Today we’d like to introduce you to Byron Brewer.
Hi Byron, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I started in the fundraising space in 2009 while in Atlanta, Georgia. I met the founder of an online fundraising company at a Athletic Directors convention in 2010 while selling coupon books and cookie dough. He created an online fundraising platform and in 2011 I joined their company after an investor bought out one of the 2 original founders.
In 2013 I moved to Charlotte, NC and started the company OnlineDonations with a blank check from a friend. Based out of Charleston, SC we just celebrated our 12 year anniversary in March 2026. Winner the the ABCA “Best of Show” award back in 2016, our company has disrupted the fundraising industry. We have helped clients in all 50 states, Guam, and Germany raise needed funds for school teams and various groups.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Having boot strapped the company, the journey has been an adventure and an experience. The journey began going to Startup competitions across the US to growing our company coast to coast along the way. You love technology when it works, and bang your head when it doesn’t. Fortunately my business partner Terry Brooks has been there every step of the way and his ability to handle the back office duties and allow me to focus as the National Sales Director has enabled us to be where we are today.
Covid was definitely a challenge, when schools don’t have sports, they don’t need to fundraise. They say that “imitation is the best form of flattery”. Terry and I have an inside joke that he should be paid royalties from all the companies that have copied his original idea and the terminology that we have used since day 1. Every time I hear the work “online donation” I think of the conversation that we had in 2013 and how I picked the name. Keep it simple, when people ask “what do we do”, we can simply reply–“what do you think we do?” Overall the experience has helped so many people with their fundraising needs and we both are grateful for being able to do that and do it the way we want.
We’ve been impressed with OnlineDonations, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We developed an online fundraising platform for school teams and groups to raise needed funds. We replaced the old school “friends and family” donation letter with a custom OnlineDonations campaign. Instead of players sending out a letter with a self addressed envelope to friends and family asking to put a check in the mail, they now use our platform. Each athlete has a pre-designed personal OnlineDonations fundraising page with their own personal goal. The athletes can text, email, share via social media, and have a custom personal QR for friends and family to donate. Donors can donate any amount, they can support via credit card, check, apple pay, and google pay, and our platform does everything. Automatically tracks donations by athlete, issues personalized thank you and tax-deductible receipts, and even sends automatic reminders. Our platform also allows the group leader to track all players in the campaign in real time, total funds raised, and share the “Group page” via a group website, group social media, custom QR code, or text for donations to the entire “Group” or a specific player.
Our custom campaigns and the platform we created is definitely what separates us from others. No better feeling than working with a new client that switches to our OnlineDonations platform and the positive feedback we get. Makes it feel as all the hours we spent over the years have been well spent. One of the other main factors that sets us apart is that as a company we will never ask a donor to tip after they make an donation to an athlete. While some companies have newly entered the market and focus solely on having the donors support the operational costs with fees and tips, I would never have a “potluck” wedding shower and ask an invited guest to give me a gift and also ask them supply the food for the event.
Winning the American Baseball Coaches Association “Best in Show” award in 2016 was an early highlight that to this day means a lot. Also the fact the the college teams that we work with and the success stories that we have vs their advancement office has also been something that gives the company a feeling of accomplishment .
As far as our brand and offerings, we take pride in the saying that “Good begets Good”. Terry said that 12 years ago and we have never told a group no. We have spun the company off with other focused themes–www.LiftaThon.com and www.RaffleRaisers.com are 2 of the websites that are “Powered by OnlineDonations” and www.GoFundUs.us is another.
I always tell group leaders that there are 3 ways in the USA to legally raise needed funds. #1. You can sell things. #2. You can earn it. #3. You can ask for it. We are the ask for it option.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Do what you say you are going to do and everything will work out. I have learned the value of relationships and how important they are to not only the business aspect of things, but also from a personal aspect.
Pricing:
- There is no setup cost to plan an OnlineDonations campaign and groups always keep 90%.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.onlinedonations.us
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onlinedonations_fundraising/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/onlinedonations.allin
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/65345696/admin/feed/posts/
- Twitter: https://x.com/OnlDonations
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@OnlineDonations_US
- Other: https://www.liftathon.com
