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Go Fund Me -- some questions (Original Post) madamesilverspurs Oct 2018 OP
I've never set up an account True Dough Oct 2018 #1
Haven't set one up, but have donated to three. Totally Tunsie Oct 2018 #2
I have, and was very surprised at how pnwest Oct 2018 #3
I'm pretty leery about any of the on-line donation appeals. Fla Dem Oct 2018 #4

True Dough

(17,091 posts)
1. I've never set up an account
Thu Oct 25, 2018, 09:23 PM
Oct 2018

but I given to three GoFundMe campaigns this year. All people I knew whom I could verify were actually in need of financial help. I haven't stopped giving to cancer and heart fundraisers, or the local major hospital, but I feel better about helping out friends/acquaintances.

Totally Tunsie

(10,885 posts)
2. Haven't set one up, but have donated to three.
Thu Oct 25, 2018, 09:50 PM
Oct 2018

Two were for local families facing hardship - one dealing with a draining family illness, and the second with victims of a house fire. The collections did very well, and were greatly appreciated by the recipients.

The other was a bummer. As a huge N.E. Patriots fan, I was drawn into a GFM that was ultimately going to be donated to the Patriots' charity. It was set up by a guy out of Seattle (so he said) who was a transplanted fan of the team. This was at the time of "Deflategate" when Tom Brady was being maligned so badly. A whole bunch of people donated - some big, but most gave $12 in honor of Tom's #12. The Fund amassed over $16,000 in a very short time and then...disappeared. No updates, no news, nada. Someone contacted the GFM administrators who, oddly, had no information about the disbursement of the funds raised, and no donation had been made to the Patriots' charity in that amount. We've come to conclude that "guy from Seattle" made a quick $16K for his Christmas shopping.

Fortunately, I was in for only $12, but I'm limiting my donations to local situations only now.

pnwest

(3,265 posts)
3. I have, and was very surprised at how
Fri Oct 26, 2018, 01:54 AM
Oct 2018

friends and folks in the community stepped up! I exceeded my goal by about 80%. The most successful campaigns are those that offer the donor something in return. Example, donate $25, get x. Donate $50 and get x and y, etc... It was very easy to do, and no trouble at all getting my money. The setup is easy, site is very user friendly.

Fla Dem

(23,351 posts)
4. I'm pretty leery about any of the on-line donation appeals.
Fri Oct 26, 2018, 10:35 AM
Oct 2018

I have given to some. There was one posted here about kitten rescues. It was I think sometime this year. They were rescuing feral kitten litters, getting them medically checked out, shots and fixed. Needed funds for their efforts.

I was hesitant because we did have a scammer here a few years back who took a number of DU'ers for a lot of money. Eventually they were exposed and the money was returned to contributors by GFM. But it did leave many of us skeptical about GFM requests.

The kitten rescue had pictures of the kittens and of the invoices from the vet. I felt relatively confident in contributing. I did get follow updates on their progress so feel it was a good cause.

Anyway no real advice, expect include any real evidence you can that will support your need for funds.

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