Member Article

Charity tech firm Givergy looks abroad after acquiring fundraising rival

Surrey-based fundraising technology company Givergy has acquired the fundraising arm of Lumi Technologies, its former competitor.

The deal will see Lumi Fundraiser become part of Givergy, including five existing Lumi staff in Australia, which the firm will use as a platform to develop its international presence.

The charity tech firm was founded in 2009 and helps charities fundraise through its online platform which hosts online charities and auctions, counting the likes of War Child, British Heart Foundation and Virgin Unite as former partners.

Commenting on the acquisition, Givergy’s Global Director of Business Development, Jon Douglas said: “Lumi has been in the event tech market for over a decade and has built a great reputation and client base during that time.

“We were initially approached by them to acquire their fundraising arm in November 2015 and following several months of discussion we are delighted to have struck a deal which makes total sense for both firms.”

Looking ahead to the global possibilities opened up by the deal, Jon explained how the acquisition will also open up access to some of Lumi’s international client base in Hong Kong, Europe and America.

He added: “Australia alone is the beginning of a new territory for us and a huge amount of work will go into developing these fantastic existing relationships as well as continuing to build new ones in the US, Hong Kong and Australia.”

In selling off their fundraising arm, Lumi hopes to realign its focus away from charity technology towards more corporate business areas.

Richard Taylor, Chief Executive Officer of Lumi, explained the firm’s thinking: “This move reaffirms our strategic decision to exit the charity fundraising part of our business and to concentrate on our four core business areas.

“We are working closely with Givergy to manage existing contractual obligations and to transfer existing and previous client relationships as smoothly as possible.

“We have been extremely impressed with Givergy’s overall setup and attitude and have no doubt that they will continue to succeed in this market as they drive their international growth.”