Max Friedman is the Co-Founder and CEO of Givebutter, an all-in-one nonprofit fundraising and CRM platform that has powered nearly $2 billion in donations. Having started the company in his college dorm room, Max's journey highlights the blend of self-taught technical skills and a mission-driven approach to make online giving fun, social, and transparent.

In this episode, you’ll learn how Givebutter's unique branding and commitment to transparency have contributed to its success and how Max's leadership strategies, especially in a remote work environment, emphasize values and culture to drive impact and growth.

Additionally, Max shares insightful advice on engaging the next generation of donors, adapting nonprofits to modern fundraising techniques, and the importance of building a strong team culture even when remote. Tune in to discover how Givebutter is revolutionizing the fundraising landscape and inspiring change across the nonprofit sector.

Takeaways:

• Make Transparency Your Operating System: Influence grows when people know exactly what you stand for. Share your mission, pricing, roadmap, and even internal handbooks openly so your team and customers always understand how decisions are made.
• Build Culture Through Clarity, Especially Remotely: A strong culture doesn’t require four walls. Define your mission, vision, values, and guidelines in a comprehensive handbook and use it as the foundation for how your entire team works and grows together.
• Activate Micro-Influencers Through Peer-to-Peer Engagement: Your supporters are your most powerful ambassadors. Equip them with simple, shareable fundraising tools so they can champion your mission within their own communities.
• Close the Loop With a Transparent Feedback System: Influence is reinforced when people feel heard. Collect customer feedback, make it visible, act on it, and notify users when their ideas lead to real improvements.
• Lead Remote Teams With Flexibility and Trust: Remote work thrives when autonomy is respected. Set clear expectations, encourage flexible schedules, and support employees in shaping routines that help them perform at their best.
• Design Digital Spaces That Spark Human Connection: Recreate the energy of an in-person culture through online channels dedicated to shared interests. Pair this with recurring open social sessions to build authentic connections across your team.
• Strengthen Donor Relationships With Personal Moments: A fast, heartfelt “thank you” goes further than any automated message. Make prompt, personal gratitude part of your fundraising rhythm to deepen relationships and increase repeat giving.

Quote of the Show:

• “Break through the noise and get the next generation of modern changemakers involved.”

Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxfriedman1
• Givebutter Website: https://givebutter.com

Shout Outs:

• Forbes: https://www.forbes.com
• The George Washington University: https://www.gwu.edu
• Children's Miracle Network Hospitals: https://childrensmiraclenetworkhospitals.org
• The Nonprofit Marketing Summit: https://www.nonprofitmarketingsummit.org
• Bessemer Venture Partners (BVP) Forge: https://www.bvp.com
• Zilker Metropolitan Park: https://www.austintexas.gov/department/zilker-metropolitan-park
• The New England Patriots: https://www.patriots.com