In every industry I’ve worked in, the best ideas usually come from flipping something familiar on its head.
At Phobio, we did exactly that. We looked at something we already do incredibly well, powering trade-ins, and asked a simple question: What if this could do more than power upgrades? What if it could power impact?
That question became Phobio for Good, a way for nonprofits to unlock an entirely new kind of donation, powered by used devices.
Every nonprofit I know is stretched thin. Fundraising is hard. Donor fatigue is real. And resources are always tight. But most of us have something lying around, old phones, tablets, laptops, worth real money if you have the right engine behind you.
At Phobio, we built that engine, the tech and tools that power trade-in for millions of devices, and now we’re putting it to work for good.
It’s fundraising that doesn’t ask anyone to open their wallet, just their junk drawer.
The Opportunity That Has Me Thinking Bigger:
- In 2022, the world generated 62 million metric tons of e-waste, yet only 22.3% was formally collected and recycled (ITU).
- The gap isn’t just waste, it’s lost value. Value in materials, in opportunity, and in potential that could fuel new impact instead of piling up in landfills.
- On the nonprofit side, donor acquisition is getting harder. In 2025, fundraising experts warn that retention rates are slipping and traditional donation channels are under pressure (AFP).
There’s a huge disconnect: technology is advancing faster than we can handle the old stuff, and nonprofits are looking for new ways to fund their missions.
What I love about this idea is that it sits right at the intersection of sustainability, innovation, and generosity.
It’s not charity. It’s not optics. It’s business with purpose, and that’s where real impact happens.
That alignment, the kind where what’s good for people, good for the planet, and good for the bottom line all coexist, is where the best ideas live.
Every device has a story. And with Phobio for Good, that story doesn’t end when it’s traded in, it just changes chapters.
We live in an economy built on upgrades. Every year, new devices hit the shelves while old ones pile up in drawers. What if that cycle could become a sustainable feedback loop, where each upgrade fuels something meaningful?
That’s innovation with purpose.
For nonprofits, it’s a new kind of fundraising, powered by the tech people already have. For brands and retailers, it’s a statement: upgrading devices can also mean upgrading communities.
At Phobio, our favorite ideas start with a simple question. This one was: What if business could be a force for good?
Spoiler: it can.
Giving Tuesday is just around the corner, a moment built on generosity and creative ways to give.
If you lead or support a nonprofit, let’s talk about how Phobio for Good can turn unused tech into your next fundraising channel.
Because doing good shouldn’t be limited by what’s in someone’s wallet, it can start with what’s already in their hands.
