Bono App Revolutionizes Charitable Donations
Donating to charity just got easier with Bono, a new platform designed to modernize philanthropy. Founded by Dan Eblagon and Ron Levy, Bono simplifies giving with automated monthly donations starting at just $5.
The platform (named after "pro bono") connects users with vetted charities aligned with their chosen causes. These include areas like climate change, LGBTQ+ rights, animal welfare, and more. Users select their preferred causes and set a monthly donation amount. Bono then automatically distributes the funds across the selected charities.
Bono recently announced its official launch and a $1.6 million pre-seed funding round. This funding will further develop the platform, including an AI-powered chatbot to match donors with suitable charities. This feature, currently in pilot testing, is slated for public release by September.
Inspiration for a Modern Giving Experience
The idea for Bono stemmed from a frustrating experience with a charity telemarketer. Founder Dan Eblagon explained,
"I felt good that I had donated, but I didn't remember the charity or its impact. This inspired me to build a modern platform that disrupts traditional giving."
Bono keeps users engaged with weekly impact reports, detailing how their donations are making a difference. These reports quantify the impact, such as the number of meals provided or mental health sessions funded. A mobile app (available on iOS and Android) allows users to track their annual impact.
Partnering with Content Creators
Bono also partners with content creators to raise awareness, offering three compensation models:
- Flat-fee campaigns
- Affiliate-style revenue sharing
- Donated commissions, where creators donate their earnings back to the cause.
While some may see these arrangements as ethically ambiguous, Eblagon notes that most creators choose to donate their earnings. He added,
"It's not just about promoting a product; it's about supporting a cause they believe in."
Growth and Expansion
Since its soft launch in December to support victims of the Los Angeles wildfires, Bono has expanded significantly. It now supports all 1.5 million registered U.S. charities. The average donation is around $20 per month, with some donors contributing over $1,000 monthly.
All nonprofits on Bono are U.S.-registered and must meet strict standards, including high ratings on platforms like Charity Navigator and GuideStar, and a strong social media presence. The recent funding round was led by Progression.Fund, with participation from angel investors at companies like Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Intuit, and X/Twitter.
