This is Alex Wilson-Campbell and you're listening to the Remote Work Life podcast. Today, I am profiling Wale Mafalosiri, founder of Givelify, a mobile first giving platform that's helped churches and non-profits raise billions in donations. In 2023 alone, they processed over one billion dollars. Wale launched Givelify in 2013. The idea was simple Giving should be easy, instant and location-free. At the time, many organizations still relied on cash or checks, but more and more people were using mobile for everything banking, shopping, communicating. He saw an opportunity to bring charitable giving into that space. The goal wasn't to build just another app. It was to make generosity accessible from wherever people were, and that principle location independence is one that shaped the product, the business model and how the company has grown. Givelify lets anyone donate in just a few taps. Whether you're sitting in a church service, at home watching a live stream, or halfway across the world, you can contribute instantly. That's the reality of modern generosity. It's no longer tied to physical place or moment. From a product standpoint, the platform is intentionally simple. The core donation experience is designed to take three taps. That simplicity makes it usable for a wide range of people, including those who aren't necessarily tech savvy. It also builds trust. When something works reliably and works every time people come back.
Speaker 1:Trust was one of the early hurdles GiveLify had to clear. They were asking people to move their giving online not just individuals, but entire congregations and nonprofit teams. For many, that was a significant change. It involved sensitive information, recurring donations and emotional commitments. To deal with that, givelify focused heavily on verification and security. To deal with that, givelify focused heavily on verification and security. Organizations that wanted to join the platform had to go through a thorough approval process. That process wasn't quick and some users described it as frustrating, but it was deliberate. It created confidence in the system. Alongside that, they built out strong security for transactions and made donation tracking transparent. People could see where their money was going and organisations could access clear reports.
Speaker 1:Another challenge was changing habits. In the non-profit world, particularly in faith-based settings, traditions run deep. For many churches, the physical act of giving during a service is part of the ritual. Shifting that to a phone or laptop isn't just a tech upgrade, it's a cultural shift. Givelify supported that change by making the experience familiar. The platform integrates with church management systems. It supports recurring donations, customisable campaigns and event-based fundraising. In other words, it didn't try to change what giving meant, just how it happened.
Speaker 1:Their business model is built around a flat transaction fee 2.9% plus 30 cents per donation. There are no monthly subscriptions, no tiered pricing. That means Givelify only earns when their users receive donations. It aligns the company's growth with the success of its clients. This model also lowers the barrier for smaller organizations. A church or nonprofit with a limited budget can use Givelify without upfront costs or contracts. That accessibility has been a key reason the platform's grown so widely has been a key reason the platform's grown so widely. They've also expanded their offering because there's now an analytics dashboard with AI insights into donor behavior, donor segmentation tools and real-time donation feeds for events. These aren't gimmicks. They're features designed to help organizations understand and grow their donor base.
Speaker 1:One of the most consistent pieces of feedback about Givelify is the quality of their customer service. Reviewers highlight quick response times, helpful answers and genuine engagement. That suggests Givelify has put real thought into how they hire and train their team. Even though we don't have detailed internal hiring data, that kind of feedback doesn't happen by accident. Detailed internal hiring data. That kind of feedback doesn't happen by accident. It's likely they've prioritized empathy, clarity and communication skills in their remote hires, especially given that they serve organizations with varying levels of tech experience.
Speaker 1:The company has also made some strategic marketing moves. First, they've leaned heavily on user experience. With a 4.9 out of 5 star rating and over 100,000 app reviews, the product itself drives word of mouth. Second, givelify has been intentional about community. Their 2021 relaunch focused on celebrating what they called the world's most generous digital giving community. They positioned the platform as more than a tool. It became a gathering place for like-minded givers. Third, they've served demographics that often go underserved, particularly Black, latino and rural communities. These groups sometimes face barriers in accessing modern financial tools. Givelify made it a point to serve them directly.
Speaker 1:Another growth lever has been platform integrations. By partnering with software already used in churches like Shelby, next Power Church, servant Keeper and others, givelify became easier to adopt For many organizations. That integration removed the need to juggle systems. Then came the pandemic In-person services were paused and giving needed to happen online. Givelify was already in place, tested, secure and simple. As demand for digital giving surged, they were ready. In 2020, 81% of faith-based organizations saw increases in online donations. At the same time, 55% of donors increased or maintained their giving. That external shift accelerated Givelify's growth, but what mattered is they were prepared for it.
Speaker 1:Growth didn't stop with adoption. Givelify continued improving the platform. They launched new features like donor intelligence and engagement tools. These allowed organizations to move from reactive to proactive analyzing data, identifying trends and personalizing outreach. They've also reported some striking numbers. The average annual donor contribution on Givelify is nearly $4,000, about five times the national average. That speaks not just to the size of donations but to frequency and retention. It's a sign that the platform isn't just functional, it's sticky.
Speaker 1:Looking at the business holistically, what stands out is alignment. The revenue model aligns with customer success. The design aligns with user needs. The mission aligns with community values. That kind of internal consistency builds resilience.
Speaker 1:So what are the lessons here for founders, especially those building remotely? First, build trust early. If you're handling money, data or critical workflows, trust is your foundation. That might mean longer onboarding or more compliance. It's worth it. Second, simplify relentlessly. Giblify's three-tap donation isn't just a UX feature, it's a philosophy. Complexity kills momentum. Simplicity drives scale. Third, tie your revenue to your customers' outcomes. When you grow together, you're building something sustainable. Fourth, don't ignore niche markets. Often the biggest opportunities are in places others overlook. Serve them well and they become loyal long-term users. Finally, stay adaptable. Givelify didn't rely on one feature or one campaign. They kept evolving. That allowed them to meet the moment when external conditions changed. Wally built Givelify to connect people to their desire to do good and he did it by removing barriers. It's a remote first company in principle, in product and in practice is proof that location independence can drive real-world impact, not just convenience. That's it for this episode of the Remote Work Life podcast. If you found this useful, hit subscribe, leave a quick review or share it with someone building a remote-first business.