Bono Startup Revolutionizes Charity Donations for Modern Giving
▼ Summary
– Bono is a new donation platform co-founded by Dan Eblagon and Ron Levy, aiming to modernize and simplify charitable giving.
– The platform connects users with vetted charities based on their interests, offering monthly plans starting at $5 and automatically distributing funds.
– Bono recently launched with $1.6 million in pre-seed funding to improve user experience, including an AI-powered charity-matching chatbot.
– The platform provides weekly impact reports and a mobile app to keep donors informed about how their contributions are used.
– Bono partners with content creators to raise awareness, offering three payment models, and has expanded to include all 1.5 million U.S. charities.
Charitable giving just got a major upgrade with Bono, a new platform transforming how donors support causes they care about. Founded by Dan Eblagon and Ron Levy, this innovative startup simplifies philanthropy by automating donations and connecting users with rigorously vetted nonprofits. The platform—inspired by the Latin term “pro bono,” not the U2 frontman—launched this week alongside a $1.6 million pre-seed funding round aimed at enhancing its technology and outreach.
Bono eliminates the guesswork from charitable giving. Users select causes aligned with their values—whether environmental protection, social justice, or animal welfare—then set up recurring contributions starting at just $5 per month. The platform automatically distributes funds across multiple pre-approved organizations, removing the hassle of manual donations while maximizing impact.
The idea sparked when Eblagon received an impersonal charity solicitation call. “I couldn’t recall supporting that organization or understanding its real-world impact,” he explained. “That moment revealed how outdated traditional giving methods are.” Bono addresses this disconnect by providing weekly impact reports, showing donors tangible results like meals provided or counseling sessions funded through their contributions. A dedicated mobile app tracks annual giving summaries for added transparency.
What sets Bono apart is its AI-driven charity matching system, currently in testing and slated for a September release. This tool personalizes recommendations based on donor preferences, ensuring contributions align with individual passions. The platform also collaborates with content creators through three partnership models: upfront payments, performance-based commissions, or donated earnings—with most influencers reportedly choosing the altruistic third option.
Since its soft launch last December—initially aiding wildfire relief efforts—Bono has grown exponentially. It now includes all 1.5 million U.S.-registered nonprofits, though only those with high accountability ratings (8.5+ on Charity Navigator/GuideStar) and active community engagement make the cut. Monthly donations average $20, though some users give over $1,000.
Backed by Progression.Fund and angel investors from tech giants like Google and Microsoft, Bono is poised to redefine philanthropy. By merging automation, transparency, and influencer outreach, it’s creating a smarter, more connected way to give—one that resonates with today’s digitally savvy donors.
(Source: TechCrunch)
