technology Mentor who worked alongside nonprofit staff throughout the cohort, providing individualized guidance while helping organizations apply new strategies to their unique operational challenges.

“Technology is no longer optional for nonprofits; it’s essential to delivering on their missions, serving communities effectively, and preparing for the future,” said Lavonne McLean, CEO of Apparo. “Through our partnership with MetLife Foundation, these organizations gained more than technical knowledge. They built practical strategies, strengthened their confidence, and developed relationships with skilled technology professionals who understand their challenges. When nonprofits are stronger, entire communities are stronger. This cohort is a powerful example of what’s possible when we invest in long-term capacity.”

Throughout the program, participating organizations explored technology planning, cloud collaboration, cybersecurity, digital marketing, artificial intelligence, and business process improvements through a four-part educational workshop series. The experience extended beyond the classroom through individualized mentoring and ongoing Tech Therapy Office Hours, helping organizations implement what they learned and continue building their technology capacity after the cohort concluded.

Corporate Partnership Creating Lasting Community Impact

The Technology Foundations Cohort demonstrates the power of skilled volunteering by combining corporate expertise with nonprofit capacity building. Technology professionals from MetLife and other organizations donated their time and knowledge, helping nonprofit leaders solve real-world technology challenges while strengthening their ability to serve their communities.

“MetLife Foundation’s investment in this cohort reflects the kind of partnership that creates lasting change,” said Kristen Reed, Vice President of Advancement at Apparo. “Their support, combined with the expertise and generosity of MetLife employee volunteers, helped nonprofit leaders build stronger technology foundations that will continue strengthening their organizations long after the cohort concluded. We are grateful for MetLife Foundation’s partnership and the shared commitment to helping nonprofits build resilience through technology.”

Nonprofits and Volunteers Experience Meaningful Results

For participating nonprofits, the personalized mentorship proved especially valuable. “The biggest gift from this program is how it helped us address the small, everyday challenges that can make our work feel cumbersome,” said Sarah Wilson of Harvest Home. “Through our weekly meetings with our mentor Payton, we were able to ask questions openly and find practical solutions that made a real difference. We’re incredibly grateful to Apparo and MetLife for their support. By easing the burden of technology, our team can stay energized and focused on what matters most: our mission.”

Participants also highlighted the value of one-on-one support. “Having our 1:1 mentor was my favorite part of the cohort,” said Hoffman Meza of All Peoples Community Center. “The overall experience was necessary and insightful, and I believe every small- to mid-size nonprofit should experience it at least once.”

The experience also created meaningful opportunities for corporate volunteers to apply their expertise beyond the workplace. “This experience has been food for the soul,” said Lauren Todd, Technology Mentor from MetLife. “I was thrilled to flex my UX skills by conducting a UX audit of the website based on the nonprofit’s goals. It was very refreshing to dip into this type of work again. I’d love to engage in more projects with Apparo like this to support nonprofits.”

Over the course of the cohort, volunteers contributed 199 hours of service, delivering $196,480 in value to participating nonprofits. The cohort served 13 nonprofit organizations representing communities across the United States, including organizations focused on education, youth development, workforce readiness, housing, food security, transportation, and community development. Technology mentors represented MetLife alongside additional volunteers from Cardinality.ai, Volvo Group, and other technology leaders who generously donated their expertise throughout the program.

About Apparo
Apparo is a Charlotte, N.C.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that connects nonprofits with technology expertise and resources to amplify their impact. Since its founding, Apparo has served nearly 1,500 nonprofits through skilled volunteer projects, education, cohort programs, and grant support, helping mission-driven organizations build the capacity, resilience, and infrastructure needed to create lasting change. Learn more and get involved at apparo.org.

Alyssa Maynard
Apparo
+1 980-392-2483
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