Saying Goodbye to Everfund - A Personal Note

It's taken me a few weeks to write these words. Sometimes the most important goodbyes are the hardest to say.

Seven years ago, I was a front-end developer who just wanted to "build something cool." I never imagined that simple desire would lead to a journey from Lincoln to Silicon Valley and back, building technology that would help charities raise millions for causes that matter.

Everfund wasn't just a company - it was my education, my challenge, and ultimately, my growth. From those early days of experimenting with NFC technology to building a modern donation platform that served major charitable organizations, every step taught me something new about technology, business, and myself.

The Real Story

Looking back, what stands out isn't the technical achievements or the fundraising milestones - it's the people. The local food bank that used our platform during COVID to keep their community fed. The charities that trusted us with their missions. The team members who poured their creativity and passion into building something meaningful.

And Will - my co-founder who became one of my closest friends. When people ask about Everfund's legacy, this friendship might be the most valuable thing we built.

What I've Learned

Building a startup teaches you things you never expected to learn. I've learned that technical challenges, while complex, are often the easiest to solve. The real challenges lie in building relationships, maintaining vision through setbacks, and staying true to yourself under pressure.

I've learned that it's okay to be vulnerable, to ask for help, and to admit when things aren't working. Most importantly, I've learned that success isn't just measured in exits and valuations - it's measured in the lives you touch and the growth you experience along the way.

Looking Forward

While this chapter is ending, the lessons and relationships built through Everfund will stay with me forever. To everyone who was part of this journey - our team, our clients, our investors, our mentors (especially Graham), and our community - thank you. You've each played a part in shaping not just Everfund, but who I am as a person.

To other founders on their own journeys: your path might feel lonely at times, but you're not alone. My door is always open if you need someone who understands what you're going through.

And to Everfund itself - thank you for everything you've taught me. It's been an incredible ride.

What's Next

As this chapter closes, I'm embarking on an exciting new journey. After building a multi-region donation platform that processed transactions across 33+ countries, I'm ready to bring my technical founder experience to San Francisco's vibrant tech ecosystem.

I'm seeking engineering roles where I can combine deep technical expertise with strong product thinking. At Everfund, I learned that the best engineering isn't just about writing clean code – it's about rapidly delivering features that drive business value while maintaining the high standards that enterprise customers expect. Whether it was implementing multi-region support or building automated financial reconciliation systems, I consistently balanced quick iteration with rock-solid reliability.

Currently seeking sponsorship for an O-1 visa, I'm particularly interested in hands-on, in-office environments where engineers demonstrate product thinking and where technical excellence directly drives business outcomes. I believe great software comes from maintaining high velocity while sweating the important details, and I'm looking for a team that shares this commitment.

If you're building something exciting and value engineers who can move fast while maintaining quality, I'd love to connect. You can learn more about my journey and what I can bring to your team at https://burnedchris.com/hire-me.

A Deeper Story

For founders who want to learn more about this journey, I've written a candid 4,000-word deep dive into the full Everfund story - from the highs of Silicon Valley meetings to the challenges of founder mental health and everything in between. While this is currently private, I'm happy to share it with other founders who might find value in our experiences. If you're on your own founder journey and would like access to this more detailed account, please reach out. Sometimes the most valuable thing we can share with each other is our unfiltered stories.

With gratitude and excitement for what's ahead,

Christopher Burns

Co-Founder of Everfund