Lift +
Role /
CEO
Skills /
User Interviews
Market Research
MVP creation (Figma)
Timeline /
September 2024- Now
Location /
Evanston, IL
Team /
Lucy Gallun
CEO
Skills /
User Interviews
Market Research
MVP creation (Figma)
Timeline /
September 2024- Now
Location /
Evanston, IL
Team /
Lucy Gallun
High school and college students face difficulty finding volunteer opportunities that align with their passions, skills, and schedules. At the same time, nonprofits struggle to recruit and retain long-term volunteers due to reliance on one-time participants, leading to inefficiencies.
These challenges leave both students and nonprofits overwhelmed and unengaged.
- Recruitment: Volunteers want a platform that feels like a friend recommending opportunities, going beyond generic listings.
- Retention: Volunteers need to feel a level of emotional responsibility to the work they are doing, and recieve feedback on the impact they’re making from the nonprofits.
Many existing platforms like VolunteerMatch and AmeriCorps offer generic lists of opportunities but fail to deliver personalized, emotionally engaging experiences. Lift+ differentiates itself through tailored volunteer matching, social features, trust-building tools for nonprofits, and a seamless, intuitive user interface.
LiftUp is tapping into a massive market, with over 63 million Americans volunteering in 2023. By creating a solution that delivers personalized, impactful volunteer experiences, we aim to reshape how people engage with their communities
Next Steps and Takeaways:
Building a two-fold platform means validating the needs of both volunteers and nonprofits. Through MVP testing, I’ve learned the importance of balancing convenience, impact, and community. LiftUp is currently in testing, with plans for market launch, scaling, and further user acquisition. If you have ideas or want to get involved, reach out—we’d love to hear from you as we grow.
Want to learn more? View my pitchdeck below