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Organizing a fundraiser for the California Wildfires

Our hearts are with those impacted by the wildfires in California. If you are creating a fundraiser for yourself, or someone else impacted by the fires, we are here to help.

 

How can I start a fundraiser? 

You can create a fundraiser for yourself or for someone impacted by the fires. If you are not personally connected to the fires but would like to help, you may consider donating to a verified fundraiser on our hub or to the GoFundMe.org Wildfire Relief Fund.

A fundraiser can be started with just a few quick steps. You can learn about each step in our article Creating a GoFundMe from start to finish.

If you are starting a fundraiser for someone other than yourself, please make sure your fundraiser story clearly states your connection to them and your detailed plan to deliver funds. If they're able to receive funds directly to their own bank account please add them as the beneficiary. Do not enter their bank information on your own account.

Why is there a review process and what do I do if my fundraiser is under review? 

GoFundMe is committed to ensuring that the funds reach the communities and people in need.  To do so, we may place a temporary hold on your fundraiser to verify your information. We apologize for the inconvenience, but please know that our teams work quickly and diligently to complete these reviews and help ensure the safety of our platform.

If there is a hold on your fundraiser, please reply directly to the email from our team titled "Important Message” or "Urgent Message” to resolve the hold. If you’re unable to find the email, you can share your information with our team by filling out this form.

How much does GoFundMe cost? 

There is no fee to start or manage your GoFundMe fundraiser. Once you start receiving donations, a standard transaction fee is automatically deducted from each donation. In the US, there is a 2.9% + $0.30 fee per donation. You can find an interactive fees calculator on our pricing page.

Donors have the option to leave a voluntary tip for GoFundMe. The decision to leave a tip is up to the donor, who can change the tip amount to 0. You can learn more about tipping in our Learn about fees article.

What is GoFundMe.org's Wildfire relief fund? 

GoFundMe.org's Wildfire Relief Fund was created to provide swift and direct relief to people in need in the aftermath of a domestic (U.S.) wildfire.

We are currently supporting relief and recovery efforts related to the wildfires burning in L.A. County by sending emergency relief grants of $1,000 each to individuals who have lost homes, loved ones and property due to the fires.

We’re sending grants out as quickly as we can verify beneficiaries. There is no application process for these grants. So that our team can identify eligible fundraisers, we recommend that people ensure their fundraiser story is as complete as possible, clearly stating their impact from the fires. Once a fundraiser connected to the LA County wildfires has set up withdrawals and begins fundraising, we will review it for a grant.

How do I get my fundraiser on the Wildfire Relief hub page? 

Our team is actively identifying and verifying fundraisers to be added to the page. If you have additional questions about being listed, you can click the “Contact us” button and input your question or request. 

While being featured on our pages can be a useful way to showcase a fundraiser, it's really important to remember that fundraisers that receive the most support start with building momentum within their own communities. This article is a helpful resource on how to share your fundraiser.

Will fundraising impact benefits from FEMA? 

According to FEMA’s website, “By law, FEMA cannot duplicate benefits you receive from another source. However, there are many different types of assistance available through FEMA and we review each application to ensure you receive the aid for which you are eligible.

If you receive money from a GoFundMe page for a specific disaster-related expense–such as home repairs, funeral expenses or other emergency needs—you may not be able to receive FEMA aid for the same expense. For example, if you receive donations to clean up storm damage to your home, FEMA may not be able to also grant you financial assistance for home clean up. We encourage all survivors to apply for assistance regardless so we can review your specific case.”

How do I get the money I raised? 

GoFundMe sends funds through electronic transfers to personal and business bank accounts. Fundraiser organizers will provide personal details and banking information so that collected funds are sent to the right place. You can learn more about how to transfer funds in our How to set up transfers article. 

What additional resources are available? 

GoFundMe is one of the tools that can help you during this difficult time. There are many other organizations dedicated to providing critical help to people impacted by the fires and other crises. We’ve gathered a few of these key emergency resources in this article.

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