Today we’d like to introduce you to Shane O’Rourke.
Hi Shane, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Lift Up’s journey began with $5. When I was on a trip in Haiti, I met a boy who got kicked out of school because he didn’t have a pair of shoes. School was the place that was keeping him safe and fed. We bought him a $5 pair of shoes – he was back in school the next day and getting hot meals. I got home to Minnesota and realized no one knew about this kid and his story.
I thought, “What if there was a way for more people to know about this kid? What if there was a way for people to give to sustainable and tangible needs around world and see the impact? What if everything they gave went to that specific need and an organization kept no money?” An idea was planted in my heart and I decided to make all this a reality in 2018. Enter Lift Up – a giving platform with projects from all over the world that have been vetted and certified that make a real sustainable and tangible impact in people’s lives. And we give 100% away.
Every dollar is passed through—100%—because we believe every dollar makes a difference. We also show the impact clearly through videos, photos, and the exact number of people helped. Lift Up is where people go to make their generosity matter.
Then, we saw a need locally that we couldn’t meet. How could we care for at-risk families and individuals in a more personal way? We created another platform – Lift Up Local in 2024 – providing essentials to address immediate needs, empowering individuals and communities. For the donors, unconditional generosity is a way to show genuine, tangible love to others.
Lift Up Local is a user-friendly, innovative philanthropic platform dedicated to making a dynamic impact right in your community. The platform allows you to find real people in need within your own community, with 100% of donations directly impacting people who need it most. Certified Referral Partners identify and certify individuals or families in need and submit the request through our platform. Donors can explore the interactive map, pinpoint needs in their local area, and follow their passion to know where to contribute.
At its core, Lift Up exists to make giving easy, transparent, and personal. We connect people directly to vetted needs—locally and globally—and guarantee that 100% of every donation goes where it’s intended. We call our donors Lifters, because that’s what they do, they lift others up. And our monthly donors are called Heavy Lifters. It’s more than a name, it’s a movement. We’re building a community of generosity where people know their giving is making a real difference.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
We were told again and again that a 100% model wasn’t realistic. We still get told this. But we believed it was not only possible—it was necessary. From the beginning, we’ve remained unwavering in that commitment. That’s why our donors continue to trust us: they know every dollar they give goes straight to the need. No overhead. No redirection. Just impact.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m the founder of Lift Up, a nonprofit crowdfunding platform where generosity meets real impact.
Alongside Lift Up, I’ve also woven generosity into my work in real estate, insurance, and marketing—so that everyday transactions can power everyday miracles. But everything centers on one mission: Impact Made Easy.
I’m incredibly proud that Lift Up has never taken a cut from any donation. Every dollar goes directly to the need. That 100% model has been a cornerstone of trust and transparency—and it’s why so many people have joined us.
But beyond the numbers, I’m most proud of the community we’re building. Watching people step into the joy of giving, watching families rally together to meet needs, watching kids become Lifters—that’s the stuff that gives this work eternal value. We’re not just raising money. We’re raising hope, dignity, and faith in what’s possible when we care for one another.
Lift Up stands apart because we don’t just ask people to give—we invite them to connect directly with real needs that align with their heart. It’s generosity that’s clear, personal, and visible. We also integrate giving into everyday life. Through our partnerships in real estate, insurance, and marketing, people can become Lifters just by doing what they already do—buying a home, renewing a policy, or launching a brand. We’ve made impact practical, visible, and full of dignity for everyone involved.
How do you think about happiness?
I love people. What fills me with joy is watching other people light up when they realize they can make a difference for another person. Whether it’s a $5 donation or funding a full project, the joy of giving is contagious.
Lift Up creates space for that joy to flourish. People aren’t just giving to a cause—they’re giving through a platform that lets them see the faces and stories of those they’re helping. That human connection, that moment of transformation, is what makes this work so meaningful.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.liftup.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftup/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liftupcom
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/weliftup/posts/
