Our History
The Journey to a New Material World
The Journey to a New Material World
Get Access ➞
2017
The Backstory
The Backstory
It all started with a question about a rubbery chicken dinner…
For years, Stephen Ready had been contemplating innovative ways to weave charity into the fabric of everyday life. He admired the work of USA for Africa, Project (RED), and TOMS, but believed there was more that could be done. At the same time, Dick Hillenbrand, a Major Donor and Impact Investor through his involvement with various Hillenbrand family foundations and Hillenbrand Capital Partners, was seeking to disrupt the status quo. He wanted to support and build a venture that could deliver not just financial returns, but also create significant societal impact—something far more powerful than traditional fundraisers or annual galas.
The synergy between their visions was undeniable. Stephen's idea was simple yet revolutionary: by integrating commerce with philanthropy as a continuous platform rather than a one-off campaign, they could transform the entire landscape of charitable giving. Together, they set out to create something that would change the way people think about doing good.
It all started with a question about a rubbery chicken dinner…
For years, Stephen Ready had been contemplating innovative ways to weave charity into the fabric of everyday life. He admired the work of USA for Africa, Project (RED), and TOMS, but believed there was more that could be done. At the same time, Dick Hillenbrand, a Major Donor and Impact Investor through his involvement with various Hillenbrand family foundations and Hillenbrand Capital Partners, was seeking to disrupt the status quo. He wanted to support and build a venture that could deliver not just financial returns, but also create significant societal impact—something far more powerful than traditional fundraisers or annual galas.
The synergy between their visions was undeniable. Stephen's idea was simple yet revolutionary: by integrating commerce with philanthropy as a continuous platform rather than a one-off campaign, they could transform the entire landscape of charitable giving. Together, they set out to create something that would change the way people think about doing good.
2018
The Groundwork
The Groundwork
It started with a simple white Inspired Card that celebrities were low-key flashing. Why a card? Well, Inspired didn’t build “just any other card” - that wouldn’t have gotten such notable people so excited. But as it turned out, if that card could make everyday giving simple, fun, frictionless and free, people noticed! And lucky for us this new “must-have” card attracted the likes of Jennifer Lawrence, Adam DeVine, Chris Martin and lots of other celebrities as members. The Inspired Card launched, and put simply, allowed anyone to spark free donations for charitable causes through their everyday spending.
It started with a simple white Inspired Card that celebrities were low-key flashing. Why a card? Well, Inspired didn’t build “just any other card” - that wouldn’t have gotten such notable people so excited. But as it turned out, if that card could make everyday giving simple, fun, frictionless and free, people noticed! And lucky for us this new “must-have” card attracted the likes of Jennifer Lawrence, Adam DeVine, Chris Martin and lots of other celebrities as members. The Inspired Card launched, and put simply, allowed anyone to spark free donations for charitable causes through their everyday spending.
2019
Activating an Inspired Community
Activating an Inspired Community
Turns out Inspired was a gateway drug to philanthropy. As soon as you linked up your card, you were a philanthropist! - a term which most young people unfortunately haven’t had the privilege of identifying with. Philanthropy, for the most part, has only been accessible to the wealthy and those with a surplus of money or time. With Inspired, however, philanthropy started undergoing a revolution. Inspired was democratizing philanthropy and empowering everyone, with or without wealth, to participate.
Turns out Inspired was a gateway drug to philanthropy. As soon as you linked up your card, you were a philanthropist! - a term which most young people unfortunately haven’t had the privilege of identifying with. Philanthropy, for the most part, has only been accessible to the wealthy and those with a surplus of money or time. With Inspired, however, philanthropy started undergoing a revolution. Inspired was democratizing philanthropy and empowering everyone, with or without wealth, to participate.
2020
Transforming Charity + Community Relationships
Transforming Charity + Community Relationships
From the beginning, Inspired was thinking beyond “free donations” and was focused on breaking down all of the barriers that keep young people from supporting charities. Besides lack of funds and solicitation fatigue, there was a huge lack of understanding regarding what a charity does. On top of that, it’s often difficult for any individual to truly grasp the personal impact they can have. Inspired began focusing effort on helping to dismantle skepticism, in part by making the entire giving experience completely free, and then by helping individuals understand the impact they’ve had - all through the eyes of the people they’ve helped, with photos, thank you notes, and other personalized content.
From the beginning, Inspired was thinking beyond “free donations” and was focused on breaking down all of the barriers that keep young people from supporting charities. Besides lack of funds and solicitation fatigue, there was a huge lack of understanding regarding what a charity does. On top of that, it’s often difficult for any individual to truly grasp the personal impact they can have. Inspired began focusing effort on helping to dismantle skepticism, in part by making the entire giving experience completely free, and then by helping individuals understand the impact they’ve had - all through the eyes of the people they’ve helped, with photos, thank you notes, and other personalized content.
2021
Expanding Beyond the Swipe
Expanding Beyond the Swipe
Soon Inspired’s model expanded beyond the consumer and charity value proposition to one that also now encompassed brands - with a solution that is both elegantly simple yet profoundly effective. Inspired starts facilitating partnerships between brands and charities, giving consumers the opportunity to unlock donations through their everyday purchases with the brands they love. This not only empowers individuals to make a difference with minimal effort but also enables companies to deepen their social impact and connect with customers on a more meaningful level.
Soon Inspired’s model expanded beyond the consumer and charity value proposition to one that also now encompassed brands - with a solution that is both elegantly simple yet profoundly effective. Inspired starts facilitating partnerships between brands and charities, giving consumers the opportunity to unlock donations through their everyday purchases with the brands they love. This not only empowers individuals to make a difference with minimal effort but also enables companies to deepen their social impact and connect with customers on a more meaningful level.
2023
Transforming Charity & Brand Relationships
Transforming Charity & Brand Relationships
Rather than requiring new funding sources or radical business model changes, Inspired cleverly matches major donors with brands looking to make a difference. Brands simply bring the marketing muscle to reach and inspire millions of consumers, daily. Charities continue to do the incredible work on-the-ground to change lives, while simultaneously developing powerful stories that can be harnessed to inspire and continuously engage consumers and future donors. And Inspired brings it all together in one simple, seamless solution, making these collaborations free & beneficial for everyone — a win-win-win-win.
Rather than requiring new funding sources or radical business model changes, Inspired cleverly matches major donors with brands looking to make a difference. Brands simply bring the marketing muscle to reach and inspire millions of consumers, daily. Charities continue to do the incredible work on-the-ground to change lives, while simultaneously developing powerful stories that can be harnessed to inspire and continuously engage consumers and future donors. And Inspired brings it all together in one simple, seamless solution, making these collaborations free & beneficial for everyone — a win-win-win-win.
An Inspired Community Event
An Inspired Community Event
A CELEBRATION OF HEALTH, FITNESS & RECOVERY WITH NEXTSTEP
A CELEBRATION OF HEALTH, FITNESS & RECOVERY WITH NEXTSTEP
MANHATTAN BEACH, CA • Invite Only
MANHATTAN BEACH, CA • Invite Only
Our mission is to transform EVERY purchase into a meaningful & impactful ripple effect for social good, connecting an inspired community of brands, charities, donors and consumers as a united force for positive change.
Thanks to the Inspired Foundation and our major donor partners, customers can unlock donations to great causes, at no cost!
Our mission is to transform EVERY purchase into a meaningful & impactful ripple effect for social good, connecting an inspired community of brands, charities, donors and consumers as a united force for positive change.
Thanks to the Inspired Foundation and our major donor partners, customers can unlock donations to great causes, at no cost!
Our mission is to transform EVERY purchase into a meaningful & impactful ripple effect for social good, connecting an inspired community of brands, charities, donors and consumers as a united force for positive change.
Thanks to the Inspired Foundation and our major donor partners, customers can unlock donations to great causes, at no cost!