Starting a GoFundMe takes about 10 minutes, costs nothing upfront, and only requires a few pieces of personal information. The platform charges no fee to create or manage a fundraiser. You will pay a transaction fee of 2.9% plus $0.30 per donation when funds come in. Here’s how to set everything up and start collecting donations.
What You Need Before You Start
You must be at least 18 years old to receive funds on GoFundMe. Before you create your campaign, make sure you have the following ready:
- Government-issued photo ID: A driver’s license, state ID, or passport that hasn’t expired.
- Social Security number or ITIN: Required for identity verification in the U.S.
- A bank account in your name: This is where your funds will be transferred. Online payment apps like PayPal, Venmo, and CashApp typically don’t meet GoFundMe’s document requirements for transfers. If you use an online bank, make sure it’s an actual bank (like Ally or similar) rather than a payment app.
- A residential address: P.O. boxes are not accepted.
- A U.S. phone number.
If you’re raising money on behalf of someone else, you can organize the campaign, but the person receiving the funds will need to meet these same requirements when it’s time to withdraw.
Creating Your Campaign
Go to GoFundMe.com and click “Start a GoFundMe.” You’ll be prompted to sign up with an email address or link an existing Google or Facebook account. From there, the platform walks you through a few setup screens.
You’ll choose a fundraising category (medical, emergency, education, memorial, etc.), set a goal amount, and pick a location. The goal is flexible and serves mostly as a visual progress bar for donors. You can raise more or less than whatever number you set, and you can adjust it later.
Next, you’ll write your campaign title and story. This is the most important part of the process because it determines whether people actually donate. Be specific about who the money is for, what happened, and exactly how the funds will be used. A campaign titled “Help Sarah’s Family After the House Fire” with a detailed explanation of their situation will outperform a vague “Please Help Us” every time. Include a dollar breakdown if you can: “$15,000 for temporary housing, $3,000 for clothing and essentials, $2,000 for school supplies for the kids.”
Upload at least one photo or video. Campaigns with images raise significantly more than those without because they make the situation feel real and personal to potential donors.
How Fees Work
GoFundMe does not charge a platform fee. The only cost is a transaction fee of 2.9% plus $0.30 on each donation. So if someone donates $50, you’ll receive $48.25 after the fee is deducted. On a $100 donation, you’d keep $96.80.
These fees are taken automatically before funds reach your account. There’s no invoice or separate charge to worry about. Donors also have the option to leave an optional tip to GoFundMe at checkout, but that comes from the donor’s pocket, not yours.
Linking Your Bank and Withdrawing Funds
You don’t have to set up your bank account before launching. You can start collecting donations right away and connect your bank when you’re ready to withdraw. But it’s worth doing early so there’s no delay when you need the money.
To link your bank, log in and navigate to your fundraiser, then go to Transfers. You’ll select whose bank account the funds should go to, then follow the prompts to enter your personal details and banking information through GoFundMe’s payment partner (either Stripe or Adyen). You’ll need your account number, routing number, and a bank document showing your name and account details.
After you set up transfers, new donations go through a verification process that takes up to five business days. Weekends and holidays don’t count. Once donations clear verification, they’re sent to your bank automatically on whatever schedule you choose: daily, weekly, or monthly. The actual bank transfer then takes an additional two to five business days. So from the moment someone donates to the moment cash hits your account, expect roughly one to two weeks for your first transfer. After that initial setup period, the flow becomes more predictable.
Sharing Your Campaign
GoFundMe gives you built-in sharing tools for Facebook, Twitter, email, and text message. But the platform itself won’t drive traffic to your campaign. The donations come from your own network and the networks of people who share it.
Start by sharing directly with close friends and family. Early donations create momentum and social proof that encourages others to give. Ask people not just to donate but to share the link with their own contacts. Most successful campaigns spread through multiple layers of personal networks rather than going viral with strangers.
Post updates on your campaign page as things develop. GoFundMe lets you add updates that notify everyone who has already donated. This keeps supporters engaged and often prompts additional sharing. If you hit a milestone or something changes in the situation, write an update explaining it.
Tax Implications of GoFundMe Money
Whether your GoFundMe funds count as taxable income depends on why people gave. The IRS treats donations differently based on the donor’s intent. If contributors gave out of generosity without expecting anything in return, those contributions are generally considered gifts, and gifts are not taxable income for the recipient.
Most personal GoFundMe campaigns for medical bills, emergencies, or memorials fall into this gift category. However, if you’re raising money in exchange for something (a product, service, or reward), the funds could be considered taxable income. Money from an employer on your behalf is also generally taxable.
GoFundMe’s payment processor may issue a Form 1099-K if your campaign exceeds certain reporting thresholds. The IRS has been phasing in a lower reporting threshold under the American Rescue Plan Act, dropping it from the old $20,000/200 transaction standard toward $600, though implementation has been delayed multiple times. Receiving a 1099-K doesn’t automatically mean you owe taxes. It just means the IRS was notified about the payments, and you’ll need to account for them on your return, even if they ultimately qualify as nontaxable gifts.
What Donors See and Expect
GoFundMe offers a Giving Guarantee that promises donors a full refund if funds are misused. If donors report that something isn’t right, GoFundMe investigates the fundraiser and refunds donations when warranted. This means donors are more willing to give because they know there’s a safety net, but it also means you need to use funds as described in your campaign. Misrepresenting your situation or using money for purposes you didn’t disclose can result in your campaign being shut down and funds being returned to donors.
Transparency goes a long way. After you receive and use the funds, posting a thank-you update showing how the money helped builds trust and leaves a positive impression. If your situation changes and you no longer need the full amount, you can always lower your goal or stop accepting donations.