4.6
4.6
GoFundMe, the world's largest crowdfunding platform, is committed to turning compassion into action by providing individuals, teams, organizations, and nonprofits with the means to raise money for the causes they care about.
The process of creating a GoFundMe campaign is quick and easy. Users must first create a GoFundMe account, through with they set a fundraiser goal, tell their story, and then share the campaign with friends via email, text, and/or social media. Once donations begin coming in, users can easily manage funds and withdraw them as needed.
Whatever your fundraising needs may be, GoFundMe is a great option. Continue reading for pros and cons, and GoFundMe reviews from real customers.
GoFundMe uses a 'Keep What You Raised' funding type. With GoFundMe, reaching your goal is not required. This works well because you keep each and every donation you receive, no matter if you are running a personal campaign or a campaign on behalf of a team or organization. Some other crowdfunding campaign platforms operate under an "all-or-nothing" model, meaning that if you don't reach your fundraising goal, you won't receive any money.
GoFundMe doesn't charge anything to create and share your online fundraising campaign, nor do they charge for using the platform. GoFundMe is almost entirely free except for the payment processing fee or transaction fee, which is approximately 3 percent and will be deducted from each donation. This fee helps GoFundMe remain as a safe place to donate.
There is no partial or non-completion fee in the case you do not complete your campaign. There are crowdfunding companies that do charge you a fee if you fail to meet your campaign goal, so this is definitely a perk of going with GoFundMe.
Many crowdfunding platforms using donation models for individuals have a maximum amount or limit to what funding amount you can raise. GoFundMe has no funding limit. This lets you raise as much as you want or need in one campaign.
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. In some cases, users have left their campaigns up indefinitely as a lasting memory of all the wonderful comments and support they received. This is a great policy for personal fundraisers. Sometimes people can't donate within 30 or 40 days (a typical deadline for many crowdfunding platforms), so having an indefinite deadline can work well.
Through GoFundMe Charity, charities across North America can support and amplify their causes, subscription-free. Designed specifically for nonprofit organizations, the platform provides access to a variety of resources, including donor analytics and event registration software and more.
GoFundMe offers users several automated features for administrative tasks, which are extremely helpful for individuals trying to run an effective campaign without past experience. Even if they have experience, admin tasks take a lot of time and can get confusing the larger the donator pool gets.
GoFundMe's automotive administrative task features include: Thank You Messages: You can thank donators individually by selecting a recent donation and clicking the 'Say Thanks' button. GoFundMe will let you personalize the message and send it directly to the donor's email address.
Update Feature: 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. GoFundMe's 'Update' feature is a great way to keep your campaign fresh and your donators up to date without having to do it manually, which would take a lot of time away from campaigning.
Quick Assistance: GoFundMe will generally respond to your emails within 30 minutes during the day with any questions you have about your campaign.
Typically on crowdfunding platforms you have to wait until the end of your campaign to begin collecting funds. With GoFundMe, you can request your money right away as the donations come in or you can choose to withdraw your balance directly to your bank account (campaigns in the US may also request a check). Withdrawals may be made daily, weekly, or monthly and will always process for the full available balance in the user's WePay account. Funds may be received via electronic bank transfer within 2-5 business days, or paper check within 7-10 business days. (Daily checks are not available, weekly or monthly only.)
Although you can request a withdrawal at any time, the time it takes to receive funds is a bit long when compared to other crowdfunding sites that can sometimes do it in as soon as 24 hours.
GoFundMe operates as a Donation Model. Equity model campaigns are not offered through GoFundMe. A donation model is a good thing for personal fundraising, but GoFundMe recommends signing up with your Facebook account if you want to appear in GoFundMe's Public Search Directory.
Although this is optional, it actually isn't if you want your campaign to be featured publicly on their website. Not everyone has a Facebook account or wants to open one, or perhaps they would prefer to keep their profile off a public platform like GoFundMe.
It's important to note that although PayPal Giving Fund is GoFundMe's payment processor for their charity campaigns, there is still no PayPal for personal fundraising.
It's no surprise that GoFundMe is one of the world's most popular crowdfunding sites. The company is highly successful. Customer Happiness representatives deliver answers to questions in a timely manner, (often within 30 minutes or less of submission), there's plenty of flexibility with funding options, and there are no limits on how much you can raise and no time restraints. GoFundMe is also the cheapest crowdfunding platform out there. A downside is that equity model campaigns are not offered and PayPal cannot be used for personal fundraising, but all in all, users can expect a convenient, simple experience when funding.
Based on customer reviews, the majority of which are positive, we would recommend GoFundMe for your fundraising needs. Satisfied customers most often remark on how easy it is to use GoFundMe, including setting up a campaign and managing funds. In addition, they note how GoFundMe is a trustworthy company and they feel comfortable donating through the platform. Of the negative reviews, customers most often detail withdrawal difficulties and unexplained account issues.
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Adam Scondo
4 months ago
Hank Ricardo
5 months ago
Stephanie Bloniarz
7 months ago
TC B Florissant, CO
10 months ago Edited December 8, 2023
Deborah Dyer Hendersonville, TN
1 year ago
Kathleen Titus Brandon, FL
6 years ago
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Oct. 5th, 2018
Gene Hafermann Madison, WI
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Lezlie Neeley Edinburg, TX
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Denise Merritt Island, FL
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Debi Jibilian Fremont, OH
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May. 7th, 2018
Tonia kirk Covington, KY
6 years ago
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Apr. 23rd, 2018
Tabatha Keeley Wagener, SC
6 years ago
Candy Gamble Lake Wales, FL
6 years ago
Cathy Obrien Cherry Hill, NJ
6 years ago
Josh Hubert
6 years ago
Kimberly Van Havere Trenton, NJ
6 years ago
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Mar. 9th, 2018
paul mills Henderson, NV
6 years ago
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Leandre
6 years ago
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Mar. 9th, 2018
Neil Garrio Peekskill, NY
6 years ago
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Mar. 9th, 2018
Annie Hickey
6 months ago
George 97 North Bergen, NJ
9 months ago
Kristiane R Durfey Orem, UT
2 years ago Edited March 1, 2022
Brittney Mac Gregor Louisville, KY
3 years ago
Marie Doherty
6 years ago
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Oct. 18th, 2018
Donna Powers
6 years ago
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Oct. 18th, 2018
William Mayhew Long Branch, TX
6 years ago
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Oct. 10th, 2018
Wes Wong Dublin, CA
6 years ago
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Julie Buckley Butte, MT
6 years ago
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sharon cusick Yorkville, IL
6 years ago
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Susan McDonald Madison, WI
6 years ago
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Oct. 5th, 2018
Glenda
6 years ago
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Sep. 1st, 2018
Dasha Fletcher Indian Head, MD
6 years ago
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Sonya Pellerin
6 years ago
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Amanda Whitten Phoenix, AZ
6 years ago
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Sharon Connolly Woburn, MA
6 years ago
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Jun. 14th, 2018
Cathy Reich Huntington, IN
6 years ago
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Jun. 14th, 2018
Fiona Baldisseri
6 years ago
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Jun. 13th, 2018
Jeff Wolford Cleveland, OH
6 years ago
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Jun. 13th, 2018
Lily San Diego, CA
6 years ago
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Jun. 13th, 2018
Julia Wesson Fincastle, VA
6 years ago
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Daniel Franco New Virginia, IA
6 years ago
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Jun. 13th, 2018
Jane B Erway
6 years ago
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Jun. 13th, 2018
Robin Lloyd Paulden, AZ
6 years ago
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Jun. 13th, 2018
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