Network for Good

About Network for Good

Network for Good has a complex history, operating as both a nonprofit 501(c)(3) donor-advised fund (DAF) and a for-profit software company. It was originally founded in 2001 as a collaborative nonprofit project by AOL, Cisco Systems, and Yahoo! to facilitate online charitable giving. The goal was to make donating to charities as seamless as online shopping. Over the years, it grew significantly, acquiring other platforms like Groundspring in 2005 and the ePhilanthropy Foundation in 2008. A notable milestone was a 2007 collaboration with actor Kevin Bacon to launch SixDegrees.org.

In 2013, the organization underwent a structural change, spinning out a for-profit, Certified B Corporation subsidiary to handle its fundraising software services, while the original entity continued as a nonprofit DAF. The for-profit software arm provided small to medium-sized nonprofits with tools for online fundraising, donor management, email marketing, and events management. This business unit generated revenue through subscription fees and transaction processing fees of 3-5% on donations. The company also offered personal coaching and a wealth of educational resources like webinars and e-books to help nonprofits improve their fundraising effectiveness.

A major turning point occurred on January 4, 2022, when the for-profit software business of Network for Good was acquired and merged with CyberGrants, EveryAction, and Social Solutions under the new brand, Bonterra, backed by Apax Partners LLP. The original 501(c)(3) donor-advised fund was not part of this acquisition and continues to operate independently, recently rebranding to "For Good" in May 2025 to reduce confusion. This DAF remains a significant force in philanthropy, having disbursed over $5.5 billion to more than 450,000 nonprofits since its inception by partnering with major brands like Google, Facebook, and Patagonia to power their charitable giving initiatives.