Jake Wood - Founder of Groundswell and Team Rubicon

----------------------------------------

 Disruptors for GOOD is powered by PIF Advisory — a global services firm empowering startups and enterprises with expert guidance, tailored solutions, and measurable results. Whether you’re launching your first venture or scaling globally, PIF Advisory delivers full-cycle support across every core function of your business:

• Financial Management: Full-cycle bookkeeping, accounting, and tax compliance.
• Growth & Marketing: Data-driven strategies to maximize your reach and revenue.
• Investor Readiness: Preparing you for capital raises with pitch decks, financial models, and due diligence support.
• HR & Administration: Streamlined hiring, payroll, and benefits management.
• Technology & Security: Expert IT support, platform integration, and cybersecurity.

As a sister company to PIF Capital Management, they also offer clients direct insights into venture capital and access to a global investor network—ranging from individuals to sovereign wealth funds.

👉 Learn more or schedule a discovery call at pifadvisory.com

In episode 192 of the Disruptors for GOOD podcast, I speak with Jake Wood, Founder and CEO of Groundswell, on disrupting corporate philanthropy and workplace giving through Donor Advised Funds.

Jake Wood is a former U.S. Marine and the founder and CEO of Groundswell, a venture-backed software company focused on democratizing philanthropy by combining fintech, benefits tech, and charity. Prior to Groundswell, Wood was the founder and CEO of Team Rubicon, a renowned disaster response organization. Under his leadership, Team Rubicon grew to become one of America's leading nonprofits, recruiting over 150,000 volunteers and responded to nearly 1,000 disasters and humanitarian crises

Wood also played a significant role in raising approximately $300 million for Team Rubicon through various means, including online donor acquisition, family foundations, and corporate partnerships. The organization scaled to 200 full-time employees across four offices and operated a $55 million P&L. Team Rubicon gained recognition for its corporate culture and technological innovation through collaborations with companies like Microsoft, Twilio, and Palantir.

Furthermore, his memoir, "Once A Warrior," achieved best-seller status on Amazon and received praise from Tom Brokaw.

About Groundswell

Workplace giving programs are an excellent way for companies to empower employees to make a positive impact on causes they care about. However, managing these programs efficiently can be time-consuming and challenging. That's where Groundswell comes in. With its user-friendly platform, Groundswell simplifies donation matching, gifting, and volunteering programs, allowing employees to effortlessly contribute to the causes that matter most to them.

Spotlighting impact startups, brands, and founders.

We feature social impact startups, conscious brands, and visionary founders shaping the future of business. Join thousands—subscribe to our weekly newsletter for exclusive interviews, the latest funding rounds, digital tool reviews, and curated products fueling the impact economy.

To learn more, please visit causeartist.com