Go Fund Me... No Thanks

[missy]

So for example.
My niece is doing a go fund me for the bees.
And I asked my sister do the bees get 100% of the donations?
I have donated before to people and animals in need through Go Fund Me.
But never asked the question about does 100% of the donation go to the cause..

Anyway the answer is NO.
If you use Go Fund Me there are administrative fees.
I don't know if this applies to all Go Fund Me requests.
But because this one has administrative fees I am mailing my niece a check instead.

I wanted to get your thoughts about Go Fund Me.
I see there is some good but I also feel it is way over used and abused even.
It seems everywhere we look there is a Go Fund Me.
Not just for critical issues but for use for non important stuff too.
This desensitizes us all.
And perhaps causes us to overlook the Go Fund Me causes that are very important

What are your thoughts?
And are there better solutions?
What did we all do in the old days?
I know I always researched causes dear to me and sent money to those I wanted to help
But it seems Go Fund Me is the most visible way to donate now
Is it a win for these organizations or just another middle man taking their cut?

 

[finerthings]

I used to think that Go Fund Me was a really good way to donate to small private worthwhile causes. However my mind has changed now because I don't trust the very people that are seeking the donations. So many people are taking advantage of Go Fund Me for their own pockets and making up fake reasons for needing money.

 

[Karl_K]

They are not bad as far as charging a fee goes.

Transaction fee: A fee of 2.9% plus $0.30 is deducted from each donation to cover payment processing

That is one of the lowest credit card processing fees you will find. Many business pay more for some cards.

Recurring donations: For some US fundraisers, donors can choose monthly recurring donations, which come with a 5% fee per donation.

Even 5% is not outrageous for credit card fees on that.
The processors charge more for leaving it open than a one and done.

You want to hear outrageous:
youtube keeps 30% of everything sent to creators on youtube.

 

[Janabike]

I organized my first ever GoFundMe campaign for one of my coworkers last December. Which means I learned how the backend works, as well as the front facing donation page.

I am a healthcare worker. I set up the GoFundMe campaign for a coworker, whose husband was involved in a terrible accident that resulted in paralysis. They are both modest income, healthcare workers themselves, so I thought the fund would help with extra expenses related to time off work, accessible home changes they might need to make and give them a little bit of breathing room while they tried to sort out their new situation. Plus, people are always asking what they can do to help, and a donation is something tangible that can be done. My coworker initially was reluctant to have me set up a GoFundMe. I kept telling her that because we couldn’t do anything about the real problem (the accident and paralysis) It was the one tangible thing we could do to help.

From the back end, I will say that GoFundMe staff did a lot of things to verify that the situation was real before releasing any funds. I know they can only do so much, but it turned out to be surprisingly hard to get the money flowing forward which ultimately I think is a good thing.

One of the problems with GoFundMe’s is that the campaign has to go viral in order to raise a large sum of money. The campaigns that seem to do the best in terms of overall dollar amount are the ones where people put up sad pictures of the intended recipient, intubated in a hospital bed, and or release a lot of personal details about the health situation, which can feel intrusive at a time where people are having a lot of stress.

The couple I was raising the funds for did not want to lay bare their personal situation. We ended up raising a modest amount of money compared to the campaigns that go viral. I think we could’ve raised a lot more if they had been willing to be interviewed by the news local news media who were interested, and
share their personal story in excruciating detail. Understandably, they did not want to do that.

Giving money to organizations is a good thing. But there are so many other needs where it is not really possible to get any help. There really is no safety net for so many situations. A GoFundMe can help with this.

 

[missy]

I set up the GoFundMe campaign for a coworker, whose husband was involved in a terrible accident that resulted in paralysis.

I am so sorry about your friend and hope he is doing well. And yes in certain cases it can really be a huge help. I get why they didn't want to put up photos though. Definitely intrusive when one is going through such a traumatic experience

They are not bad as far as charging a fee goes.

Transaction fee: A fee of 2.9% plus $0.30 is deducted from each donation to cover payment processing

That is one of the lowest credit card processing fees you will find. Many business pay more for some cards.

Recurring donations: For some US fundraisers, donors can choose monthly recurring donations, which come with a 5% fee per donation.

Even 5% is not outrageous for credit card fees on that.
The processors charge more for leaving it open than a one and done.

You want to hear outrageous:
youtube keeps 30% of everything sent to creators on youtube.

You're right. Not bad at all.
Wow regarding nyoutube. That is outrageous

I used to think that Go Fund Me was a really good way to donate to small private worthwhile causes. However my mind has changed now because I don't trust the very people that are seeking the donations. So many people are taking advantage of Go Fund Me for their own pockets and making up fake reasons for needing money.

Yeah it can be challenging sometimes to know who is real and who isn't because they mostly all tug at my heartstrings. What didn't tug at my heartstrings was a Go Fund Me friends started for their honeymoon. They are older (he's 66) and well off. IDK it rubbed me the wrong way. I give cash for weddings anyway so it basically the same thing but starting a GO Fund Me for a honeymoon in Japan was over the top IMO.

 

[Avondale]

You want to hear outrageous:
youtube keeps 30% of everything sent to creators on youtube.

YouTube is considered generous. The main alternative with which YouTube is competing in the streaming sector is Twitch and they take 50%.

 

[Janabike]

OMG Missy! GoFundMe for a honeymoon in Japan?? Those are the kind of campaigns that give GoFundMe a bad reputation.

 

[missy]

OMG Missy! GoFundMe for a honeymoon in Japan?? Those are the kind of campaigns that give GoFundMe a bad reputation.

I thought it was outrageous

YouTube is considered generous. The main alternative with which YouTube is competing in the streaming sector is Twitch and they take 50%.

Wow

 

[dk168]

My local branch of a big global service charity uses a different provider, namely JustGiving to accept donations online or via scanning a QR code that is linked to our donation page.

I do not know why JustGiving was chosen as it was set up before my time.

I had donated to Go Fund Me before only, and have no idea about their fees/charges.

I donate to good causes that appeal to me, not those for individual gains such as weddings/travels/purchases/etc., if you know what I mean.

DK

 

[Lookinagain]

I generally donate directly to the charity or 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and not through other channels. I figure that way they get all the money. Go Fund Me's that are actually helping people in dire straits are fine and now that I've read @Janabike's post saying that they do adequate due diligence, I may not be so hesitant to go that way. Those campaigns for personal things like weddings really aggravate me, so I would never give to any of those.

 

[Bron357]

I’ve donated to a few Go Fund Me campaigns. All were for animals that had been injured and the owners couldn’t afford the vet bills. Two were companion/ therapy dogs and their loss would have been awful for the owners.
Interestingly there was a lot of comments about how the Vets should have waived fees or reduced the cost. It got a bit nasty to be honest.
I don’t have a problem with the platform charging fees, nothing is free in life, and the structure does facilitate the safe and fast donation of funds.
Another method from my Facebook groups is a direct deposit to the Vet hospital. One in particular did very well, in excess of the amount needed, so the Vet offered free desexing to pensioners / those on benefits. I thought that doubly good!

 

[LilAlex]

Mixed feelings. We have a family member who had a life-changing injury a couple years ago. Friend of theirs set up a GoFundMe. It was super-helpful for them but still only a tiny fraction of what care will cost. We chose (and choose) to give directly to the injured family member. Someone noticed our "absence" from the GoFundMe donor list and appealed to us directly, which was a little annoying.

I think they still have their place and role but it has devolved into an easy, unvettable money-grab in some instances.

 

[sledge]

IMO, the cause matters. GoFundMe is just a mechanism to obtain the funds. Sure, it would be better with 0 fees but it offers convenience and the ability of those seeking funds to take electronic payments, which is the majority of transactions these days.

Can you write a check or give cash? Sure. I’ve done both, but that isn’t how most the world works. I’m thinking back to the last time we used a paper check. Think it is our cleaning service. Maybe we are more progressive as our primary bank is USAA who has very few physical branches but crazy convenient. We use a local bank to transfer cash, etc.

We recently gave to a GoFundMe for one of my life long friends daughter. She had brain surgery as a young child. Now as a young adult she is having seizures & requires a special medically trained dog. The dog & training is very expensive. She’s busting her butt to do it herself because that’s her character but she simply needs a hand. I was at her and her 2 sisters birth and been in the majority of their lives. We may not share blood but I’ve been “uncle” since birth and would do anything for them. It was never a question if I give so much as how much I was giving.

The bum on the street corner? I will bring him breakfast or offer him a job but I won’t give cash. You have to want to help yourself.

 

[Mreader]

I think it can be a good platform for those who really need it. But all of these sad stories just underscore how healthcare in the United States needs overhaul.

I have been annoyed when GoFundMe are for things that don’t seem like a worthy cause. For example, I had a family member who was doing a studio album and set up a go fund me for that! There was another acquaintance I knew who was basically a deadbeat dad and his child lived in Australia yet he chose to move back to United States. It showed him going to concerts and Coachella yet he started to go fund me so that he could get his daughter over to the US and take her to Disney. I found the whole thing very distasteful! Other times I’ve seen GoFundMe when the person was in a bad medical way, but they were professionals with full-time jobs and insurance. So I feel that people take advantage of GoFundMe sometimes.

 

[sledge]

I think it can be a good platform for those who really need it. But all of these sad stories just underscore how healthcare in the United States needs overhaul.

I have been annoyed when GoFundMe are for things that don’t seem like a worthy cause. For example, I had a family member who was doing a studio album and set up a go fund me for that! There was another acquaintance I knew who was basically a deadbeat dad and his child lived in Australia yet he chose to move back to United States. It showed him going to concerts and Coachella yet he started to go fund me so that he could get his daughter over to the US and take her to Disney. I found the whole thing very distasteful! Other times I’ve seen GoFundMe when the person was in a bad medical way, but they were professionals with full-time jobs and insurance. So I feel that people take advantage of GoFundMe sometimes.

I absolutely get the frustration. I see lots of lame requests also. But is that GoFundMe’s fault or a lack of character on the person making the ask? How do you make it better? Do you want GFM to became a nanny/moderator of sorts? If you take it away, what about the good/legit causes?

The one thing I maintain control & discretion over are the causes I tend to donate towards. I try to use good judgment and give where I think it will make meaningful impact.

 

[Mreader]

I absolutely get the frustration. I see lots of lame requests also. But is that GoFundMe’s fault or a lack of character on the person making the ask? How do you make it better? Do you want GFM to became a nanny/moderator of sorts? If you take it away, what about the good/legit causes?

The one thing I maintain control & discretion over are the causes I tend to donate towards. I try to use good judgment and give where I think it will make meaningful impact.

Oh yes I wasn't insinuating it should go away; just talking about how it can be annoying and how there are GFM for crazy things like the honeymoon Missy mentioned.

 

[Arcadian]

My sister used it for help with her Leukemia. It was just easier to send people to one link for the info instead of repeating things over and over. My donation wasn't just monetary but of other things (she needed an adjustable bed, needed someone to help her around the house, certain treatments needed to be paid for right away) so my donations were direct. I hate calling them donations because shit, I couldn't write them off for taxes or anything! Thats my sister I was always going to help her.

The side I hate about stuff like this is some family members sent me messages asking why I haven't donated To which the cleanest thing I said was "mindyabizness and get out of my pocketbook" I'm truly my mother's daughter...lol

 

[Ibrakeforpossums]

Marjorie Taylor Green - her son's 22nd birthday. Go away.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

. We chose (and choose) to give directly to the injured family member. Someone noticed our "absence" from the GoFundMe donor list and appealed to us directly, which was a little annoying.

it was like they were spying on you

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

the high pofile ones here in the media are often for funneral costs - little kiddies in some tradgidy or kids who's parenst have died in a car crash (excuse my spelling, the covid headache is really bad)
one at the moment is for a young kiddie who died in a dog attach and had no mother or father being brought up by nana and pop
sometimes people without insurence who travel overseas and need to get home with a broken back or something
dont go overseas if you cant afford insurence
or people who dont have insurence when mother nature throws her toys out of the cot

 

[missy]

the high pofile ones here in the media are often for funneral costs - little kiddies in some tradgidy or kids who's parenst have died in a car crash (excuse my spelling, the covid headache is really bad)
one at the moment is for a young kiddie who died in a dog attach and had no mother or father being brought up by nana and pop
sometimes people without insurence who travel overseas and need to get home with a broken back or something
dont go overseas if you cant afford insurence
or people who dont have insurence when mother nature throws her toys out of the cot

There is so much need and I agree with everyone who said it is about the specific cause rather than the mode of giving.
I like to write a check directly and that is basically what I usually do

 

[RMOO]

Generally speaking, I have a distaste for GFM. I usually give directly to those I know personally, no "randoms" who have had a spat of bad luck. The worst I have seen was a story done by the local news (this fact insulted me more than the GFM itself) that included info on the GFM account for a woman who sold her house, giving the proceeds, as well as her life savings to a person she encountered on Facebook, who told her he was Mark Harmon (yes the actor/director currently married to Pam Dawber.) He was coming to marry her but needed money to pay the crew on his current job before he left.

It may be cold, but I don't suffer fools with this measure of stupidity.

 

[tyty333]

Generally speaking, I have a distaste for GFM. I usually give directly to those I know personally, no "randoms" who have had a spat of bad luck. The worst I have seen was a story done by the local news (this fact insulted me more than the GFM itself) that included info on the GFM account for a woman who sold her house, giving the proceeds, as well as her life savings to a person she encountered on Facebook, who told her he was Mark Harmon (yes the actor/director currently married to Pam Dawber.) He was coming to marry her but needed money to pay the crew on his current job before he left.

It may be cold, but I don't suffer fools with this measure of stupidity.

I still don't understand how people fall for these romance scams. It's not like they're new or anything. I feel like a person
has to be somewhat mentally incapacitated to fall for it, but I'm pretty sure that's not always the case. It makes me sad.