Just imagine a video call where the top management of a major tech company appears in fluffy unicorn suits. It seems impossible, like a joke. But it isn’t—it’s the moment Canadian business history changed forever. In December 2020, Benevity founder Bryan de Lottinville and President Kelly Schmitt used this method to announce a $1.1 billion deal to their employees.
Benevity didn’t just become a “unicorn” (a startup with a valuation over $1 billion). It proved to the world that social responsibility isn’t a charitable add-on to a business, but its most powerful engine. More on this from calgary-future.
The “Recovering Lawyer” and a Billion-Dollar Idea
Benevity’s story began in 2008 with a personal transformation. Bryan de Lottinville, who ironically calls himself a “recovering lawyer,” realized that traditional corporate philanthropy was outdated. It was boring, bureaucratic, and disconnected from the real interests of everyday workers.
Bryan de Lottinville proposed what was then a radical concept—the “democratization of good.” Instead of having company leadership decide once a year where to send a cheque, he decided to put that tool into the hands of every employee.
The key to success was a “hybrid purpose” strategy. Bryan refused to create a non-profit organization; instead, he built a powerful technology business. His logic was simple: if you want to change the world on a global scale, your model must be profitable, scalable, and efficient. Combining the drive for profit with a social mission allowed the company to attract the best engineers and investors, turning philanthropy into part of the DNA of modern corporate governance.
Technology Scaling Good
The question arises: how exactly did Benevity manage to attract 35% of Fortune 500 companies? The answer lies in the functionality of their Enterprise Impact Platform. It is not just a fundraising website, but a comprehensive ecosystem that automates three key areas.
- Donation and Grant Automation. The platform allows companies to instantly match employee contributions and direct funds to over 250,000 verified non-profits worldwide.
- Volunteer Management. Employees can find projects matching their skills and log volunteer hours, which the company can later convert into additional monetary grants.
- Behavioural Change. A module that encourages micro-actions: from reducing plastic use to combating unconscious bias in the workplace.
The company’s current client portfolio looks like a list of the world’s most influential brands: Apple, Google, Coca-Cola, Nike, and Microsoft. These giants choose Benevity because the platform provides what philanthropy previously lacked: transparency and measurability.
Impact statistics are equally impressive. In 2022 alone, over 14.3 million volunteer hours were recorded through the system. These aren’t just numbers—it’s billions of dollars going toward real help, and millions of loyal employees who feel their work has meaning that extends far beyond office tasks.
The Calgary Phenomenon: From Oil to Code
Benevity’s success served as a powerful signal to the rest of the world. Calgary is no longer just Canada’s “oil capital.” The company proved that a global “unicorn” dictating trends in Silicon Valley could be built in Alberta. This inspired the local ecosystem and stimulated the development of initiatives like DiscoverTechYYC—a career and innovation fair connecting dozens of young startups in fintech and clean tech.
Calgary has become a true talent magnet. Despite rapid growth, Benevity has remained loyal to its city. The company’s founder always emphasized that Calgary’s unique culture—a blend of pragmatism and a genuine desire to help—was the perfect soil for the “democratization of good” idea. The city’s tech sector is growing faster than any other, and Benevity’s success serves as the primary case study for investors looking for the “next big thing” outside traditional tech hubs.
Challenges on the Path to the Stars
Benevity has navigated through complex transformations, including leadership changes. Following Bryan de Lottinville, Kelly Schmitt took over as CEO, stabilizing the company during the pandemic. Christopher Maloof later took the reins, and in September 2025, Soraya Alexander, former executive at GoFundMe, became the new captain. Each leadership change represents a new stage of scaling and adaptation to global market demands.
The toughest trial came in January 2023. The company had to make the painful decision to cut 14% of its workforce (137 employees). As management explained, this was caused by a slowdown in demand after a period of overly rapid expansion. However, this sobering decision allowed Benevity to regroup, optimize costs, and focus on technological innovations that made it even more resilient to market fluctuations.
AI in the Service of Philanthropy
In 2025, Benevity took a decisive step into the future by appointing its first-ever Chief AI Officer, Ian Goldsmith. This appointment highlighted the company’s commitment to integrating artificial intelligence into the core of its platform. But another question arises: why is AI needed for philanthropy?
The answer lies in the hyper-personalization of social impact. Thanks to AI algorithms, the platform can now suggest specific volunteer projects or foundations to each employee based on their personal values, search history, or professional skills. This significantly boosts engagement. Instead of generic mailouts, an employee receives a proposal that truly resonates with them. AI also helps companies analyze vast amounts of donation data, identifying new social trends and allowing businesses to respond to global crises faster than ever before.
Transformation of Corporate Good: From Manual Management to Intelligent Ecosystems
| Function | Traditional Approach (Before Benevity) | Benevity Platform (Automation Era) | Future with AI | Real Impact Example |
| Charity Selection | Decisions made only by the CEO or HR department once a year. | Each employee chooses from 250,000+ non-profits independently. | AI suggests foundations based on employee hobbies and skills. | An employee who is a runner receives a suggestion to support a sports rehabilitation foundation. |
| Matching Gifts | Complex paper reporting; waiting months for confirmation. | Automatic bonus calculation from the company at the moment of donation. | AI optimizes matching funds for maximum reach. | The company instantly matches an employee’s donation to help flood victims. |
| Volunteering | Organization of “community clean-up days” that often don’t interest staff. | Ability to choose volunteer projects by location and type. | AI finds requests for specific professional skills (coding, design, law). | A marketer helps a local shelter develop a promotion strategy in their free time. |
| Analytics and Reports | Approximate figures in annual reports; hard to measure real effect. | Real-time data on hours volunteered and funds raised. | AI calculates long-term impact on society and brand. | A report shows that $1 invested in volunteering yielded $4 in social value. |
| Corporate Culture | Perceived as a “mandatory duty” from the top down. | Creates a sense of belonging and shared purpose. | AI helps prevent burnout through engagement. | Staff turnover decreases by 52% among active volunteer teams. |
In Calgary, Benevity is located at the following addresses.
Main Office: 611 Meredith Rd NE #700, Calgary, AB T2E 2W5.
Additional Address: 402 11 Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2G 0Y4.
Doing Good is the Future of Business
Benevity’s story is about more than financial success. It is proof that in today’s world, Fortune 500 companies can no longer ignore their impact on society. When Bryan de Lottinville put on that unicorn suit, he wasn’t just celebrating a billion-dollar valuation. He was celebrating the victory of an idea:
“Doing well by doing good”
In today’s world, when the platform processes hundreds of millions of dollars in donations during initiatives like GivingTuesday, it becomes clear: the democratization of good is no longer a trend; it is the new operating system for the global economy. Calgary got its unicorn, and the world got a technological platform that makes us all a little better.
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