How it Works?
1. Launch your Campaign-set a funding goal. Explain your campaign and offer rewards.
2. Attract Supporters-Built in Social Media marketing tools help you attract support.
3. Easily Collect Pledges-Simple for your supporters. Easy to withdraw once you reach your goal.
4. Easy to Manage-Track page visits, campaign performance and review supporter info.
How does it work?
GoFundMe makes it incredibly easy to raise money online for the things that matter to you most. In less than a minute, you'll be able to personalize your fundraising campaign and share it with the people in your life.
With GoFundMe, the money you collect goes directly to you. There are no deadlines or limits - each donation you receive is yours to keep. Raising money for yourself or a loved one has never been easier.
What can I raise money for?
Most people use GoFundMe to raise money for themselves, a friend or loved one during life's important moments. This includes things like medical expenses, education costs, volunteer programs, youth sports, funerals & memorials - even animals & pets.
That said, we're always amazed at all the unique ways people use GoFundMe to raise money online. The possibilities are endless!
How do I get my money?
Once your fundraising campaign begins receiving online donations, you can easily request a withdrawal at any time. Don't worry, withdrawing money does not affect the progress meter that's displayed on your GoFundMe campaign. Simply click the 'Withdraw' button inside your GoFundMe account and follow the on-screen instructions.
Can I raise money for a friend?
Of course! You can either withdraw the funds first then send them to your beneficiary, or contact our team to give your beneficiary access to the account. Please note you will not be able to enter their check or bank information during the withdrawal process, they will need to do this themselves.
Does it cost anything?
While it's free to create and share your online fundraising campaign, GoFundMe will deduct a 5% fee from each donation that you receive. Since our fee is deducted automatically, you'll never need to worry about being billed or owing us any money. A small processing fee of about 3% will also be deducted from each donation.
Do my donors get charged?
No, never. Other sites might charge your donors without you knowing it, but we would never do that. Donors are charged only the amount they choose to donate to you and that's it.
Are there any time limits?
Nope. With GoFundMe there are no deadlines or time-limits. Your campaign will remain live until you choose to stop donations or remove the campaign altogether. Most users leave their campaigns live indefinitely as a lasting memory of all the wonderful comments and support they received.
Note: If you would like to set a deadline, simply choose our 'All-or-Nothing' campaign option during Sign-Up.
What if I don't reach my goal?
No problem. With GoFundMe, you keep each and every donation you receive. Reaching your goal is not required.
Note: Users interested in an 'All-or-Nothing' campaign may choose this option during Sign-Up.
Do I have to use my real name?
Yes. GoFundMe is a site that rewards authenticity and transparency. However, you may choose to hide your campaign from being listed on GoFundMe during the Sign-Up process.
Who will donate to my campaign?
Your campaign will be supported by the people in your life. This includes friends, family members, loved ones, coworkers, classmates and teammates. Only after your campaign receives the support of the people you personally know can it begin to attract the support of others.
Do I have to use my Facebook account?
Although optional, connecting your account to Facebook is highly recommended and makes sharing your campaign with others incredibly easy. A valid Facebook account is required for all campaigns that wish to appear within GoFundMe's Public Search Directory. Don't worry, we'll never post anything to your Facebook account unless you say so.
Is my country supported?
Supported countries and currencies include: United States of America ($USD), United Kingdom (£GBP), Canada ($CAD), Australia ($AUD), and some European Union countries that use the Euro as their official currency (€EUR).
Can donors in other countries donate to my campaign?
Yes, your GoFundMe campaign is able to accept donations from around the world.
Will my donors get charged any fees?
No, never. Other sites might charge your donors without you knowing it, but we would never do that. Donors are charged only the amount they choose to donate to you and that's it.
Can people donate from their phones?
You bet. The mobile version of your GoFundMe campaign will load for those visiting your campaign from their phones. Your campaign still looks great and it's very easy for donors to complete their donations from their mobile device. Take the Tour >>
We raised money offline, can it be listed on our campaign?
Yes, for Personal campaigns only. Simply select 'Add Offline Donation' inside of your GoFundMe Dashboard to add money you received offline to your campaign total. No payment is actually made, and the donation will be marked as an 'Offline Donation' on your campaign.
Can donors give privately?
Of course. Donors can simply check a box to keep their donations hidden from public view. However, the Campaign Organizer will always know who the donor is.
How can I withdraw the money?
Once your fundraising campaign begins receiving online donations, you can easily request a withdrawal at any time. Don't worry, withdrawing money does not affect the progress meter that's displayed on your GoFundMe campaign. Simply click the 'Withdraw' button inside your GoFundMe Dashboard and follow the on-screen instructions. You can choose to withdraw your balance directly to your bank account. Campaigns in the US may also request a check.
Can people give on a monthly basis?
Absolutely. The option to give on a monthly basis is available for all US-based campaigns. Monthly donations are also available for those donating to GoFundMe's Certified Charity campaigns.
What about taxes and stuff?
Unfortunately, we're unable to provide specific tax advice since everyone's situation is different. While this is no means a guarantee, most donations on GoFundMe are simply considered to be 'personal gifts' which are not taxed as income in the US. Additionally, only donations made to a legally registered non-profit or charity may be considered eligible for donors to claim as a tax deduction. Again, every situation is different so please consult with a tax professional in your area.
RUNNING A SUCCESSFUL CAMPAIGN
What's the secret to a successful campaign?
If you're raising money for something that you strongly believe in, chances are that the people in your life will be eager to support you. GoFundMe gives you the easy-to-use features to share your story with your family, friends, loved ones and community. Every Campaign Organizer should connect their Facebook account, use a high-quality campaign photo or video and clearly explain why they're raising money. Sharing your campaign on Facebook is the single most important thing you can do. For more tips, along with how-to videos, please visit: 5 Steps to a Successful Campaign
Can I raise money for anything?
Almost. As always, common sense goes a long way here. DO raise money for personal causes that are purposeful, exciting and inspiring to others. DON'T break any local laws, expect strangers to buy you stuff or promote inappropriate content. When in doubt, browse our categories of thousands of successful campaigns to see how others use GoFundMe.
How can I share my campaign?
Every GoFundMe campaign is given a unique link that's easy to share with others (you can even customize this link). Sharing your fundraising campaign is easy using GoFundMe's built-in features like email invitations and Facebook posting.
Will GoFundMe help me get media coverage?
The best way to get into the spotlight is to pursue your own local media first. The good news is that your local newspaper and TV news stations are starving for interesting stories like yours. Once your campaign begins to really pick up steam, our team may contact you.
What are 'Update' messages?
GoFundMe's 'Update' feature is a great way to add fresh information to your campaign. In doing so, you can choose to share the post with your current supporters and donors - you can even share the Update on Facebook to attract more support. Update messages can also include up to 3 photos or videos.
Can I send a Thank You message?
While signed in to your GoFundMe account, simply select a recent donation and click the 'Say Thanks' button. You'll be able to personalize the message and send it to the donor's email address.
Can I export the information of my donors?
Yes. All donation activity can easily be exported to a spreadsheet. Simply click the 'More' tab within your Dashboard, then visit the 'Donations' section of your GoFundMe account and click the 'Export' button.
Will I have my donors' mailing addresses?
If you'd like, you can choose to capture the mailing addresses of your donors. This is useful in the event you're shipping an actual item like a thank-you card or t-shirt.