But there’s a problem: A good chunk of those donations is spent on processing and administration fees instead of on advancing the causes people care about. Charityvest is seeking to change that. This social venture based in Atlanta’s Industrious Ponce City Market location is making giving simple, secure, and effective by enabling people to donate cash or stock to the organizations that matter to them without losing a percentage to hidden fees.
We sat down with Charityvest cofounder and COO Ashby Foltz to learn more about the company. Plus: Why Foltz and his team love coming into the office and some of the best advice he’s ever received.
Tell us about your company.
Charityvest lets anyone create a personal charitable foundation and donate cash, stocks, ETFs, and cryptocurrency to more than 1.4 million charities. We also power automated charitable matching programs for businesses and their employees.
What makes you excited to come to work each day?
Industrious Ponce City Market is a really inspiring commercial space, with massive industrial windows revealing the Midtown and Buckhead skylines and the Atlanta Beltline below.
But mostly: None of us have whiteboards at home, and we’re all whiteboard people, so it’s been great to get our hands on some Expo [dry erase] markers and tear up the glass walls of the office.
Why do you love being in Atlanta?
Atlanta has the highest tree density per capital of any major American city; it really is an urban forest. It also doesn’t take itself too seriously, and it has a pretty inspiring food scene.
What is some of the best advice you have ever received?
More than what you said or did, people will remember how you made them feel — so if you can’t be someone who makes others feel appreciated and respected, not much else matters.