Executive Summary
Justin Wheeler is the Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Funraise Inc, a software company specializing in digital fundraising solutions for nonprofits. Known as a social entrepreneur, Wheeler’s career is defined by leadership roles in high-impact nonprofit and technology sectors, notable organizational scaling, and innovation in digital fundraising strategies. He is based in Los Angeles, United States.
Professional Profile
Current Position
- Role: Co-Founder & CEO
- Company: Funraise Inc
- Location: Long Beach, California, United States
- Industry: Information Technology / Nonprofit Fundraising
- Team Size: 51–200 employees
Wheeler co-founded Funraise in 2015 to modernize online fundraising and donor management. Under his leadership, Funraise developed a comprehensive platform that includes donor CRM, donation forms, fundraising websites, peer-to-peer fundraising tools, recurring giving, wealth screenings, and event management functionality. The platform has enabled nonprofits to raise millions of dollars and is positioned as a leader in digital fundraising software.
Leadership and Board Roles
- Chairman of the Board, Liberty in North Korea (LiNK) (since 2018)
Maintains strategic oversight at LiNK, focusing on the rescue and resettlement of North Korean refugees.
- Forbes Contributor (since 2018)
Previous Experience
- Vice President & Co-re-Founder, Liberty in North Korea (2008–2016)
Led LiNK’s scaling efforts, growing the organization from 5 to 21 employees by 2014, and developed expertise in grassroots fundraising, student mobilization, and online engagement. Under his direction, LiNK raised over $5 million since 2009.
- Founder & CEO, The Option
Launched The Option, a nonprofit raising awareness about North Korean issues; merged with LiNK in 2008.
- Early Team Member, Invisible Children Inc. (2005+)
Key grassroots organizer and co-founder of scholarship programs for students in Uganda. Supported tour programs, which helped the organization raise over $50 million in its first 8 years.
Education
- Bachelor of Arts in Intercultural Studies
Institution: Biola University
Activities included work as a Resident Assistant, highlighting early engagement in leadership and community development.
Thought Leadership & Public Presence
- Content Contributor & Speaker
Frequently shares executive insights on nonprofit fundraising, donor retention, digital fundraising trends, and sector analysis through articles and webinars hosted by Funraise.
- Recent articles include topics such as "Why fundraising is recession-proof" and "Fundraising Trends from 25 Million Gifts".
- Active Community Engagement
Appears as a speaker at sector events and participates in podcasts focused on nonprofit technology and activism (e.g., Nonstop Nonprofit).
- Social Media Presence:
- LinkedIn: [linkedin.com/in/wheelerjustin](http://www.linkedin.com/in/wheelerjustin)
- X (Twitter): [@justinbobbyw](https://x.com/justinbobbyw?lang=en)
Demonstrates public advocacy for philanthropy, nonprofit best practices, and fundraising innovation.
Funraise: Company Overview
- Core Offering:
Digital fundraising ecosystem built to enhance nonprofit operational efficiency and donor engagement through automation, intelligence tools, and user-friendly digital assets.
- Key Platform Features:
- Donor CRM, donation forms/pages
- Automated emails, donation tasks
- Wealth screenings, fundraising intelligence
- Peer-to-peer fundraising, recurring giving, events & ticketing
- Headquarters: Long Beach, California, United States
- Market Position: Recognized for driving modernization in nonprofit fundraising and donor management.
- Sample Leadership:
- Angelina Pavone (Director of Customer Success)
- Erin Booker (Head of Content)
- Jenny Flack, MBA (Chief Revenue Officer)
- Jason Swenski (Founder, Chief Technology Officer)
- Tony Sasso (Founder, Chief Product Officer)
- Lionel Etrillard (Chief Financial Officer)
Background & Notable Achievements
- Entrepreneurial Track Record:
Instrumental in launching and scaling multi-million dollar nonprofit organizations, with significant success in both strategic management and fundraising innovation.
- Cross-Sector Impact:
Deep understanding of nonprofit sector needs from both practitioner and technology solution perspectives.
- Recognition:
Maintains a robust professional network (500+ LinkedIn connections), with established credibility as a contributor to sector publications and industry convenings.
Relevant Insights
Justin Wheeler’s combination of executive experience, nonprofit sector insight, and technology leadership positions him as a well-informed decision maker open to collaborations that advance fundraising modernization, donor data intelligence, and nonprofit tech innovation. His organization’s sustained growth and industry reputation suggest a strong appetite for solutions that increase operational efficiency, donor engagement, and fundraising ROI.
Key Links for Further Reference:
- [Funraise Author Profile](https://www.funraise.org/author/justin-wheeler)
- [Funraise Org Chart](https://theorg.com/org/funraise/org-chart/justin-wheeler)
- [Praxis Profile](https://www.praxislabs.org/people/justin-wheeler)
- [LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/in/wheelerjustin)
