Apparo’s AI in Action Day brought together leading companies and nonprofits to explore how AI can advance social impact
On Tuesday, November 18th, 2025 Apparo joined forces with AvidXchange, Coca-Cola Consolidated, Foundation for the Carolinas and Honeywell to host AI in Action Day. The half-day workshop connected Charlotte’s corporate and nonprofit communities to explore how generative artificial intelligence (AI) can help local organizations stretch resources, strengthen operations and expand impact.
More than 50 technology volunteers from more than 10 leading companies joined 19 local nonprofits. Participants identified day-to-day challenges, experimented with free AI tools and documented effective prompts to create a shared library for future organizational collaboration.
“Technology can be a great equalizer, but only when nonprofits have the tools and knowledge to use it effectively,” said Apparo COO and incoming CEO, Lavonne McLean. “This event demonstrated the power of Charlotte’s citywide commitment to cross-sector collaboration. When corporations lend their time, talent and expertise, they invite innovation that strengthens communities and invite lasting change.”
For example, Heather-Camille Hewett of nonprofit Social Venture Partners Charlotte shared that thanks to the AI prompting work they did with their volunteers today, they will be able to replace a cumbersome volunteer coordination process with a well streamlined one. They will go from taking a full week of work time down to one hour of work.
Nonprofits participated in discussions with technology experts to discuss how Generative AI can be leveraged to help with fundraising and content creation.
It can be challenging for nonprofits to identify the right ways to use AI to help meet nonprofit goals. This workshop provided nonprofits with an opportunity to work alongside corporate and community volunteers at no cost to enhance their impact and efficiencies. Nonprofit participants experienced:
- Collaborative Learning: Discussions with technology experts sharing current challenges in specific areas such as fundraising and content creation, and how GenAI can be leveraged to address these areas.
- Visioning and Strategy: Guided sessions to help envision how GenAI could address specific nonprofit needs.
- Practical Applications: Throughout the workshop, volunteers assisted with crafting specific GenAI prompts to elicit effective, usable results. Nonprofits left the session with prompts and inspiration to improve their business practices.
Participating Nonprofits: Carolina Youth Coalition, Carolinas Care Partnership, Community Free Clinic, Crisis Assistance Ministry, Crittenton Services of NC, Foster Family Alliance of NC, Freedom Communities, Freedom School Partners, Hearth Math Tutoring, Hope Haven, Hospitality House, InReach, Let’s Talk About it – The Autism Center, Inc., Matthews HELP Center, Rebuilding Together of Greater Charlotte, Roof Above, Social Venture Partners, Charlotte Supportive Housing Communities, YWCA Central Carolinas
Get involved with Apparo’s work to transform the way nonprofits serve our communities.
