Avow Technology Solutions*

Avow Technology Solutions was hit hard by the industry downturn that occurred after Y2K, but the Little Rock-based company never gave up its philanthropic activities.

The full-service, single-source computer network consultation and design company continued to give away computers, digital cameras, printers and laptops to charity.

And Avow keeps on giving – because owner Tom Allen likes it that way.

“We developed a whole new program for nonprofits in the last quarter of 2002,” Allen said. “We give in-kind services and equipment, for free or at reduced rates, to nonprofit and churches.”

Allen’s company gave away $80,000 worth of in-kind services and equipment in 2002. “We hope to make it $100,000 in 2003,” Allen said.

One of the beneficiaries has been CareLink, which administers the Meals on Wheels program in central Arkansas.

“CareLink has multiple offices all over the state and had an inefficient system that wasn’t working for them,” Allen said. “We came in and put a system in that allowed them to do more for the community.”

Avow also has provided the Pulaski County Humane Society and Arkansas Repertory Theatre with heavily discounted products and services, Allen said.

Avow provides the nonprofits with its services for a three-year period at rock-bottom rates. “We completely manage their technology, help desk, consultation and design,” Allen said. “We’re usually talking services that are worth $100,000 and up, and for three years they have a level of service and state-of-the-art technology that they’ve never been able to afford in the past.”

Allen says he does it because he feels it’s the company’s responsibility to give something back to the community.

“We’re not really looking for anything in return,” he said. “And a little philanthropy goes along way when we try to do business in the private sector.”