The Heart Behind Emerging Nonprofit Technology: Why Founders Are Reimagining Tools for Social Good
In the nonprofit world, we’re often asked about our “why.”
But what happens when we flip the script—and ask that same question to the people building technology for our sector?
In a recent LinkedIn Live hosted by The Nonprofit Hive, three tech founders—Zach Hynek (Cadenza), Dmitry Koltunov (Arbor), and John Mika (MIKA GivingApp)—shared not just their products, but the heart behind them. From grant writing tools and content automation to reimagining digital donations, these founders are building more than platforms—they’re building movements.
This wasn’t your typical tech panel filled with buzzwords and features. This was a conversation grounded in values, transparency, and a shared belief that nonprofit professionals deserve better tools—and better treatment—when it comes to emerging nonprofit technology.
Why Emerging Nonprofit Tech Needs a Heart, Not Just a Feature List
Nonprofits don’t just need more tools—they need tools built by people who get it.
Every panelist on our LinkedIn Live had a story that led them to build. For Zach Hynek, co-founder of Cadenza, it was repeated conversations with nonprofit leaders—conversations that always circled back to burnout.
“Fundraisers do the least glamorous work, and they deserve better tools,” Zach shared. “We wanted to reduce the time and effort it takes for organizations to handle their fundraising. AI gave us a real opportunity to do that.”
That insight has shaped Cadenza’s current offering. Their platform helps organizations not just find and apply for grants, but also maintain relationships and deliver reports with significantly less stress and strain. Zach and his team use AI to cut down the time it takes to write proposals, freeing up hours each week for already overstretched development staff.
For Dmitry Koltunov, founder of Arbor, the journey started on a personal note. He had planned to capture his grandmother’s story on video but lost the chance when she passed away. That experience drove him to build something that makes storytelling easier for everyone.
“We recorded over a thousand family stories before realizing nonprofits needed this more,” he said. “They were telling amazing stories—but doing it manually, over days. We knew we could help.”
Now, Arbor empowers nonprofit comms teams to transform raw video footage into polished campaigns with just a few clicks. Their clients can upload a sermon, interview, or speech—and in minutes, Arbor uses AI to generate emails, social posts, quotes, and articles. This isn’t just about efficiency; it’s about making sure the powerful stories nonprofits already have don’t get lost.
And for John Mika, co-founder of MIKA GivingApp, the “why” came from years in the payment systems world—and from sitting on the boards of local charities.
“I saw all this effort going into planning fundraising events, only for them to fall apart at the last mile—when it came to actually collecting donations,” he said. “People don’t carry cash anymore. We wanted to make it easier.”
That’s exactly what MIKA GivingApp does today. It turns smartphones and tablets into seamless donation tools—no complicated hardware, no confusing setup. Whether it’s a gala, golf tournament, or hospital fundraiser, MIKA provides real-time insights and payment options that feel natural to donors. The app is now used by organizations like Ronald McDonald House and SPCA, and even allows volunteers like “Scotty the Fireman” in New Zealand to collect thousands in donations with just a tap.
Adoption Isn’t About the Tool—It’s About the People
The conversation quickly moved beyond the tools themselves. Because here’s the thing: nonprofit professionals aren’t bad at technology—they’re under-resourced, overworked, and often left out of the innovation conversation.
As Zach put it, “The bigger challenge is unrestricted funding. Staff don’t have the operational budget to adopt and implement new tools, even if they want to.”
Cadenza is tackling this head-on by building onboarding and customer success into its core experience. Their approach? Help organizations where they are, not where you wish they were.
Dmitry added, “The best technology doesn’t make you conscious that it exists. It just works.” At Arbor, this means designing intuitive workflows and showing comms teams how to reuse content they’ve already created—amplifying their message without adding hours to the week.
John brought it home: “Our job as tech founders is to simplify. To listen. To reduce the barrier. No pressure, no obligation—just value.” MIKA GivingApp continues to expand by learning from its users, adapting to new giving behaviors, and responding to real-time feedback.
Three Keys to Making Tech Work in the Sector
1. Reduce the Complexity
If it feels overwhelming, it won’t get used. As John shared, even the most well-intentioned tools fail if they require too much lift. That’s why Mika GivingApp started with mobile phones and is now expanding into simple hardware that works anywhere—from hospital foyers to church lobbies.
2. Understand the Real Job-to-Be-Done
“People don’t hire products—they hire results,” Dmitry explained. Technology should always be in service of something bigger: connecting with donors, sharing impact, making fundraising easier. Start with that goal. Arbor’s interface is built with this principle in mind—it’s not about editing software, it’s about communication.
3. Inspire Action, Not Paralysis
New tech often gets pushed to the bottom of the to-do list. Why? Because it feels like a risk. But small wins add up. “Start with one use case,” Dmitry advised. “Get a quick win. That’s how we shift from a scarcity mindset to an opportunity mindset.”
What Gives These Founders Hope?
Even in a time of tightening budgets and increasing demands, these founders remain deeply hopeful.
Zach sees it in the growing transparency and pushback against tired narratives. “People are rallying to tell the real stories behind nonprofit work. It’s not flashy, but it’s deeply human.” He’s also seeing more funders open to conversations about unrestricted giving and tech investment—a shift that could change everything.
For Dmitry, hope lives in the act of storytelling itself. “Storytelling transfers hope. It’s how we remember why we do this work.” Arbor’s work with churches and social justice orgs has reinforced this belief. They’re watching small teams do big things with a little support.
And for John, it’s the everyday changemakers. “I’m inspired by volunteers like Scotty the Fireman, standing in airports raising money for leukemia research. He’s not a tech guy, but he’s using our tools to do more good. That’s the whole point.”
Tech with a Soul Will Always Matter More
There’s no shortage of emerging nonprofit technology out there. But what we need more of are tools built with soul—by people who understand the heartbeat of this sector.
These founders aren’t building to sell. They’re building to serve. And as they each reminded us, the technology only matters if it helps you do more of what matters most.
Let’s build—and back—tech that understands that difference.
Conclusion: Investing in Tech That Truly Serves Nonprofits
Building nonprofit technology that actually helps requires two essential shifts: a human-centered mindset and intentional, community-driven design. These aren’t flashy tools trying to fit nonprofits into tech—but purpose-built solutions that fit into the messy, mission-driven realities of nonprofit life.
What became clear in this conversation with Zach, Dmitry, and John is that true tech innovation in our sector doesn’t come from the latest trends—it comes from empathy, listening, and a commitment to reducing overwhelm. From helping fundraisers reclaim hours in their week to supporting small teams in telling their stories more clearly, these platforms are built to support—not replace—the real people behind the mission.
If we want to see nonprofits thrive, we have to prioritize tools that lower barriers, save time, and amplify impact—without adding more to an already-full plate.
Our Speakers:
During our recent LinkedIn Live, we had the opportunity to hear from three founders who are walking the walk—blending technical expertise with a deep understanding of nonprofit challenges.
Zach Hynek, Co-Founder of Cadenza, is turning his lived experience working with a family foundation into a tool that supports fundraisers through every step of the grant process. His work is rooted in reducing burnout and giving fundraisers time back in their day.
Dmitry Koltunov, Founder and CEO of Arbor, has built a platform that democratizes storytelling by helping nonprofit comms teams scale their content creation. Inspired by loss and guided by purpose, Dmitry’s mission is to make nonprofits louder—without asking them to work harder.
John Mika, Co-Founder of MIKA GivingApp, comes from decades in the payment systems world and saw firsthand how underserved community organizations were. His solution? A simple, elegant donation tool that’s already changing how people give at events around the world.
Together, these leaders reminded us that emerging nonprofit technology isn’t just about what we build—it’s about who we build it for.
About The Nonprofit Hive
The Nonprofit Hive supports changemakers globally by fostering one-on-one connections that empower, inspire, and drive social change. We are committed to helping nonprofit professionals connect with the resources and networks they need to amplify their impact.
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Tasha Van Vlack is the co-founder of The Nonprofit Hive. Her happy place is building community, talking nonprofit work/marketing/parenting and meeting new people.
Being a cheerleader for nonprofiteers is where Tasha has found her niche – she hopes that by providing a space for connection, nonprofit work will become more collaborative and supportive.