Five Questions With: Kathleen Malin

Kathleen Malin, vice president of technology and operations at the Rhode Island Foundation, discussed her position with Providence Business News and how she works with nonprofits. / COURTESY RHODE ISLAND FOUNDATION
Kathleen Malin, vice president of technology and operations at the Rhode Island Foundation, discussed her position with Providence Business News and how she works with nonprofits. / COURTESY RHODE ISLAND FOUNDATION

Kathleen Malin, vice president of technology and operations at the Rhode Island Foundation, discussed her position with Providence Business News and how she works with nonprofits. The past Tech10 award winner also discussed her involvement with the Tech Club in Rhode Island.

PBN: What interested you in the technology field as a career?
MALIN:
Wow, let me see if I can remember back that far! I was interested in science when I was in high school but decided after graduation that my goal was to go to law school. While I was in college I needed a part-time job and ended up at a computer store, called Personal Computer. This was long before people had PCs at their desks and was one of the first computer stores on the East Coast. I became immersed in that amazing, developing world. I participated in the first technology trade show and saw the evolution of Apple’s first computers. Microsoft was just starting and technology was changing every day. I felt so comfortable and at home with technology that I knew I had found my career. I met my husband there too and we eventually started our own technology consulting company. When my children entered elementary school, I started volunteering and that led to my career in nonprofit technology. I worked at several independent schools, and one of them had received grants from the Rhode Island Foundation. When there was a technology opening at the foundation I realized what an incredible opportunity it would be to work for the largest funder of nonprofits in the state, so I applied.
PBN: Tell me about your position at the Rhode Island Foundation.
MALIN:
I started at the foundation as a network administrator, running the servers and infrastructure. Over the 10 years I have been here my position has expanded to managing the technology & operations of the organization. It’s just so exciting to be part of this remarkable 100-year-old organization. The foundation is celebrating its centennial this year with some very special grants and projects, including raising money for an endowment for Roger Williams Park, a series of Centennial Community Grants, and our recent RWP Pops concert featuring the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra at the park. I manage the foundation’s Technology & Operations Department, and we process all of the donations received and grants going out. My department also manages the facilities and IT. We emphasize accuracy and teamwork, are very supportive of each other, and are dedicated to the mission of the foundation. We are actually looking for a new team member right now, for those who might be interested.
PBN: Do a lot of nonprofits struggle with IT issues and social media? How do you help them?
MALIN:
I think many local nonprofits are catching up now because of the abundance of cloud-based software services, like Google for Nonprofits, Microsoft Office 365 and the free nonprofit licenses available for Salesforce. These products are all part of a number of great solutions for nonprofits that are free or low cost. I always recommend that nonprofits look at Tech Soup for reduced cost software products. Still, it’s difficult to manage an organization’s IT needs when critical dollars are needed to meet their missions. Social media is also gaining acceptance with Rhode Island’s nonprofits. Most have Facebook pages and many are using Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and even Snapchat. The next area I would encourage nonprofits consider is the power of video. Everyone has the ability to capture what they do with a smart phone. I would like to see nonprofits embrace that technology to tell their very compelling stories. It’s a great, low-cost fundraising tool.
PBN: What prompted you to start teaching IT in the evenings? Do you still teach?
MALIN:
I love technology and I want everyone to feel the same way! I understand how confusing it can sometimes be so I really enjoy simplifying and demystifying things for people. I know that people with many different skill sets can have a successful career in technology. While I don’t teach anymore because of my increased responsibilities at the foundation, I still have the opportunity to make these kinds of connections individually, especially to encourage women to enter the field. I’ve been a mentor with the Tech Collective’s Women in Technology program, and have had the privilege to mentor two talented young women who were Year Up students. I am honored to have had the chance to see people change their lives with certifications and technology education that can lead to well-paying careers. In fact, I’m very excited that Opportunity @ Work – Tech Hire Rhode Island is sharing our space at the foundation. They are focused on promoting that career training pipeline. And it’s great to see that there is a growing commitment in our state to this type of training also.
PBN: Are you still involved with the Tech Club Rhode Island?
MALIN:
We started Tech Club in 2009 to help create a support network for IT and communications professionals in the Ocean State. We are part of the national organization National Nonprofit Technology Network. NTEN is a terrific resource for nonprofits. They have tools, articles and training available in technology and social media. Right now we are working to develop our strategy for the coming year and are in the midst of planning meetings with a core group of 20 members. As technology is evolving the needs of our nonprofits are as well. We recently partnered with Idealware to create a technology assessment tool that should help us determine the needs of our nonprofits. Several Tech Club Rhode Island regulars have participated and we are hoping to have the results soon. Our plans for future meetings include an event with a well-known author and blogger, and an end of the year get together that’s always fun. In addition to Tech Club, the foundation encourages us to share our expertise with the community so I’m able to make presentations and participate in panels and training sessions. Last year I presented on Data Migration, and was part of a workshop on Online Tools for Nonprofits for the Connecticut Council for Philanthropy. This year I presented on Grant Management Software for the Tech Network of Boston. Additionally, I get to meet with local organizations to discuss their technology needs and volunteer opportunities. I would also recommend that nonprofits look at the foundation’s Initiative for Nonprofit Excellence. They are offering some very helpful programs this fall including budgeting and grant writing basics. These INE programs and Tech Club are all part of the foundation’s important commitment to nonprofits in Rhode Island.

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