Starting a GoFundMe page takes about 10 minutes and costs nothing upfront. The platform charges no listing fee; you only pay a transaction fee of 2.9% plus $0.30 per donation, deducted automatically before funds reach you. Here’s how to set up your campaign, get your money, and understand what to expect along the way.
Create Your Account and Choose a Beneficiary
Head to GoFundMe.com and click the “Start a GoFundMe” button. You’ll first enter the location where you plan to withdraw funds, since GoFundMe needs to know which country’s banking system to use. Then you’ll select who the money is for: yourself, someone else, or a registered charity. If you’re managing the funds personally, even on behalf of another person, choose “Yourself.” If you want donations sent directly to a nonprofit, choose “Charity.”
To create your account, you can sign in with Google, Facebook, or Apple, or enter your name, email address, and a password. The name you use here will appear publicly on your fundraiser page, so use your real name. Donors are more likely to trust and share a campaign tied to a real person.
Write Your Story and Set a Goal
Your story is the core of the campaign. GoFundMe requires at least 50 words, but aim for 100 or more. Explain clearly why you need help, how the money will be used, and what the situation looks like right now. Be specific: instead of “medical expenses,” say “three months of physical therapy after knee surgery.” People give more when they understand exactly where their money goes.
Your title has a 60-character limit, so keep it short and direct. Something like “Help Maria Cover Surgery Costs” works better than a vague phrase. Next, set your fundraising goal. This should reflect the actual amount you need. You can always adjust it later, and GoFundMe lets you withdraw funds before you hit your goal, so don’t inflate the number out of caution.
Add Photos or Video
Every campaign needs a cover image. The recommended size is 720 x 405 pixels, and the file must be a JPEG, PNG, or BMP. Choose a photo that shows the person or cause clearly. Campaigns with a strong, personal cover photo consistently raise more than those with generic or stock images.
If you want to include a video, it must be hosted on YouTube and set to Public. You can’t upload video files directly. A short video (one to two minutes) where you or the beneficiary speaks directly to the camera can be very effective, especially for medical or emergency campaigns. You can also add additional images throughout your story to show updates or context.
Launch and Share Your Campaign
Once you click “Launch fundraiser,” your page is live and can receive donations immediately. But launching is only the first step. Most GoFundMe campaigns raise the bulk of their money through personal sharing, not through people browsing the platform.
Share your campaign link directly with friends, family, and colleagues through text messages and email first. These are the people most likely to donate early, and early donations create momentum that encourages others to give. Then post it on social media. When you share, include a brief personal message rather than just dropping the link. Explain why the cause matters to you. Update your campaign regularly with new posts, even if it’s just to say thank you or report progress. Donors who see activity are more likely to share the page with their own networks.
What GoFundMe Charges
GoFundMe does not charge a platform fee. The only deduction is a transaction fee of 2.9% plus $0.30 per donation. On a $50 donation, for example, $1.75 goes to fees and you receive $48.25. This fee covers credit card, debit, ACH, PayPal, Venmo, Apple Pay, and Google Pay processing.
If a donor sets up a recurring donation, the fee is higher: 5% per donation instead of the standard rate. This is worth knowing but isn’t something you control as the organizer. Donors may also choose to leave an optional tip to GoFundMe at checkout, but that comes from the donor’s pocket, not yours.
How to Withdraw Your Funds
GoFundMe transfers money directly to a bank account. They do not issue checks, and online payment systems like PayPal, Venmo, or CashApp typically don’t meet their verification requirements. If you use an online bank, make sure it’s an actual bank (like Ally Bank) rather than a payment app.
To set up transfers, you’ll enter your bank details and personal information. Your name, date of birth, and address must match your government-issued ID exactly. Use your full legal name, not a nickname. Enter a physical address, not a PO box. If you manually enter your bank routing and account numbers instead of linking through an automated system, you’ll also need to upload a bank statement or document verifying the account.
Individual donations take up to 5 business days to process before they’re included in a transfer. Once you initiate a transfer, it takes another 2 to 5 business days to reach your bank account. So from the moment someone donates, expect roughly one to two weeks before that specific donation is in your hands.
Identity Verification Requirements
Before you can receive any funds, the person withdrawing the money must be at least 18 years old and pass identity verification. In the U.S., you’ll need to provide:
- A Social Security number or ITIN
- An unexpired government-issued photo ID (driver’s license, state ID, or passport)
- A U.S. phone number
- A residential address (not a PO box)
- A U.S. bank account in your name
The name on your bank account must match the name you entered in your personal information. GoFundMe’s payment processor may request additional documentation to verify your identity, so have these items ready before you launch. Delays in verification are one of the most common reasons organizers can’t access their funds quickly.
Tax Implications of GoFundMe Money
Whether your GoFundMe donations count as taxable income depends on why people gave. Under federal tax law, money received as a gift, meaning the donor gave out of generosity without expecting anything in return, is generally not taxable to the recipient. Most personal GoFundMe campaigns for medical bills, emergencies, or memorial costs fall into this category.
However, not all crowdfunding money qualifies as a gift. If donors receive something in return (like a product or service), the money may be taxable. Contributions from an employer to or for the benefit of an employee are generally considered taxable income as well.
GoFundMe or its payment processor may issue a Form 1099-K if your total distributions exceed $600 in a calendar year and contributors received goods or services in return. Receiving a 1099-K doesn’t automatically mean the money is taxable. It reports the gross amount distributed to you, and the actual tax treatment depends on the nature of each contribution. Keep records of what your campaign raised, what donors received (if anything), and how you spent the funds.