Apparo, in partnership with Regions Bank, has completed a 10-week Technology Foundations Cohort that equipped nine nonprofits serving small businesses with the tools, knowledge, and strategic guidance needed to strengthen their technology practices and better support their communities. The program is an example of the "skilled volunteering" model, in which corporate employees donate professional expertise—in this case senior IT leadership—rather than dollars, an approach increasingly used by banks and other firms to build nonprofit capacity.

"Strong communities depend on strong nonprofit organizations," said Gina Sian, Head of the Making Life Better Institute at Regions Bank. "Through this partnership with Apparo, our associates were able to share their expertise in ways that help nonprofits plan for the future and operate more effectively. We are proud to support organizations that are creating opportunities for small businesses and helping their communities thrive."

The cohort, which ran from May through July 2026, paired participating nonprofits with Regions Bank senior technology leaders who provided mentorship, technology assessments, and strategic planning support. Participants also attended workshops covering cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, user experience, and data management, helping them build a stronger foundation for long-term growth and operational effectiveness. These focus areas align with the most common technology pressure points for small nonprofits: ransomware and phishing threats that target resource-constrained organizations, the spread of generative AI tools raising governance questions, and aging equipment and software that small staffs struggle to maintain.

Participating Organizations

The nine participating organizations were:

• Community Enterprise Investments, Inc. (CEII)
• Conexion Americas
• Entrepreneurship Center for Growth and Excellence
• Main Street Alabama
• MMBC Continuum
• Pinellas County Urban League
• Project Prosper, Inc.
• Project Restart Atlanta, Inc.
• The Allapattah Collaborative CDC

The group spans community development corporations, urban league affiliates, and entrepreneurship-focused organizations operating across the Southeast and beyond. Throughout the program, the nonprofits developed technology roadmaps and identified opportunities to improve operations, cybersecurity, digital tools, and future planning.

Outcomes from Participants

"Before this program, we had never had a technology plan and didn't know where to start," said Faye Steinhauser of Project Prosper, Inc. "Now, we have tangible goals, including creating an AI policy and planning ahead for equipment needs. With a four-person staff, even one computer going down can have a big impact, so this helped us think proactively. We're grateful to Apparo, Regions Bank, and our mentor KaSandra Smith for giving us a clear starting point."

The program also helped newer organizations validate and strengthen their technology strategies. "As a new organization, the assessment reassured us that we're on the right track and helped me feel more confident in my role as the IT liaison," said Danielle Tipton of the Entrepreneurship Center for Growth and Excellence. "Apparo's resources, especially the policy templates and focus on AI and cybersecurity, have been incredibly helpful. I'm grateful to Apparo, Regions Bank, and our mentor Tom Butler for the guidance and support."

Mentors' Perspectives

For Regions Bank volunteers, the experience created opportunities to apply their professional expertise in service of community impact.

"It was so fulfilling to support Project Restart, a nonprofit that focuses on helping people with criminal records transition back into society," said Keith Cain, a Regions Bank technology mentor. "The work they're doing is amazing, selfless, and humbling. Using my technology skills from Regions to address an immediate need was incredibly rewarding. I appreciated seeing how much Tiffany Kirk has to juggle and what a great job she is doing. I appreciate Apparo for the opportunity to be part of this experience as a mentor."

Working alongside Community Enterprise Investments, Inc., Shannon Powers helped address several key technology priorities. "It was meaningful to work with CEII and support an organization focused on affordable housing," said Powers, also a Regions Bank technology mentor. "Together, we tackled significant technology goals, including creating a plan to move from Windows 10 to Windows 11, improving payment processes for tenants, and strengthening document retention and cybersecurity policies. It was great to help them build a clearer path forward."

The Windows 10 to Windows 11 migration cited by Powers reflects a widely shared challenge: Microsoft ended mainstream support for Windows 10 in October 2025, prompting organizations across sectors to plan hardware and operating system upgrades.

Closing Remarks

"Technology should never be a barrier to nonprofit impact," said Kristen Reed, VP of Advancement at Apparo. "Through our partnership with Regions Bank, these organizations gained practical tools, strategic guidance, and trusted relationships that will help them make more informed technology decisions in the years ahead. We are grateful for the expertise and commitment Regions volunteers brought to this cohort and proud of the progress each participating nonprofit achieved."

The Technology Foundations Cohort reflects Apparo and Regions Bank's shared commitment to strengthening nonprofit capacity through technology expertise, skilled volunteering, and strategic support. By helping nonprofits build stronger technology foundations, the program ultimately expands their ability to serve entrepreneurs, small businesses, and communities throughout and beyond the Southeast.

Source: GlobalFinTechSeries