Getting Started on GoFundMe

Since you’ve already worked with our personalized fundraising coach, you’re well on your way to starting your GoFundMe. You might have questions before publishing your fundraiser, so we’ve gathered important information about fundraising on GoFundMe in this article. 

If you have additional or more specific questions, click the “Contact us” button on this page to connect directly with our Care team. If you navigate away from this page, you’ll still be able to contact our Care team, but you’ll also need to chat with Ray, our HelperBot, before connecting.

• Creating a GoFundMe fundraiser
• Sharing your fundraiser
• Setting up transfers

Creating a GoFundMe fundraiser

‘Sierra bot’ will take you through each of these steps, but you’ll still need to input your own details and information about why you’re fundraising. You can review each step in more detail below.

1. Start with the basics
   • Choose your location–This is where funds will be withdrawn. Remember, you can’t send funds across different currencies.
   • Your category–Sierra bot will automatically choose your category for you, so you don’t need to worry about this! 
   • Who you're raising funds for–If you won’t be withdrawing funds yourself, you’ll need to add a beneficiary, and then they can set up their own transfers.
2. Write your story and choose a title
   • Give Sierra bot as much information as possible about why you’re fundraising. The more details it has, the better story and title it can create for your fundraiser. It will ask you clarifying questions if it needs more detail, but think along the lines of what happened, who did it happen to, and how am I feeling? Sharing your thoughts and feelings about the situation can really help keep donors engaged with your fundraiser.
3. Pick a goal amount
   • If you know that there’s a specific amount of money that will be needed, you can confidently set that goal amount. If you’re more unsure, ask Sierra bot to provide a suggested amount, and know that you can always edit this later.
4. Add your cover media
   • You can add a photo or video as the main media on your fundraiser. You’ll need to add this yourself after finishing with Sierra bot. Whichever you choose, be sure it’s clear and well-lit and something that potential donors can easily connect to the reason for your fundraiser. 
5. Publish!
   • Check out this video for a few more things to know before getting started with sharing your fundraiser. 

Sharing your fundraiser

Sharing your fundraiser often and in multiple ways is one of the keys to success. You’ll need to consistently remind others that you’re fundraising and would appreciate their support.

Start with your close contacts

Text or call those you interact with the most. Let them know about your fundraiser and ask them to donate, share, and partner with you on the fundraiser. They can become co-organizers, share QR code flyers, or commit to sharing the fundraiser around their workplaces. They can help you with those important first few donations to get your fundraiser rolling.

Share on social media

Cast a wider net for supporters on social media. Include details about why you’re fundraising, and ask others to share and repost your posts and stories. Be sure to add your link to bios and in the posts if possible. For example, you can add clickable link stickers to Instagram stories.

Continue sharing consistently

Only sharing a few times right after publishing your fundraiser won’t be enough to reach your goal. Your close friends and acquaintances will need consistent reminders about why you’re fundraising and what their support would mean. You can also continue to engage with donors by posting updates and thanking donors.

Setting up transfers

You'll be able to start setting up transfers as soon as your fundraiser is created–even before you've received any donations! Through your fundraiser dashboard you'll be able to access the transfer setup, which will walk you through the process of adding your persona and bank information, or sending an invitation for someone else to transfer funds to their own bank account. 

Check out this video for more details about the process!

Want more help setting up your fundraiser?

Click "Contact us" to speak with a member of our Customer Care team.