Mytech’s mission is to grow, help, and make a difference. By partnering with local businesses, and giving back to our community we can make a difference in the community as a whole.
With this in mind, we partner with local like-minded companies that are ready to make a difference to local nonprofits. There are various prizes offered this year, including 3 years of managed and professional IT services, a financial empowerment workshop, board of director training, and more!
We will be accepting applications between October 1st, 2024 and November 20th, 2024. All organizations will be judged based on their need, their technology vision, and their ability to capitalize on the value of our services. The winner and the top 3 finalists will be announced at an event on December 4th, 2024.
Managed and Professional IT Services – a $250,000 value
Donated by – Mytech Partners
Mytech Partners is offering a prize donation for one (1) winner. The prize is:
Public Relations Package – a $2,500 value
Donated by – Game Changer Communications
Game Changer Communications is generously offering a prize donation for one (1) winner to choose one (1) of the two (2) prizes. The prizes are:
Board of Director Training – a $2,500 value
Donated by – John Sullivan, Ret.
Financial Empowerment Workshop – a $2,500 value
Donated by – Whitney Wealth Group
Whitney Wealth Group is generously offering a prize donation for one (1) winner. This prize is:
Marketing Consultation – a $2,500 value
Donated by – Rocket55
Rocket 55 is generously offering a prize donation for one (1) winners to choose one (1) of the two (2) prizes. These prizes are:
IT Consultation – a value of $2,500
Donated by – Mytech Partners
Mytech Partners is offering a prize donation, for one (1) winner to choose one (1) of two (2) prizes. These prizes are:
Nonprofit Management Software Subscription – a value of $3,000
Donated by – Affnetz
Affnetz is offering a prize donation for three (3) winners. The prize is:
Comprehensive Website Audit – a $2,500 value
Donated by – Evolve Systems
Evolve Systems is offering a prize donation for one (1) winner. The prize is:
Professional Leadership Coaching – a $5,750 value
Donated by – Keystone Group International
Keystone Group International is offering a prize donation for one (1) winner. The prize is:
Peer to Peer Advisory Group Membership – a $3,000 value
Donated by – Coalition9
Coaltion9 is generously offering a prize donation for one (1) winner. The prize is:
To qualify for the Managed Services grant from Mytech Partners, all applicants:
All winners will be announced at our Make A Difference Community Event on December 4th, 2024. A representative from your organization must be present to win.
The winners will be selected from all qualified applicants. The selection panel will feature several judges from the community, in addition to two judges from Mytech Partners. The Judges will select the winners based on:
ELIGIBILITY: Mytech Partners, Inc.’s Make a Difference Community Partner Grant (“Grant”) is a promotional grant sponsored by Mytech with contributions by various technology partners, distributors, and others (collectively “Sponsors”). It is only open and offered to Not for Profit (NFP) charitable organizations located within Minnesota. The NFP may be any 501c3 organization and/or charitable organization. The entrant must be an employee, volunteer or member of the Board of Directors of the NFP and enters with its permission and on its behalf. Employees of Mytech, any sponsors, their related companies, contractors, consultants, representatives, agents and immediate family and household members of each such employee are not eligible to enter directly. However, they may be volunteers or members of the Board of Directors of an entering NFP organization. This Contest is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. All NFP entrants are responsible for compliance with any contractual limitations and/or office policies, if any, regarding participation or grant acceptance in this promotion.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Each entrant has the responsibility to review and understand its policies regarding its eligibility to participate in this contest. If an individual is participating in violation of Entrant’s policies or any applicable state or federal law or regulation, that Entrant may be disqualified from this Contest at Mytech’s sole discretion.
CONTEST PERIOD: The contest entry period begins on October 1st, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. CST and ends on November 20th, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. CST. Qualifying Round judging will occur by November 20th, 2024. The announcement of the winner will be made on December 4th, 2024. Public health guidelines will determine if the event where this is announced will be in person or virtual. A representative from the organization must be present to win.
SPONSORS: The Contest is sponsored by Mytech located at 300 2nd Street NW New Brighton, MN 55112 and other Sponsors.
AGREEMENT TO OFFICIAL RULES: Participation in the Contest constitutes each NFP Entrant’s full and unconditional agreement to and acceptance of these Official Rules and the decisions of Sponsors and Judges which are final and binding in all matters related to the Grant.
HOW TO ENTER: To enter during the Contest Period, visit https://mytech.com/make-a-difference-community-partner-grant/ and follow the instructions to complete and submit a registration for the grant. Once submitted, entries may not be modified deleted or cancelled. Only completed Entries will be considered. Multiple entries for the same agency will not affect judging and will be consolidated into a single entry.
JUDGES: Mytech will select judges from the community and/or Sponsors, in addition to the two judges from Mytech. The decisions of the judges are final.
JUDGING CRITERIA:
Qualifying Round: Entrants will be judged from their adherence to these Official Rules and a fully completed application.
We are asking that all panelists select the finalists based on need, the perceived impact the Make a Difference Community Partner Grant will have on the organization’s ability to fulfill its mission, and the organization’s vision for how they can use technology to better serve their mission. Judging this contest is very subjective, and there could be several very worthy candidates. We have entrusted the judges to make the best decision with the information they are given.
PRIZES: There will be ONE (1) Grand Prize winner*. The Grand Prize is valued at up to $250,000 in donated services over the term of the grant! The Grand Prize will include three years of Mytech Smart Business Suite Managed Services, and Project Services. (nonprofit must have a minimum of 15 and a maximum of 40 computers in their organization.)
*Current Mytech clients are not eligible for the Grand Prize, but may be chosen for the runner up or sponsored prizes.
IMPORTANT PRIZE INFORMATION:
All Products and services must be redeemed within six (6) months of prize award.
Prize components may not be resold, auctioned, bartered, assigned, exchanged, transferred or donated for a period of three (3) years from the date of their acceptance without the written permission of Mytech.
The winner will be responsible at their own cost and expense for any equipment, software licenses, Infrastructure as a Service/Software as a Service (IaaS/SaaS), Phone/Internet connections and other non-labor costs not included herein. The technology infrastructure investments need to be made in accordance to Mytech’s Best Practices Value Map referenced here: https://mytech.com/bestpractices/.
All elements of the grant are awarded in Sponsors’ sole discretion based on an assessment and consultation with the winning organization. Additionally, on an annual basis, Mytech will review the with the Grant winner the following criteria so that Mytech and Grant winner can stay in alignment and mutually adjust if needed:
As part of the Grant Winner’s acceptance, Mytech will present to the Board of Directors on an annual basis to share the Strategic IT Roadmap and be available for questions.
No cash or other substitutions in whole or in part are permitted except at the discretion of Sponsors who reserve the right to substitute a prize of comparable value if any portion of the prize is deemed unsuitable for winning organization.
Upon completion of Mytech’s analysis and at its sole discretion, unneeded, superfluous or duplicate equipment may be eliminated or other equipment or services substituted.
Mytech will have the prize winner participate in a case study and/or in other public relations or marketing activities.
GENERAL CONDITIONS: All Entrants, Finalists, and the winner must comply with all terms and conditions of these Official Rules; winning is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements. In addition and without limiting any other provision in these Official Rules, Sponsors reserve the right to disqualify any Entrant who, in Sponsors’ sole discretion: (i) is not in compliance with these Official Rules, (ii) tampers with the entry process, the grant, or the website; or (iii) is acting in an uncooperative, unsportsmanlike, disruptive, abusive, or threatening manner. By submitting an Entry, each Entrant grants to Sponsors the right to print, publish, display, broadcast, and use, worldwide in any media including the World Wide Web and the Internet, at any time, the Entrant’s name and basic, entry information, statements about the promotion, as news, information and for Sponsors’ trade, advertising and/or promotional purposes without additional compensation or review.
SPONSOR’S RIGHTS TO GRANT ENTRIES: By entering, Entrant represents and warrants to Sponsor that its entry and all information therein is accurate and truthful to the best of Entrant’s knowledge, and further represents and warrants that the Entry does not contain any confidential or proprietary information of the submitting organization or any third party. Submission of Entry grants the Sponsor and its agents the right in perpetuity to reproduce, publish, use, edit, adapt and/or modify such Entry, in any way, in any and all media, without limitation and without compensation to Entrant. The winner also agrees that the Sponsor may, at its sole discretion, use the name of the Winning Organization along with details of the Prize including technical, managerial, and other information in advertising, marketing, and other promotional material.
LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY: BY ENTERING THIS CONTEST OR ACCEPTING ANY PRIZE, EACH ENTRANT AND WINNER AGREE THAT THE SPONSORS AND THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES, EMPLOYEES, REPRESENTATIVES AND AGENTS (“RELEASED PARTIES”) WILL HAVE NO LIABILITY WHATSOEVER FOR, AND WILL BE RELEASED AND HELD HARMLESS BY ENTRANTS AND BY THE WINNER FOR: (1) ANY INCORRECT OR INACCURATE INFORMATION, WHETHER CAUSED BY ENTRANTS, PRINTING ERRORS OR BY ANY OF THE EQUIPMENT OR PROGRAMMING ASSOCIATED WITH OR UTILIZED IN THE CONTEST; (2) TECHNICAL FAILURES OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, MALFUNCTIONS, INTERRUPTIONS, OR DISCONNECTIONS IN PHONE LINES OR NETWORK HARDWARE OR SOFTWARE; (3) UNAUTHORIZED HUMAN INTERVENTION IN ANY PART OF THE ENTRY PROCESS OR THE CONTEST; (4) TECHNICAL OR HUMAN ERROR WHICH MAY OCCUR IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE CONTEST, THE PROCESSING OF ENTRIES OR INSTALLATION OF THE PRIZES; OR (5) ANY INJURY OR DAMAGE TO PERSONS OR PROPERTY WHICH MAY BE CAUSED, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, NOW OR IN THE FUTURE, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, FROM ENTRANT’S PARTICIPATION IN THE CONTEST OR DELIVERY, MIS-DELIVERY, ACCEPTANCE, POSSESSION, SET-UP, INSTALLATION, RECEIPT, USE OR MISUSE OF ANY PRIZE, OR ANY PRIZE RELATED ACTIVITY, AND WHETHER OR NOT CAUSED BY THE NEGLIGENCE OF ONE OR MORE OF THE RELEASED PARTIES. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHALL SPONSORS OR PRIZE SUPPLIER BE LIABLE TO YOU OR ANY THIRD PARTY FOR PUNITIVE, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, SPECIAL OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES ARISING FROM ENTRANT’S PARTICIPATION IN THIS PROGRAM , ANY PRIZE OR ENTRANT’S RECEIPT, USE OR INSTALLATION OF ANY PRIZE.
Neither Sponsors nor prize supplier(s) are responsible for any delayed, lost, incorrect or inaccurate information, whether caused by Entrants, by any of the equipment or programming associated with or used in the Contest, or by any technical or human error that might occur. Entrants shall be deemed to have read and agree to be bound by these Rules and Conditions and by the decisions of Mytech which shall be final and binding in all respects. Sponsors’ failure to enforce any provision of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of any provision.
DISPUTES: Any dispute, controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Contest or these Official Rules, or the breach thereof, shall be settled by the Executive Officer of the winning Organization and by the CEO of Mytech.
WINNER LIST: The Make a Difference Community Partner Grant Winner along with the four runner up organizations will be announced at an event held by Mytech Partners, and it will be published on our web site www.mytech.com.
Lyf Wildenberg is a seasoned Technology Professional with over 20 years of experience in leading a successful IT services business. Lyf specializes in strategic direction, organizational design and thought leadership in the IT services industry.
In his current role at Mytech Partners, Lyf leads a dynamic team that is successfully delivering IT services to SMB clients in several US markets. Additionally, he has been instrumental in Mytech Partners growth and development of shared service model.
Outside of work, Lyf and his wife Andrea, are pursuing their private pilot certificate with the goal to become Flight instructors upon retirement.
Todd is a versatile and highly motivated professional with strong problem-solving skills and a passion for leadership. A proven leader with experience including business operations, facilities management, logistics, supply chain management, project management, inventory management, service delivery, training, safety, and process improvement.
Bringing 20 years of experience in the technology industry, Todd has a passion for problem solving and helping others achieve success.
In his position with Carlson, John provided primary support to the company's Board of Directors and served as a member of the executive team. Prior to Carlson, John served as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for Imation Corp.
John is also active in local community organizations. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Matthew Shepard Foundation. He recently served as Chair of the Board of Trustees for the Minneapolis Foundation, as Co-Chair of the Power to Build Capital Campaign for Family Tree Clinic, and as the immediate past Chair of the Board of Directors for the Regions Hospital Foundation.
John previously served on the Board of Directors for Minnesotans United for All Families; as President of the Board of Directors for the Jungle Theater; on the Board of Governors for The Children’s Theatre Company; on the Board of Directors for James Sewell Ballet; and on the Board of Directors for Grace House, an adult foster care facility for people living with HIV/AIDS.
John was a founding member of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Business Council in 1997 and served as its co-chair from 2001 to 2003. John also served on the Board of Directors of OutFront Minnesota, the organization serving the LGBTQ community in Minnesota.
Whitney Emanuel has been a financial advisor since 2011 and went independent in 2019 and launched Whitney Wealth Group. Whitney works with high-income, purpose-driven owners & executives throughout the country that want to align their purpose and values with their money. In addition, she does public speaking
designed to empower teams, networking groups, and organizations to unlock their financial potential. With a commitment to creating a judgment-free environment, Whitney sparks conversations that delve into the profound connection between time, money, and personal values. Whitney believes money is simply the means to your end: not the focus of your plan. Instead of starting with how much money you have, she starts the client
relationship with client core values and how to live those out through your money behavior.
Whitney’s core values are faith in Jesus, service, health, family, decisiveness, and joy. She lives in North Minneapolis with her 10-year-old daughter, Zurisadai. Other than being a mom and business owner, Whitney pastors those who are struggling with addiction and are new in their sober and/or faith journey. Whitney and Zuri serve in their faith family that provides for one another’s needs in housing, prayer & mission. In all of her life ventures, Whitney is passionate about ushering individuals out of a place of fear and shame into love, joy and peace.
Jenna Sherrick is the Senior Marketing Manager at Evolve Systems. She oversees the marketing team specialists, leads strategy on marketing retainers, and meets with potential clients to determine the best strategy for digital success.
Her career started as an SEO specialist at a marketing agency specializing in industrial B2B, giving her a unique perspective on why industrial marketing differs from other industries. As her career progressed, she developed a love for data and found that the answers for the next steps truly lie in the numbers. Her favorite part about her current role is focusing on the big picture and determining what tactics must be pulled in.
In her free time, you can find her experimenting with a new kitchen gadget or playing with mud in her garden. She has one velcro furbaby named Zara, a black Lab, who is an important part of the family. Jenna recently got engaged in Italy and could not be more excited about the next chapter in her life with her partner, Graig.
John Wurm is organizational development and engagement director at the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, where he leads the organization’s varied communications efforts, develops and executes marketing and promotional planning for MCN programs and products, and oversees the nonprofit and associate membership programs.
Prior to joining MCN, John worked for 14 years in the Twin Cities book publishing industry, assuming a wide-range of product marketing, communications, and media relations roles. His previous nonprofit experience also includes communications, events, and marketing roles at the United Way of Minneapolis and Redleaf Press, a leading nonprofit publisher of resources for early childhood professionals.
John holds a B.A. in mass communications, with an emphasis in public relations, from St. Cloud State University. He has been with MCN since 2012.
Resulting from years of Nonprofit leadership, several thousands hours volunteering, board roles and membership(s) in such Nonprofits, the word “Service” takes on a special meaning for Bala Guntipalli.
Nonprofit and member-based associations for which he volunteered or served in leadership positions were Rising Star OutReach, Toastmasters International, Business Network International (BNI), The Blake School, The Children’s Workshop Montessori, Ronald McDonald House Charities (Upper Midwest) and many others.
Born and raised in Italy to Ghanian parents, Nancy moved to the U.S. in 2001. This was a stark contrast to her experiences growing up near Milan, where she and her family were the only Black people in town.
After traveling to over 60 countries as a flight attendant and learning even more languages (she now speaks seven, including Japanese), Nancy’s key life moment occurred when she lived in Charlotte, North Carolina. After earning several promotions at a major bank, she learned that people of color in the bank’s call center were earning $10-12 less per hour than their white counterparts, even if they had the same or more responsibilities. After helping her colleagues secure fair pay, improve their resumes and land better jobs elsewhere, Nancy got a vision for an organization that could help address inequity at a systemic level. She started Black Business Enterprises (BBE) in 2015.
BBE’s mission is to give minority entrepreneurs access to capital and other critical resources they often lack — including financial literacy, business planning, technology, marketing and mentorship — so they can start, grow and sustain successful businesses that improve their lives and build their communities. Today, BBE has over 72,000 registered members in 32 countries and every state, including Nancy’s current home base of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Nancy’s future goals for BBE include reaching 1 million members worldwide, making sure that every BBE member goes through rigorous financial literacy training, and raising $4 million so BBE can provide larger grants and make an even greater impact.
In addition to BBE, Nancy owns a home care agency with her family; performs diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and anti-racist behavior training for businesses; is a popular one-on- one coach and mentor for entrepreneurs; and hosts the popular Black Business Enterprises podcast and the Black Business Ball.
Jason Sprenger is a national leader in using the entire spectrum of strategic communications to transform organizations and create/accelerate business value. He founded Game Changer Communications in September 2012, and since then has specialized in helping small to medium-sized B2B and tech organizations find their voice, accelerate growth, optimize sales, launch products/businesses and more. He has held Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) since 2009, and introduced the Umbrella Model for Public Relations in 2015.
Before Sprenger founded Game Changer, he built and ran two corporate PR departments (most recently as Public Relations Manager for North America at FICO). Before that, he worked in three Minnesota-based PR firms and had most every kind of client there is.
Sprenger currently serves on the PRSA National Board of Directors, where he helps lead and set policy for the Society and the PR/communications industry as a whole. Before his election to the Board, he served in a variety of leadership roles at all PRSA levels over 20 years – including as the 2016 President of the Minnesota Chapter and the 2020 Chair of the Midwest District. He also served seven years on the South by Southwest (SXSW) Festival Advisory Board and a combined seven years on the Boards of Minneapolis-area nonprofits Bolder Options and The LEAD Project.
Stephanie brings her coaching and advising experience to individuals and teams. As an executive coach and strategic business advisor, Stephanie is passionate about elevating leaders and helping them chart new paths to success. With a background in Healthcare, Business, & Education industries, she brings a wealth of experience in advocacy, team leadership, and driving positive individual and organizational change.
Stephanie is a strategic business coach deeply interested in how leaders elevate results and chart new paths even when stuck or when resource-limited. She is unreasonably excited by individuals motivated and ready to invest in themselves to make actionable/positive + impactful changes.
Known for her ability to quickly establish rapport and create a safe, trusting environment, Stephanie excels at bringing out the best in her clients. She is deeply committed to helping leaders elevate their impact, even when faced with personal or professional challenges and feeling stuck.
Known as a results driven Business Growth Strategy Consultant, Advising, Business Owners, Entrepreneurs, + Effective Executive Coach, Growing Businesses , creating impactful strategies to drive profitable new business opportunities, resources and creative ideas that drive businesses leads + brand visibility.
Clients hire her to help them grow:
BUSINESS GROWTH CONSULTING - guiding small to mid-size business owners in achieving their revenue goals through customized & defined business development & marketing strategies + business acumen. Advised MANUFACTURING company on creating new strategy to retain and grow current customers that increased sales by 20% in two months.
STRATEGIC MARKETING & BUSINESS ROADMAP PLANNING - creating individualized, comprehensive strategy and supporting tactics to advance a company’s brand and positioning and provide direction on generating new business and growth opportunities. FINANCIAL WEALTH ADVISOR increased brand visibility by 200% through media relations, marketing communications & PR strategies gained new business referrals.
PARTNERSHIP & SPONSORSHIP ALIGNMENT FOR BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT - providing marketing and sales advice with tactical, actionable strategy which results in business owners focused on their expertise and accelerating growth. ADVISED MORTGAGE FIRM on partnership with nonprofit organization resulting in higher brand visibility, relevant referrals and profitable business leads.
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