CHARLOTTE, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nearly 580 guests, including 37 CIOs from Charlotte’s corporate IT community, raised a record-setting $940,000 to empower local nonprofits through business and technology solutions at Apparo’s 9th annual ConnectivIT Ball, sponsored by Microsoft. The event took place Saturday, April 16 at the Charlotte Convention Center and featured a Parisian theme.
"The ConnectivIT Ball demonstrates the impact we can have as a collective community when we come together in the name of technology and philanthropy. Working together with Apparo we can use technology to help fight issues like hunger, homelessness and hopelessness,” said James Mitchell, Accenture Charlotte Office Managing Director and Chairman of Apparo’s Board of Directors. “Together we are working to bridge the technology skills gap and provide resources to empower nonprofits to put their missions in motion.”
Apparo is the only organization that uses Community Impact Projects to connect corporate volunteers with nonprofits who have specific business or technology needs. These important community projects continue to make Charlotte a great place to live, work and play.
“This year’s ConnectivIT Ball was special because it highlighted Apparo’s impact through our technology projects. Connecting corporate volunteers with nonprofits in need allows Apparo to empower these organizations to do their important work, ” says Kim Lanphear, Executive Director of Apparo. “Charlotte has so many nonprofits that are passionate about their missions and the business community is ready and willing to step up to the challenge and ensure their impact is felt across this region.”
The Lupus Foundation of America, North Carolina Chapter won the Technology Innovation Award sponsored by Accenture. The organization will receive a $10,000 grant, as well as equally valued pro-bono consulting time from Accenture. Accenture has teamed with Apparo and has been a proud sponsor for this award for the last eight years.
“Accenture is passionate about technology innovation in our work with clients and nonprofits in our community,” said John Pesavento, Accenture’s Managing Director - North America Banking. “We’re in a unique position to use our talents to help those around us maximize their performance and achieve their vision. We are excited to help bring the Lupus Foundation’s innovative idea to life through the Technology Innovation Award.”
