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This paid piece is courtesy of Pigeon605
In lieu of traditional corporate gifts, the team at Sioux Falls-based Direct decided to take a different approach to giving this holiday season.
“In the spirit of the season, we wanted to be more intentional about how we give,” said Marcia Schmitz, vice president of experience.
“Our team saw this as an opportunity to reflect our shared values and make a meaningful impact beyond our organization.”
Team members were invited to nominate and vote on nonprofit organizations they felt passionate about, ensuring that everyone had a voice and that the organizations Direct supported “truly reflected our collective commitment to giving back,” Schmitz said.
“The contributions were made with care and intention, guided by the causes our team is passionate about and a shared focus on thoughtful, purpose-driven giving that supports organizations creating real and lasting impact in the communities we serve.”
Direct is a family of businesses that largely are tech-focused, including:
- Process and machine automation.
- Custom software and data management.
- Phone systems.
- Managed IT.
- Security system services.
- Design and fabrication services of electrical and mechanical systems.
While its clients represent diverse businesses and industries, their response to Direct’s giving was consistent.
“It has been overwhelmingly positive from both our team and our clients,” Schmitz said.
“This time of year naturally encourages reflection on the blessings we have, and many people are especially aware of the growing needs within our communities. There has been strong support for shifting our gift-giving efforts in this direction, and it has really resonated with those we work with.”
The initiative “reflects who we are as a team: thoughtful, community-minded and committed to making a positive difference,” she continued.
“We’re grateful for the opportunity to support organizations doing important work and thankful to our team and clients for embracing this approach to giving.”
Direct’s commitment to area nonprofits also extends beyond the holiday season.
The company offers nonprofit pricing for its nonprofit customers as a way to support their missions year-round and help them maximize their resources.
“Nonprofits provide critical services to our communities and often rely on grant or state funding that can be unpredictable,” said Joe Henderson, director of technology.
“By offering a flat-rate nonprofit rate, we provide consistent, high-quality technical support along with a fixed, predictable IT expense they can reliably budget for month to month. This stability allows nonprofits to stay focused on their mission rather than uncertainty around technology costs.”
While nonprofits understandably are cautious with their budgets and might minimize their investment in IT, he encourages them to establish a stable, affordable approach.
“Relying on break/fix support often leads to downtime, unpredictable costs and disruptions that prevent them from serving their communities when systems fail,” Henderson said. “Nonprofits are also frequent targets for cyberthreats and handle sensitive personal data, making proactive security and compliance critical. We’re committed to providing stable, managed IT services that reduce risk, ensure reliability and allow nonprofits to focus on their mission while we take care of the technology.”
The program offered by Direct draws significant positive feedback from nonprofits, including because Direct understands their unique needs, he added.
“Providing reliable support that keeps their operations stable, along with predictable pricing they can budget against, allows them to plan with confidence,” he said. “This approach has consistently led to strong retention and long-term relationships.”
Learn more about Direct Companies and its support for nonprofit organizations below.
