Direct Technology Innovations

FrontStream operates as a provider of a comprehensive digital fundraising platform, serving nonprofit organizations and socially responsible corporations. The company was established in 2007 and has pursued an aggressive growth strategy centered on strategic acquisitions to build an all-in-one suite of fundraising tools.

A key milestone in its history was the May 2008 acquisition of Direct Technology Innovations (DTI), a firm founded in 2001 that specialized in payment technology for sectors like quick-service restaurants and ground transportation. Following the acquisition, DTI was rebranded as FrontStream Payments in 2010, integrating its payment processing capabilities into the broader FrontStream ecosystem. Over the years, FrontStream has expanded its portfolio by acquiring several other companies, including BiddingForGood, Artez Interactive, TRUiST, and FirstGiving, to enhance its platform's functionality. In May 2018, the company itself was acquired by Marlin Equity Partners, a global investment firm.

The business model is centered on providing a vertically integrated platform, Panorama, which enables clients to manage a wide array of fundraising activities. This includes peer-to-peer campaigns, online auctions, event management, and corporate giving programs. Revenue is generated through its suite of software solutions and secure payment processing services, which handle billions of dollars in transactions annually. FrontStream serves a diverse client base, from small non-profits and schools to large enterprises, providing tools for donor management, employee engagement, and payment processing. The platform is PCI Level 1 compliant, ensuring a high level of security for processing donations and payments.

The flagship product, Panorama, is an all-in-one platform designed to let organizations plan, promote, and process fundraising events. It features a drag-and-drop interface for creating branded donation pages, event sites, and mobile bidding pages. Key functionalities include tools for online auctions, which leverage the BiddingForGood community of over a million bidders; peer-to-peer event management for walks, runs, and virtual activities; and features for creating ongoing donation campaigns. The platform also supports corporate philanthropy through workplace giving, volunteer management, and gift-matching programs. In 2024, Matt Murphy, who joined as CFO in 2021 with a background in investment banking at firms like Goldman Sachs, was promoted to CEO.

Keywords: digital fundraising, nonprofit software, corporate philanthropy, payment processing, peer-to-peer fundraising, online auctions, donor management, fundraising platform, event fundraising, workplace giving, Panorama platform, BiddingForGood, secure payments, donation processing, employee engagement, nonprofit CRM, virtual fundraising, mobile bidding, corporate social responsibility, charity events