Anyone have any experience with GoFundMe?

[intheflow]

I'm a library science student and one of the student groups I'm in is looking to raise money for a caseworker reference library at two local homeless shelters. This was a fundraising idea that came up. Seems legit and easy to use/manage, but I'd love to hear from people who have actually used it before committing.

Have you used it / know someone who used it? Heard great stuff or nightmares through the grapevine? Please share!

[cwydro]

1. There should be plenty of peeps here who know how.

Several recent threads by posters asking for money due to bad circumstances...

[intheflow]

2. Kicking for the evening crowd.

[cwydro]

3. The last thread asking for money through Gofundme

was by Torch the Witch. Maybe you can find that thread. There were a lot of instructions there as to how to set up an account.

I have no idea myself.

[intheflow]

7. Thanks.

Helpful to have search criteria to find the thread.

[elleng]

4. I've contributed to friends and relatives through it,

and haven't heard anything bad. Seems to be a good source, for those who are interested in a particular matter.

[intheflow]

9. I've only heard positive things so far.

There are some drawbacks to the percentage of donations they keep, but not one person has said they didn't reach their financial goals or the company screwed with them. So it's looking pretty legit. Thanks, elleng!

[Kali]

5. when we were doing the MFM memorial thing

I looked into it but they kept a bigger percent than just doing a paypal set up. I think gofundme has more options to keep emails going out and for mass updates, and it may be a little more transparent in that I believe it keeps a running tally of donations that are accessible for view, but for me the bottom line was more of the money going to the project.

[intheflow]

8. I can appreciate that.

I think they keep about 5% of each donation. But considering the secure server hosting and the security people with have with the site's name recognition, I think that's ok. Site admin have to make a living, right. Plus, our goal is small ($800) but we will be sending this out to a large group of people (hoping to reach at least 2500 with the first email wave throughout campus) so I don't think it will impact us that much. But I can see your point and will keep it in mind when I talk with my cohorts about this. Thanks, Kali.

[dolphinsandtuna]

6. a little

I know nothing about what they charge, etc. but there was a DU thread asking for help via GoFundMe. I contributed, then GFM withdrew all my contributions since I had supplied all the correct info, name, etc. but went anonymous in the comments. Made the recipient think some evil creep was messing with her. It got straightened out, but left a very bad taste in my mouth.

I would look for an alternative.

[Saphire]

10. my sister set one up for me

And it was great. They deposited the monies weekly to her bank account, then she'd send me the money. Haven't reached our goal, but it is helping us out.

http://www.gofundme.com/cxy1wo