Three UVM students have built a free platform, GiftDrive.org, that’s helping Vermont nonprofits modernize donation drives and connect with a new generation of donors. The idea was born out of a University of Vermont classroom where the students, Logan Vaughan (UVM ’27), Miro Gohacki (UVM ’25), and Corinne Atwell (UVM ’27), saw how challenging it was for local organizations to manage in-kind donation drives and wishlists.
After interviewing dozens of Vermont nonprofits, the team learned that most organizations struggle to track donations, collect donor info, send tax receipts, and communicate needs effectively. Many local nonprofits still rely on spreadsheets, email chains, or paper lists to organize drives, leaving donors guessing what’s actually needed and how to give as well as nonprofit staff buried in logistics.
GiftDrive was built as a solution for both sides of the problem. On GiftDrive, nonprofits create custom wish lists, like digital gift registries, with photos, item descriptions, and quantities of needed items. Donors can browse drives, purchase items directly on the platform, and ship them straight to the organization’s door. GiftDrive helps nonprofits track donations as they come in, compile valuable donor contact information, and automate donors’ tax receipts.
Since launching in early September 2025, GiftDrive has helped Vermont organizations like COTS, Good Samaritan Haven, and Rally Cats Cupboard collect hundreds of essential items, from boxes of pasta to bottles of shampoo, worth thousands of dollars in total donations. “Our goal is to empower nonprofits across Vermont to save valuable time and resources while connecting with new and younger donors,” said Logan Vaughan, one of GiftDrive’s co-founders.
Another example of GiftDrive engaging with donors is their work with the Williston Community Food Shelf. With all of the recent challenges around food insecurity and SNAP benefits, GiftDrive has seen a huge surge in their donations to food shelves. For example, WCFS has raised nearly 500 items on the platform, totaling almost $5,000 in value. Ginger Morton from WCFS recently sent this message to the three UVM Students: “Please share with your team that the gift drive has gone wild!! With the Snap benefit issues, people are being very generous, and finding your platform very easy to use.”
Whether you are a nonprofit wanting to start a gift drive or a donor wanting to make a direct impact, check out giftdrive.org.