What an incredible experience I had as a first-time Extern with the Idaho STEM Action Center! I was matched up with Global Bound, LLC, which is an organization run by Mike Krause that helps nonprofit organizations be more impactful and successful. Mike was really great to work with and I feel very lucky to have landed the opportunity. My first project was interviewing leaders of various nonprofit organizations from across the state in an effort to identify common “pain points” nonprofits are experiencing in the current economic age, and to find out how they are using modern technology to solve their problems. I was so impressed and inspired by the passion, commitment and expertise all of these leaders have and how important and impactful their work is in their (our!!) communities.

Another project I worked on was analyzing what resources are available to nonprofits in our region including new and old funding sources and mechanisms, as well as technology including AI software that is explicitly designed to help funder and nonprofits make the Nonprofit/Philanthropy sectors more efficient and effective. I was surprised to learn how data driven processes might unintentionally channel financial resources away from nonprofit organizations that provide truly vital services and resources to the most vulnerable and deserving members of our communities. There appears to be a lot of hope that using AI will actually help match generous funders with nonprofit organizations that will help our communities solve problems together.

I learned a LOT from Mike and from the leaders I met with and from the research I conducted. I know much more about my own community and what resources are available, including how important the nonprofit sector is as an employer in Idaho. I know my students in high school will benefit from my experiences as much as I did when I share with them what learned this summer!