The definition of a changemaker

Everyone has the capacity to be a changemaker. 

These words were constantly on repeat in the early days of Givebutter, like a song stuck in my head. As an undergrad surrounded by other students eager to make a difference in the world, I could never have imagined how far this mantra would take me. 

Some of my peers' optimistic worldviews have since faded, but for me, the drum only beats louder as I witness the incredible impact millions of changemakers powered by Givebutter have made over the years. 

Labels like changemaker get thrown around a lot in tech and social impact spheres, ultimately getting watered down or losing their meaning altogether. I'd like to share what being a changemaker means for us at Givebutter and imagine what kind of transformation this new era of changemakers is truly capable of. 

What is a changemaker?

A changemaker is a person with a bias toward action—someone who works to make the world a better place, in big or small ways.

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word changemaker? A great leader like Nelson Mandela? A daring advocate like Greta Thunberg? Those “Think Different” ads from the '90s? 

Or maybe it’s something closer to home—a teacher who stood up for you or a colleague who made you think, “That’s the kind of person I want to be in this world.” 

Of course, there’s no wrong answer (if you said vending machines, take a lap). A changemaker is anyone who proactively works to improve the environment around them. Changemakers are commanders, figureheads, social entrepreneurs, muckrakers, movers, shakers, and agitators, but they are also—and more often than not—the people whose names we don’t know, quietly working behind the scenes to make things happen. 

At Givebutter, we operate on the belief that changemakers include every person involved in making the world a better place, including: 

• Volunteers
• Nonprofit professionals
• Donors
• Activists and organizers 
• Fundraisers
• Board members 

…and so many more.

Being a changemaker isn’t easy. While charitable donations in the United States totaled $557B in 2024 alone, political and economic factors continue to bring enormous challenges for nonprofit fundraising. But changemakers are resilient, and each of us has a role to play in determining what happens next. 

Anyone can be a changemaker  

You don't have to be featured in a Nike commercial to call yourself a changemaker. Becoming a changemaker begins with setting an intention. 

Many of us know we want to make the world a better place, but we struggle to know exactly how to do it. 

We may think about our impact in everyday life: where we spend our money, how we travel, who and what we pay attention to. But with so many small ways to think about impact, we are sometimes left wondering if it’s enough or if we are concentrating our efforts to truly make a difference long term.

What change can I really make? 

If we think of changemaking like a spectrum, the different methods of making a difference become more clearly defined. Where do you see yourself at this moment?

• Seeker 🔍 You’re in the process of finding your inspiration and seeking out your home for action. Now is a time for reading, listening, and reaching out to find the places where you can best share your time and resources.
• Assembler 🧩 You’re finding collaborators and connecting the dots. Community building is your superpower, and you’re in this for the long haul, making things happen behind the scenes.
• Doer 🔨 You’ve got the drive and the direction—and you’re already out there doing the thing. You thrive when you're leading projects, building momentum, and pulling people together to make change real.
• Amplifier 📢 You’ve found your stride—and now you’re lifting others up. You amplify the message, spotlight the mission, and inspire others to step into their own changemaker journey. Whether you’re speaking up online, mentoring new leaders, or just sharing powerful stories, you remind people why their voice matters.

Whether you're organizing neighborhood cleanups or hyping up a cause online, changemakers come in all shapes, vibes, and volumes. Take this quiz to find your changemaker style—and get inspired to lean into what makes you powerful.

How to become a changemaker

There are so many ways to be a changemaker in the world. Donating, organizing, volunteering, and raising awareness are all ways of giving back. This act of giving—our money, our time, our skills—is built into human nature. In fact, it’s extremely good for your health, both mentally and physically. 

When we lean into the aspects of giving that make for a significant—even joyful—experience, those who give will want to do it again and again. It’s how change grows.

I’m proud that Givebutter has become a home for changemakers, a place made for connecting people with causes and connecting causes with their communities. I truly believe that the biggest reason we’ve grown as quickly as we have is that we make giving a fun, social, and significant experience. We believe that everyone should have access to the best tools to enact change, which is why we’re free for changemakers, easy for donors, and meaningful for everyone involved.

Wherever you are right now in your journey, I hope you’ll join Givebutter in the movement to power the next billion changemakers.

And check out Givebutter’s Changemaker Summer for a whole spread of resources, webinars, and tools to upgrade your fundraising toolkit this summer and beyond!