Tiltify: Celebrating 10 Years of Innovation & Our Next Big Feature

I can hardly believe it’s been a decade since we launched Tiltify. Reflecting on this journey, I’m reminded of the original vision that sparked this platform: to revolutionize how people engage with charitable giving and to update antiquated fundraising practices that often left younger, tech-savvy individuals out of the conversation.

Where It All Began

When we started Tiltify, our mission was clear. First, we wanted to make charitable giving accessible to everyone, especially to those who hadn’t traditionally been involved in fundraising efforts. We saw a unique opportunity in platforms like Twitch and YouTube, where creators had built passionate communities. These were untapped opportunities for fundraising, and we wanted to bridge that gap.

Secondly, we aimed to modernize how charities approached fundraising. Many of these organizations had relied on traditional methods that catered primarily to an older demographic. But with the rise of social media, we recognized that communication was evolving rapidly, and fundraising needed to follow suit. Our goal was to make fundraising more interactive—a conversation rather than just a transaction.

At the time, the idea of a telethon was something reserved for television, requiring substantial budgets and planning. We envisioned something different: what if everyone could have their own telethon? What if fundraising became a personal, community-driven effort that didn’t require a massive production but could still achieve incredible results?

The Ups and Downs

Like any startup, our journey wasn’t without its challenges. From technical hurdles to market uncertainties, there were moments when the road ahead seemed daunting. Yet, every challenge was an opportunity to learn and grow. We faced doubts about whether people would embrace a new way of fundraising. Would creators want to involve their communities in charity work? Would donors respond to more interactive and engaging methods?

The answer, as it turned out, was a resounding yes. The communities that rallied around Tiltify exceeded our expectations in every way making Tiltify’s per fundraising campaign average of $1265 about triple the standard amount raised on the traditional fundraising sites charities use. The passion and commitment of the community is the backbone of our success.

There were also times when we had to make tough decisions about where to focus our efforts. Prioritizing the right areas of expansion was critical, and we didn’t always get it right on the first try. But every misstep was a stepping stone toward refining our vision and improving our platform.

Betting on the Community

What has always set Tiltify apart is the community. We bet on the idea that creators and their communities would not only participate in fundraising but that they would excel at it and ultimately, we spent the majority of our time and development on community driven features. The interactive features we developed—like rewards, polls, and donation matches—weren’t just add-ons; they became core elements that helped communities connect with their causes in meaningful ways.

The results speak for themselves. Tiltify consistently shows higher fundraising averages than any other major charity platform in the industry. This success isn’t just about technology; it’s about people. It’s about the excitement of reaching goals, the shared joy of making a difference, and the powerful connections forged through giving. Tiltify is now the home of hundreds of thousands of fundraisers closing in on half a billion raised. Unbelievable!

Navigating Growth and Expansion

With success comes the challenge of growth. Over the past decade, we’ve had countless requests for new features and expansions. As a small team, our resources have always been limited, and we’ve had to be strategic about where to focus our efforts. Each decision was made with one question in mind: what will have the most impact?

As we look to the future, we’re excited to announce the most significant change in Tiltify’s history. Starting next month, we will expand our platform’s capabilities beyond traditional charitable fundraising. We’ve seen countless posts from our community members about personal needs—whether it’s help with medical bills, housing, therapy, or other critical expenses. These are needs that aren’t always addressed by existing charities, but they are no less important.