If you are creating a fundraiser in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, or Canada, GoFundMe has two different fundraiser types to choose from: personal or charity. We compare the differences between these two options below:
| Personal or Organization | Charity | |
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Causes you can raise money for |
Read our terms for more information. |
If you want a charity to use the funds for a specific purpose, we recommend that you get in touch with them before raising funds to ask if they can accommodate. |
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Where will the money be transferred to |
GoFundMe organizer sets up bank transfers to either:
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The GoFundMe organizer doesn’t handle the money; funds are sent directly to the charity by PayPal Giving Fund. |
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Bank transfer frequencies |
Automatic transfers can be sent daily, weekly, or monthly*. |
Charities enrolled with PayPal Giving Fund receive payouts at the end of each month for the money donated before the 15th of that month. Charities not enrolled with PayPal Giving Fund will receive a mailed check within 3-5 months of the first donation. Learn more about enrollment here. |
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Payment processing |
Donations process through Adyen, or Stripe, and money is sent to the GoFundMe organizer or beneficiary's bank account. |
Donations process through PayPal and money is paid out to charities by PayPal Giving Fund. |
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Issuing Refunds |
The GoFundMe Organizer, or assigned beneficiary, can request refunds of donations. These can be processed if the funds have not been transferred and the donations were made in the last 180 days. |
Charity donations are typically non-refundable. This is because donations are typically irrevocable and undesignated contributions, and there may be tax implications for the charity and/or donor as a result of refunds. Donations made to charity fundraisers are subject to the terms found here. |
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Donor tax deductions |
Donations are typically personal gifts and are not guaranteed to be tax-deductible. |
Donors receive receipts from PayPal Giving Fund, which may allow them to claim tax benefits. |
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Fees |
*In Canada, only daily transfers are available for certain accounts.
How to set up a fundraiser for an individual or for an organization
On the first fundraiser creation page, you will need to select "Myself or Someone else" when asked who the funds are for. After you've finished creating your fundraiser you will be able to set up bank transfers for yourself, for another person, or for an organization.
When setting up the bank transfers, follow the steps to set up the proper individual. Be sure to choose who receives the money wisely, since you can't change who handles the funds after they have already been sent to their bank account.
If you represent an organization setting up a fundraiser, the beneficial owner at the organization must receive the funds. If you don't know the beneficial owner, you must receive the funds in your personal bank account, then send them to the organization outside of GoFundMe.
A beneficial owner is someone with significant responsibility to control, manage, or direct the organization (e.g., a Chief Executive Officer, Vice President, Treasurer, or a controller).
How to create a charity fundraiser
To set up a charity fundraiser, you will need to choose "Nonprofit or organization" and fill out the charity's information on the fundraiser creation page. Be careful to make sure you’re selecting the correct organization since we cannot direct the funds to another organization once raised.
If you don’t see the organization listed, you will need to ask the person in charge of the finances at the organization to enroll with PayPal Giving Fund.
To create a charity fundraiser for a charity you work for, sign up for a GoFundMe charity account at this link. You'll then follow the steps above to create the fundraiser.
Check to see if your charity is already on our list here.
Learn more about how to get on the GoFundMe charity list if you don't see your organization in our system.