A Passion for Operational Impact through Technology. Yes, We are a Bunch of Geeks.
Shavlik Family Foundation
The Shavlik Family Foundation is a private family charitable trust located in White Bear Lake, Minnesota exclusively serving Minnesota-based nonprofits. The foundation was created by Rebecca and Mark Shavlik with part of the proceeds from the acquisition of their company Shavlik Technologies in 2011. The foundation chose to focus on investing in technology for the nonprofit community to align with the expertise of its founders.
Grants are reviewed by family members and outside consultants with the goal of making the biggest impact from an investment made by the foundation.
Rebecca Shavlik
Founder and Executive Director
Rebecca has been active in the nonprofit community for decades. She has a Master in Library Science and worked for several nonprofits early in her career with a focus on research and planning and more recently has served on a number of nonprofit boards.
In addition, she has overseen operations in two entrepreneurial organizations taking them from early growth stages to recognized leaders in their sectors and serving on their boards after her employment until each was acquired.
Since 2013 she has run the Shavlik Family Foundation as its founder and Executive Director.
Mark Shavlik
Founder and Trustee
Mark Shavlik has over 30 years of technical and business leadership experience starting his career at Microsoft, and working for several Fortune 500 companies before founding his own company.
As CEO Mark Shavlik made his company, Shavlik Technologies, into one of the most trusted and respected names in IT security. Mark also served as a VP and General Manager at VMware after they acquired Shavlik Technologies.
Mark is now the CEO of Senserva, focused on making advanced security technologies available to everyone.
Sarah McClure
Grant Program Manager
Sarah has over a decade of nonprofit experience, including in development and grants management. In that time, she successfully managed the entire lifecycle of grant proposals. Sarah most recently served as the Assistant Director of Development at Internet Security Research Group, the nonprofit behind Let’s Encrypt. Prior to that she served as a Development Manager at Forecast Public Art and the Minnesota Museum of American Art, as well as was a part of the Corporate Social Responsibility team at Aveda Corporation. She is a graduate of New York University.
Sarah is excited to apply her experience to helping Minnesota nonprofits further their missions through the implementation of technology projects.
Our Board Members and Reviewers
Our Board of Directors is composed of family members and outside consultants who each bring a unique set of skills and perspectives from the nonprofit sector. We rely on each member’s expertise to review LOI’s and Applications, and make funding recommendations. See below a list of past and present members along with their areas of expertise.
Karen Graham, MBA (Nonprofit Management)
Nonprofit technology leader and strategist who is a frequent writer and speaker. Former Chief Advancement Officer of Tech Impact, currently an independent consultant for nonprofits.
Board Member Since 2015
Joel Barker
Experienced in philanthropic development, marketing, and technology strategies. President of Brave North Technology.
Board Member Since 2016
Ryan Sweeney
Focused on data driven operations and technology innovation in nonprofits. Director of Operations, Minnesota Zoo Foundation.
Board Member Since 2019
Kelsey Poulin
Focused on technology innovation and fundraising in nonprofits. Former Grants Manager at the Shavlik Family Foundation.
Board Member Since 2025