Pro Bono Consultant Profile

Juan Molinari

Web Developer, Software Developer and Data Analyst in New York City

Background

Juan is a freelance web developer. He studied computer science at Rochester Institute of Technology and has been working in this capacity since 1996.

Pro Bono Clients & Projects

Three projects completed including:  West Side Campaign Against Hunger, Advanced Website.

What was your Taproot Foundation project experience?

The nonprofit client is always enthusiastic about the project, but is not always prepared to see it to completion in a time-efficient manner. My team members have been invariably capable and professional.

How have you grown from your pro bono work?

Making connections is always beneficial. Becoming aware of other people’s realities is always good karma - this is particularly apt in regards to my current project: a website for a food pantry.

What were the biggest challenges?

It’s sometimes surprising how long it takes to do simple things when there is no money involved - it can be frustrating, but also rewarding once the work gets done.

How can the business community and nonprofit sector strengthen one another?

I think there should be a more integrated approach to philanthropy in that businesses should be encouraged to sponsor one or more nonprofits in a long-term, ongoing commitment.

What community issues hit home and what did you learn from the project?

I’m interested in breaking the cycle of poverty and ignorance. I’m concerned that children of people who are destitute in the self-sufficiency sense do not learn the basic life coping skills that will prevent them from being equally helpless. I’m learning that for the most part band-aids are used to address society’s problems, but the underlying causes would require some more fundamental changes in approach.

What do you do when you’re not doing pro bono?

Cycling. Volunteering for the Obama 2008 presidential campaign.