Where it started
A love of sport, community growth
and tech for good.
As an Indigenous Australian who grew up below the poverty line, iSponsor CEO Richard Siganto knows what it’s like to be a young person who isn’t reaching their full potential. Living rurally only added to his limited access to activities that can be incredibly important for a child’s development, such as organised sport. Despite the odds, Richard managed to transcend his circumstances in a way he never thought possible as a child living in poverty. He puts his success down to a combination of creativity, a strong work ethic, and perseverance. His struggles provided him with a survival instinct and fostered an aspiration to help others – to ensure that all children, no matter their socio-economic status, had access to education, sport and other growth opportunities.
Richard’s entrepreneurial spirit led to the conception of iSponsor. Forged out of adversity, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, iSponsor was created to empower communities and promote “shopping local” in order to build community ties on the grassroots level.
Since its launch, iSponsor has engaged with over 1,900+ groups to create constant income and to help build empowered and more resilient communities. iSponsor drives more customers to businesses in Australia through our free and innovative shopping gateway than any other platform. Unlike other fundraising platforms, iSponsor is building stronger communities, creating connections, and boosting local economies through responsible e-commerce.
At the time, iSponsor was the first of its kind in the market, filling the void of social enterprises.
“We knew what we had was special, we just weren’t sure exactly how to implement it. We spent the first 12 months of operation simply on phone calls to clients working on nuances and building a brand. Now we are recognisable nationally [Australia], and have found our market fit. Now we believe we know we have the product that is going to make the world a better place” – Richard Siganto
Where it’s going
Did you know that we spend $63 trillion each year on consumer goods and services? Imagine if 5% went back to your community, back to non-profits that are making our world a better place. That’s $3 trillion dollars in the hands of these groups without an extra cent spent by you, the consumer, when you shop through iSponsor.
To change the world, we must change the game. And that is exactly what iSponsor is doing.
Our goal is to revolutionize fundraising around the world – a campaign that actually fits with your donor’s budget. We plan on growing fundraising capacities for premier charities from coast to coast in the US. Our launch into the US is fulfilling our vision of becoming the largest giving forward product in the world. And with a UK launch on the horizon, we cannot wait to share our product with communities around the globe.
Can iSponsor change the game in your country? Get in touch.
Our values drive us forward
WE VALUE
COMMUNITY
Community is at the core of iSponsor. The groups we serve foster a sense of belonging, a feeling of support and a desire to make the world a better and safer place.
When we grow communities, we create more opportunities for those that are often left behind. We rise up together.
WE VALUE
GIVING
For iSponsor, giving goes far beyond sponsorship dollars.
For us, giving is about a generous spirit, a desire to care for others and giving back to the communities that have been an integral part of all our lives.
WE VALUE
EMPOWERMENT
Our mission is to give our communities the tools to thrive. iSponsor provides a platform to our businesses to create a meaningful impact in their communities.
iSponsor allows our app users to become philanthropic at no extra cost to them. Empowered communities are confident, self-determined and sustainable.
WE VALUE
INNOVATION
At its core, iSponsor is a tech company that believes in innovation for good. We believe that technology and innovative thinking can find solutions to some of the biggest challenges faced in the world today.
iSponsor’s digital fundraising platform means that we are able to help grow stronger communities that can withstand the challenges to come.
WE VALUE
TEAMWORK
iSponsor works because we believe in collaboration; we work alongside our groups, businesses
and members to achieve success.
The iSponsor team extends beyond the walls of our offices; we are there in your committee meetings, we play on your fields and we are by your side volunteering. We know that iSponsor is only as strong as our community.
A word from our CEO,
Richard Siganto
iSponsor founder, Richard Siganto has been a small and mid-size enterprise owner as well has volunteered, and coached for grassroots sports clubs for most of his life. His goal with iSponsor is to simply help others who have been in those positions. He wants local sporting clubs to thrive, children’s education to soar, charities to have the means to change the world, and businesses to blossom. He wants to use the iSponsor platform to make the world a little better.
“As a kid growing up below the poverty line, I was ashamed that we couldn’t afford the right school books, play sports and tertiary education was a dream that people from my neighbourhood would never experience. iSponsor is my gift to society that will hopefully help kids growing up in those neighbourhoods play more sport, study harder, not be embarrassed and strive for opportunities that they didn’t feel they could.” – Richard Siganto
Our Team
Leigh Martyn
Operations Manager
“After a 35-year corporate career, the opportunity to join iSponsor was something I jumped at. Grass root sports and charities (I run my own DGR Charity) are my passion and what iSponsor is doing aligns perfectly with my ethos. I can’t wait to see what iSponsor and its organisations can achieve in the future.”
Liam Roach
National Partnerships Director
“Becoming a part of iSponsor has allowed me to grow as a person and leader. As well as provided us with an opportunity to make a significant impact in the sporting world, which is something that is close to my heart.”
Matt Gilbert
Global Commercial Director
“iSponsor is the absolute dream workplace. An innovative start-up where no 2 days are the same; combined with the opportunity to make a significant difference to organisations and causes all around the world. The platform is a revolution and a no-brainer for anyone serious about optimising their giving.”
Malee Rowell
Digital Marketing Manager
“The thing I love most about working with iSponsor is: it’s not just a “job”. When we come to work, we arrive knowing everything we are doing ultimately goes to growing and developing our local communities and economies by creating a service and tool to help important community groups access a free, no effort, and impactful fundraising solution. It’s such a rewarding cause to be a part of.”
Damien Casey
Client Success Manager
“Sport has been a part of me since I learned how to walk.
The chance to work with the sports I love and help organisations better themselves financially is rewarding. The simplicity of the app for people is mind blowing, not only to use, but what it can do for organisations.”
Kyron Cole
Client Success Manager
“I love working at iSponsor because sport provides positive opportunities for kids. If we can make sport more accessible for everyone regardless of their circumstance we can play our part in keeping kids involved and out of trouble.”
Tess Herrick-Egerton
Administration Manager
“Joining iSponsor was the easiest decision! It makes me extremely proud to work for an organisation that assists local grassroots clubs, charities, P&C’s and not-for-profit organisations. We are truly making a difference in Australia!”
Join our community
No-nonsense news, tips and education
