Happy Valley: The perfect foundation for building something meaningful
By Holly Riddle
Giv Local provides businesses an easy way to integrate charitable giving into their everyday transactions. Clients work with Giv Local to process credit and debit cards in person or digitally, and then 20% of Giv Local’s processing revenue from those transactions goes to the local nonprofits of the client’s choice. Founded in 2018 by Christian Baum, Sam Buckley and Shizuka Buckley, Giv Local has since grown to the point that some nonprofits are now receiving over $10,000 annually in recurring support — all because businesses chose to work with Giv Local and benefit their communities at the same time, at no cost to them.
We spoke with Baum to learn more about Giv Local and why Happy Valley was the perfect place to embark on this entrepreneurial venture. Here’s what he had to say.
When did you start your business and what is its origin story?
Giv Local was founded in 2018 with a clear mission: to empower businesses while creating sustainable, recurring revenue streams for nonprofits at no additional cost. The founders came together with a vision of supporting local communities and uplifting businesses by integrating charitable giving into everyday business transactions. After evaluating various service possibilities, we identified merchant services — a core commodity for businesses — as the ideal starting point. Through rigorous testing and invaluable feedback from over 50 local business owners, Giv Local was born. The company’s unique model allows businesses to donate 20% of their processing revenue to local nonprofits of their choice, ensuring a positive impact in the community. This innovative approach to business and philanthropy has created a meaningful way for organizations to give back, making it a true win-win for everyone involved.
Did the team have any related background before starting? Or any entrepreneurial experience? Or was this venture completely unexpected?
The Giv Local team brings together a wealth of diverse experience, uniquely positioning them to create positive change. I’m a seasoned entrepreneur and have founded several ventures, all driven by a commitment to leverage business as a force for good. I’m known within the State College community for initiatives like New Leaf Initiative and the co.space, and my work embodies social impact.
Sam Buckley contributes decades of expertise in banking, with deep insights into payment processing, while his wife, Shizuka Buckley, enriches our team with her background in women’s empowerment, marketing and nonprofit work.
Together, our combined experiences and shared passion for community impact make Giv Local a powerful platform for meaningful change.
Why did you feel this team was the right one to start this business?
Our team brought together the perfect combination of skills and vision to create meaningful change in an industry often regarded as just another business necessity. Merchant services are typically seen as a commodity — valued only for their reliability and often viewed as a burden if they fail. But we saw a different path.
With our diverse expertise in entrepreneurship, banking, nonprofit work, and community empowerment, we asked, “What if merchant services could do more? What if they could work so effectively that they not only support businesses but also elevate and sustain local communities?”
By harnessing our combined skills and experiences, we are transforming merchant services into a force for positive impact, making it an integral part of a thriving, interconnected community.
What makes you passionate about this industry or solution — passionate enough to start a business?
Our team is driven by the freedom to do what others can’t or aren’t willing to do, empowered by a shared vision to challenge the status quo. Working within the constraints of traditional roles, we’ve all experienced the limitations of deferring to someone else’s final decision. Merchant services, in particular, is a complex industry, often entangled in layers of red tape. What fueled our passion was less about the industry itself and more about the opportunity to understand it deeply and disrupt it meaningfully. The moment we envisioned how we could transform merchant services into a force for community impact, we dedicated ourselves entirely to making that vision a reality. This relentless commitment to innovation and community sustains our drive every day.
Why did you feel this community was the perfect place to start this business?
“Centre County is truly the ideal place to bring Giv Local’s vision to life. This community is one of the most philanthropic regions in the state, filled with people who genuinely care for one another and are dedicated to uplifting their neighbors.”
Centre County is truly the ideal place to bring Giv Local’s vision to life. This community is one of the most philanthropic regions in the state, filled with people who genuinely care for one another and are dedicated to uplifting their neighbors. It’s a place that feels like home, where honesty and support are woven into the fabric of daily life. Nearly one million Penn State alumni have roots here, each eager to see fellow friends and alumni succeed. With its clean air, friendly faces and safe neighborhoods, there’s simply nowhere better to start a business. Centre County provides the perfect foundation for building something meaningful, and we’re honored to grow alongside this incredible community.
“With its clean air, friendly faces and safe neighborhoods, there’s simply nowhere better to start a business. Centre County provides the perfect foundation for building something meaningful.”
What void are you filling in the marketplace? What makes you stand out from the competition?
In an industry often associated with high-pressure tactics and subpar service, Giv Local stands out as a breath of fresh air. Many businesses are accustomed to the relentless calls and empty promises that offer little new value, but Giv Local takes a distinctly different approach.
Here’s how we set ourselves apart:
1. We’re proud to be the only B Certified Payment Processing company in the nation, underscoring our commitment not only to profit but to people and the planet.
2. Exceptional service is at the heart of what we do. We actively listen to our clients, anticipating and addressing their needs with genuine care and dedication.
3. Our service is uniquely tied to social impact, enabling our clients to make a difference in their communities with every transaction.
4. Flexibility and choice are central to our offerings, with a broad range of processors and endpoints available, empowering our clients to select the solutions that best fit their business. At Giv Local, we’re not just providing a service — we’re redefining what payment processing can mean for businesses and communities alike.
What can clients expect when they work with you?
When clients choose to work with Giv Local, they’re partnering with a team that genuinely loves what they do. We’re here because we’re passionate, and we believe work should be as enjoyable as it is impactful. Clients can expect to collaborate with a group of upbeat, dedicated professionals who truly care about making a difference. With Giv Local, they’re not only receiving exceptional service but also creating a positive impact right in their own community. And as an added benefit, most businesses even see savings when they make the switch to Giv Local. Working with us means joining a movement that’s as rewarding as it is refreshing.
What part of your business has proven most successful/necessary? Did this surprise you?
One of the most surprising and rewarding aspects of our journey has been the enthusiastic support from financial institutions like banks and credit unions. We hadn’t anticipated just how much these organizations would resonate with our mission. Yet, they’ve consistently shown a strong desire to partner with us, motivated by the shared goal of creating a lasting, positive impact in their communities. It’s been inspiring to see how deeply financial institutions care about community well-being, and their partnerships have become a pivotal part of our success, affirming the importance of our work in ways we didn’t initially foresee. We were also surprised by the overwhelming support from nonprofits, looking to promote our services to increase their annual budgets and donor base.
What have you found most rewarding about running your business?
Without a doubt, the most rewarding part of our work is hand-delivering checks to nonprofits, especially to those who had no idea we were out there working on their behalf. Seeing their genuine surprise and gratitude, knowing that these funds will make a tangible difference, is incredibly fulfilling.
Some of these nonprofits now receive over $10,000 annually in recurring support — funds they can count on to continue their vital work. It’s a powerful reminder of why we do what we do, and each check delivery reinforces the impact Giv Local has on our communities.
What are your business goals for the future?
Looking ahead, we’re excited to expand our reach and deepen our impact. One of our key goals is to offer services to clients with international needs, enabling us to support businesses and nonprofits on a global scale.
Additionally, we’re committed to enhancing digital access for our customers and nonprofit partners, empowering them to easily track the impact of their contributions in real time.
“Our vision for the future is one of growth, innovation and ever-greater support for the communities we serve.”
We also plan to collaborate with like-minded organizations and expand our service offerings, all with the aim of maximizing the positive impact we can make together. Our vision for the future is one of growth, innovation and ever-greater support for the communities we serve.
