Help With GoFundMe: Top 8 Crowdfunding Questions (2024)

| 4 min read Crowdfunding

Have you recently decided to launch your own fundraiser and you want to make sure you have all the facts before getting started? Maybe you haven’t made up your mind about whether crowdfunding is right for you? Or perhaps you’re wondering why GoFundMe and does GoFundMe take a percentage? Wherever you are in your crowdfunding journey, we want to ensure you get help with GoFundMe fundraising and find all the information you need.

Start a fundraiser

8 questions about GoFundMe answered

Every fundraising platform is different, so it’s important to understand the fees involved, if customer support is offered, and details about receiving your funds. Below, we answer the top questions about using GoFundMe and how it works. To learn more, check out our video:

1. How much does it cost to set up a GoFundMe?

In the US, there’s no fee to start or manage your fundraiser. Take a look at our pricing page for more information before you start raising funds. To set up a donation page on GoFundMe, organizers will need a phone number, an email address, and a compelling fundraiser story and/or photos that explain why they are fundraising. The organizer will also need a bank account to receive donated amounts.

2. How do the fees work?

A transaction fee of 2.9% + $0.30 is automatically deducted from each donation, so you never have to worry about paying a bill.

3. What percentage does GoFundMe take?

There is one small transaction fee per donation that covers all your fundraising needs. Everything else goes directly to your cause, because that’s what matters most.

4. How much does GoFundMe keep?

As previously mentioned, there is one small transaction fee per donation that covers all your fundraising needs. It’s important to us that everyone is able to get the help they need—which is why we don’t charge a fee to start a fundraiser. Instead, we accept optional tips from donors that help make it possible for us to offer powerful and trusted fundraising tools, customer support, and a global team of Trust & Safety experts.

5. How long does it take to get your money from GoFundMe?

If you are fundraising for yourself, you will need to complete our payment processor’s standard verification process before funds will be safely delivered to your bank account. This verification process may take up to 10 business days or longer if required verification information is not provided or is determined by our payment processor to be unclear or insufficient. As a fundraiser beneficiary, you may choose to receive funds on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. Most of our users choose daily.

6. How does GoFundMe pay you?

Safe and secure fundraising is our top priority. That’s why we partner with industry-leading payment processors like PayPal to accept and deliver your donations.

The transaction fee is automatically deducted from each donation. It covers the costs of credit and debit charges, safely delivering donations, and helps us offer more ways to donate—through credit, debit, PayPal, Apple Pay, or Google Pay. This is the only fee deducted on GoFundMe to cover all your fundraising needs.

7. Does GoFundMe have a customer service number?

While GoFundMe does not have a customer service number, our Customer Care team is dedicated to helping through email support.

To reach GoFundMe’s Customer Care team, please access this contact page. You can also search our Help Center for common account questions, or read our blog for countless fundraising tips and advice.

8. Where can I share my GoFundMe?

You can share your GoFundMe anywhere and everywhere! The best way to build momentum for your fundraiser is to receive support from people you know. Share your fundraiser on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and other social media platforms, as well as through email, text, or printed flyers. Encourage your family and friends to share your fundraiser with their community, too. With crowdfunding, it’s easy to reach people who are outside of your network.

Start fundraising with GoFundMe today

Whether you’re raising funds to pay medical bills or you’re inspired to do charity crowdfunding to support a cause that’s close to your heart, GoFundMe wants to help. It’s important to note that businesses can also use online fundraising for financial support or to raise money for a new project. What sets GoFundMe apart is our advanced social fundraising tools and our fundraising resources. Take a look at these mistakes successful fundraisers avoid to make sure you maximize donations and reach your fundraising goals. Every day people use GoFundMe to help others from around the world, and you can find support, too. Sign up today to start your fundraiser.

Start a fundraiser

Help With GoFundMe: Top 8 Crowdfunding Questions (2024)

FAQs

Help With GoFundMe: Top 8 Crowdfunding Questions? ›

No fee to create a fundraiser

There's no fee to start or manage your fundraiser. However, to help us operate safely and securely, one small transaction fee (2.9% + $0.30, which includes debit and credit charges) is deducted per donation.

How much does GoFundMe take on a $100 donation? ›

No fee to create a fundraiser

There's no fee to start or manage your fundraiser. However, to help us operate safely and securely, one small transaction fee (2.9% + $0.30, which includes debit and credit charges) is deducted per donation.

What is the best strategy for GoFundMe? ›

Here are the most important steps to take throughout your fundraiser:
  • Tell your story in at least 1-3 paragraphs.
  • Share your fundraiser as soon as you're ready, in more than one place, multiple times.
  • Post an update within 1 week.
  • Set up bank transfers.
Nov 14, 2023

What raises the most money on GoFundMe? ›

April. America's Food Fund becomes the largest GoFundMe of all time, raising over $44 million to help people struggling with food insecurity due to COVID-19.

What is the fastest way to raise money on GoFundMe? ›

  1. Write a descriptive fundraiser title. ...
  2. Be as detailed as possible in your fundraiser story. ...
  3. Choose high-quality photos for your fundraiser. ...
  4. Share your fundraiser early and often. ...
  5. Spread the news about your fundraiser in different ways. ...
  6. Be specific when sharing your fundraiser. ...
  7. Post regular updates to your fundraiser.

Do I pay taxes on GoFundMe donations? ›

Donations made to personal GoFundMe fundraisers are generally considered to be "personal gifts" which, for the most part, are not taxed as income in the United States. Additionally, these donations are not tax deductible for donors.

Do I have to pay taxes on GoFundMe? ›

If the money raised on GoFundMe is for a personal cause, such as medical expenses or home repairs, it is typically considered taxable income. However, if the money is raised for a charitable cause, it may not be subject to taxes.

Is there a better website than GoFundMe? ›

BetterWorld. BetterWorld tops the list of GoFundMe alternatives for several reasons. The first reason is its flexibility. In addition to hosting a crowdfunding campaign, you can also do a variety of other fundraisers, including online auctions, giveaways, peer-to-peer fundraising events, and monthly giving arrangements ...

Are there better sites than GoFundMe? ›

Other important factors to consider when researching alternatives to GoFundMe include ease of use and reliability. We have compiled a list of solutions that reviewers voted as the best overall alternatives and competitors to GoFundMe, including Givebutter, Donorbox, Classy, and Fundly.

What makes a GoFundMe go viral? ›

Use High-Quality Media:Include engaging photos or videos related to your cause. Visuals can significantly impact the success of your campaign. Set a Realistic Goal:Be transparent about why you need the funds and how the goal amount was determined. Share on Social Media:Post your GoFundMe link on all you.

What is the downside of GoFundMe? ›

Transaction fees: GoFundMe transaction fees can be up to 8% per donation. Payment delays: Depending on your payment processor (i.e PayPal or WePay), payments can take up to 7 days to 30 days before being made available for use by campaigners via their GoFundMe account dashboard.

Can I fundraise for myself? ›

Yes – you can absolutely fundraise for yourself. You can use individual fundraisers to gather donations for just about any cause, as long as the money goes where you say it will.

What happens if GoFundMe doesnt reach goal? ›

Even if you don't reach your goal, you can withdraw every cent, minus the transaction fees. This is unlike other donation platforms that take an all-or-nothing approach, meaning you can only receive the donations if you reach your target.

Where is the best place to promote GoFundMe? ›

All of GoFundMe's fundraiser sharing options
  1. Create a Facebook Life Event. Facebook Life Events can increase your reach exponentially. ...
  2. Share on Facebook. Our research shows that Facebook shares are valuable. ...
  3. Post a fundraiser update. ...
  4. Tweet your fundraiser link. ...
  5. Share by email.

How do you ask a celebrity for donations? ›

Use powerful and high-impact words to tell them about your cause. Saying the right things about how they can positively help your cause compels them to offer their help and support. Do not write a long and confusing letter to your celebrity. Keep the information short and simple.

What is a good donation message? ›

“Please donate” message example

Dear [Name], Right now, we're facing [current challenge]. We need just [donation amount] more to meet our goal and [impact]. Please donate to [cause] today to ensure we have the strength to [impact].

How much of a cut does GoFundMe take from donations? ›

GoFundMe is a for-profit company. It charges a 2.9% payment-processing fee on each donation, along with 30 cents for every donation. That means if a campaign raised $1,000 through 10 donations of $100 each, GoFundMe would collect about $32.

Why does GoFundMe charge 15%? ›

In place at GoFundMe since 2017, The Tip amount is meant to support the platform itself, covering operational costs and enabling the platform to continue to deliver its services. The platform adds 15% at checkout. Yes, you read that correctly, 15%. It's the default amount they ask of donors to cover site fees.

What percentage of donations does GoFundMe take? ›

GoFundMe charges one transaction fee—that's it. So, what percentage does GoFundMe take for transaction fees? A transaction fee of 2.9% +$0.30 is automatically deducted from each donation, so you never have to worry about paying a bill.

What is 2.9% of $100 mean? ›

- 2.9% of $100 is $2.90.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Rueben Jacobs

Last Updated:

Views: 5361

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (77 voted)

Reviews: 84% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Rueben Jacobs

Birthday: 1999-03-14

Address: 951 Caterina Walk, Schambergerside, CA 67667-0896

Phone: +6881806848632

Job: Internal Education Planner

Hobby: Candle making, Cabaret, Poi, Gambling, Rock climbing, Wood carving, Computer programming

Introduction: My name is Rueben Jacobs, I am a cooperative, beautiful, kind, comfortable, glamorous, open, magnificent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.