Meet The Founder

I’ve always believed in the power of community, but never fully realized the impact it plays on one person’s life until I almost lost mine. On Father’s Day 2011, my world forever changed when I collapsed at my local gym and suffered a massive stroke. Just weeks earlier, I had successfully completed my first half marathon. In a matter of moments, I found myself fighting for my life, terrified about what would happen to my family, especially my four beautiful daughters.

The road to recovery was the most challenging experience of my life. And in that challenge, I watched in awe as my community surrounded me and my family with an insurmountable system of support. People from all areas of my life took a stand in a time of unprecedented crisis to ensure that we were all cared for from home-cooked dinners to coordinating doctors’ appointments, to providing childcare. I never forgot the generosity bestowed upon us in the greatest time of need.

It wasn’t until years later that I found myself feeling disconnected from the positive acts of giving. While checking out at the grocery store, I faced the familiar situation of being asked to donate to the store’s chosen charity. Despite having no affinity for the store’s randomly chosen organization, I rounded up my purchase and headed out the door, questioning why I didn’t feel as positive as I’d hoped, even after donating to a worthy cause.

Days later, still unable to shake the disingenuous feelings that lingered, I found myself deep into research about the inefficient and impersonal ways in which society often gives. Instead of seeing words like “exciting” and “connected” I instead saw phrases such as “obligation” and “guilt-ridden.” I found myself imagining what the world could look like if everyone always felt that their acts of giving came from a place of true generosity, love, and empowerment.

At that moment, I knew that the world needed something like Rosi. An organization whose mission was to not only give back to communities in need but to also give back the good feelings brought on by doing good. I spent the next several years learning more about our society’s giving habits and how impactful things such as choice, ease, and transparency are when it comes to the ways we meaningfully give.

As more time passes, I am continuously reminded of and humbled by the massive and incredible impact that we can have as a community. And I am honored and thrilled to be able to bring the Rosi platform into the world.

Dan Fitzgerald

Dan Fitzgerald, Founder