NEED-AID was founded to address persistent gaps in how aid, benefits, and funding reach people. We bring deep experience in payments, incentives, and public sector and nonprofit programs together with a commitment to responsible innovation.
Our work is grounded in practicality and trust. At the same time, we believe the systems that move money for public good must evolve. We exists to help bridge that gap, modernizing today’s infrastructure while building tomorrow’s models with care, transparency, and accountability.
Our Philosophy
Our approach is intentionally collaborative and open ended. The services and partner capabilities we support are not prescriptive or exhaustive, but illustrative of what is possible when modern payment tools, thoughtful program design, and experienced delivery are brought together in service of real-world outcomes.
We view each engagement as the beginning of a conversation rather than a fixed solution. Our role is to listen first, understand context, and help shape practical options aligned with agency priorities, existing vendors, and operational realities.
The future of social impact payments and funding will require new models, new participants, and new forms of trust. NEED-AID is committed to building that future responsibly, transparently, and in partnership with the communities it serves.
Our Advisors
Tyler Gentry is the principal founder of NEED-AID and a longtime practitioner in payments and public sector program delivery. A Wyoming native and University of Wyoming graduate, he brings a practical Western perspective to solving complex problems in how aid and public funds are delivered. Tyler works with government agencies, nonprofits, and mission driven partners to modernize payment systems and explore new accountable models for funding social impact. His work focuses on practical innovation that improves speed, transparency, and trust while respecting regulatory and operational realities.
Sean Heffron brings experience across government, nonprofit, and civic organizations with a focus on operations, public sector initiatives, and community impact. He previously served in the Los Angeles Mayor’s Office supporting the Deputy Mayor responsible for transportation, infrastructure, LA River revitalization, and neighborhood services, where he helped launch several COVID 19 response initiatives including the city’s emergency hotline, vaccine phonebank, and financial assistance programs. Most recently, he worked at the Central City Association in Los Angeles managing operations, finance, membership, and strategic events.
Richard “Rick” Johnston is Co-Founder of FARO, the Financial Aid & Resiliency Organization, a US nonprofit combining guidance and advice with modern multi-payment infrastructure for disaster relief and social impact programmes. With a background spanning fintech, financial aid programs, and payment technology development, he advises on practical approaches to getting money where it needs to go: faster, more transparently, and with stronger accountability. Based in Northern Ireland, he brings a global perspective grounded in UK & US experience.