Network for Good

Network for Good is a leading provider of digital fundraising and donor management solutions for nonprofit organizations. Founded in the early 2000s through a collaboration of major technology companies, it has evolved into a comprehensive platform that processes billions of dollars in donations for tens of thousands of charities. The organization combines a powerful technology infrastructure with donor-advised fund services to simplify online giving and help nonprofits grow their impact.

History

The organization was launched in 2001 as a charitable venture initiated by AOL, Cisco Systems, and Yahoo!, with the original vision of creating a central, trusted hub for online philanthropy. Its early years were marked by partnerships with prominent entities like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to spur internet-based giving. A significant evolution occurred in 2017 when it merged with EveryAction, a major provider of nonprofit software, though it later resumed independent operations. This period of consolidation within the CRM and fundraising software sector, involving companies like Blackbaud and Salesforce.org, shaped its strategic direction. Under the leadership of CEOs such as Bill Strathmann and later Lindsay J.K. Nichols, it has continually adapted its model, notably expanding its donor-advised fund program to become a core service.

Services and operations

Its primary services are divided into two main areas: a fundraising software platform for nonprofits and a donor-advised fund program. The software suite, often provided under the "Network for Good" brand, includes tools for creating donation pages, managing email campaigns, and tracking donor relationships, competing with solutions from Classy and DonorPerfect. Its donor-advised fund, a separate 501(c)(3) public charity, allows individual donors to make tax-deductible contributions, recommend grants to any eligible IRS-approved charity, and manage their giving through a dedicated online account. This dual-model approach serves a diverse clientele, from small local food banks and animal shelters to larger institutions like museums and universities.

Technology platform

The technology infrastructure is built to handle high-volume, secure transaction processing, integrating with major payment gateways like Stripe and PayPal. The platform emphasizes ease of use, offering customizable donation forms, automated receipting for tax compliance, and data analytics dashboards. It ensures security and compliance with standards such as the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). The system is designed for integration, allowing nonprofits to connect donation data with broader constituent management systems, facilitating a unified view of supporter engagement across channels like Facebook fundraising and direct email outreach.

Impact and recognition

Since its inception, it has processed billions of dollars in charitable donations, facilitating critical funding for organizations responding to crises like Hurricane Katrina and the COVID-19 pandemic. The efficiency of its donor-advised fund has been highlighted for allowing rapid grantmaking during disasters. While not typically a recipient of industry awards like the Webby Awards, its operational scale and longevity within the philanthropic technology sector serve as key markers of its impact. Its work is often cited in reports by organizations like the Nonprofit Technology Network (NTEN) and the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) regarding trends in digital giving.

Partnerships and funding

Its operations are sustained through a combination of software subscription fees from nonprofits and administrative fees from its donor-advised fund. Strategic partnerships have been fundamental, including early foundational support from the Casey Family Programs and ongoing collaborations with corporate giving programs like Benevity. It also partners with community foundations and financial institutions to offer branded giving solutions. As a privately held entity, its funding and growth have been influenced by investments and the broader venture capital interest in the social enterprise and fintech spaces, navigating a competitive landscape that includes Charity Navigator and GoFundMe.

Category:Nonprofit technology organizations Category:Organizations based in Maryland Category:Donor-advised funds Category:2001 establishments in the United States