GoFundMe

[adambr2]

This is probably a sensitive topic, so I'll try to tread as carefully as possible. I'll start off by saying I think GoFundMe is a wonderful tool for helping the public rally around a worthy cause when an unpreventable life emergency happens. I've donated to plenty of GoFundMes, mostly for issues like childhood cancer fundraising.

 

Now with that said, I get pretty disgusted with some of the requests I now see. Pay for my college? I need to raise $5K so I can travel abroad? Are you serious?

 

The two worst offenders (and often one in the same) are the ones who get their 15 minutes of fame and immediately try to turn that into cash, and the ones that hit their goal for some frivolous item and then when they HIT their goals, they realize, "wow, hey, I didn't realize how much I could get out of this", and subsequently RAISE their goal, sometimes multiple times.

[OldSchoolSnapper]

I won't participate in these unless I know the cause/individual personally.

 

It's been abused way too often.

[TURBO]

Agreed, disgusting.

 

Society has taught us over the years that working for something is stupid when you can get it for free.

[TURBO]

What's even more sad to me is that people are willing to give $ to some of these causes.

 

The person asking for a free ride is bad enough, but then there are actually enough suckers out there to warrant asking in the first place.

[wallus]

I want to be more philanthropic as I am in a more fortunate position than most. However, I want to give to people/organizations that deserve it and it would drive me nuts if money I gave went to causes I would not fully support.

[AKCheesehead]

There have been a few I've intended to contribute to here for a family covering funeral expenses for an unexpected death. However when I clicked and looked at it they have already been way above their goal due to the enormous outpouring of support and generosity. That leads to a dilemma and ultimately I decided not to contribute. It didn't feel right, but neither decision would feel right.

[CheezWizHed]

There have been a few I've intended to contribute to here for a family covering funeral expenses for an unexpected death. However when I clicked and looked at it they have already been way above their goal due to the enormous outpouring of support and generosity. That leads to a dilemma and ultimately I decided not to contribute. It didn't feel right, but neither decision would feel right.

 

If they met the goal, going above it doesn't make a lot of sense unless there is a general need anyway. If you still want to give and they have younger kids, I'd contribute to their 529b college fund (or help them set one up if they don't). Otherwise you can always donate to a charity in the deceased's name.

[FVBrewerFan]

This is probably a sensitive topic, so I'll try to tread as carefully as possible. I'll start off by saying I think GoFundMe is a wonderful tool for helping the public rally around a worthy cause when an unpreventable life emergency happens. I've donated to plenty of GoFundMes, mostly for issues like childhood cancer fundraising.

 

Now with that said, I get pretty disgusted with some of the requests I now see. Pay for my college? I need to raise $5K so I can travel abroad? Are you serious?

 

The two worst offenders (and often one in the same) are the ones who get their 15 minutes of fame and immediately try to turn that into cash, and the ones that hit their goal for some frivolous item and then when they HIT their goals, they realize, "wow, hey, I didn't realize how much I could get out of this", and subsequently RAISE their goal, sometimes multiple times.

 

I have no problem with anyone who wants to start a gofundme for travel, a new bike, a new tv, whatever. More power to them if people are stupud enough to contribute.

[HiAndTight]

I want to be more philanthropic as I am in a more fortunate position than most. However, I want to give to people/organizations that deserve it and it would drive me nuts if money I gave went to causes I would not fully support.

 

 

I pretty much stick with St. Jude.

 

Paying for sick kids and not making the Parents worry about absolutely ruining their financial futures is about as good of a cause as I can think of. There are others of course, but I'm not giving anyone a penny so they can go abroad. I don't think that's a real sensitive issue personally.

 

I would say asking for help for College tuition isn't as distasteful if they're going for a good reason(ie, they want to be an engineer or they want to be a Doctor). But...sorry, that's not on me and unless I know the person as someone else said, I'm likely not contributing.

 

 

And I don't want to throw this off-topic, but it's also annoying seeing people ask for money and stuff on Twitter or other social media sites.

[SeaBass]

This is probably a sensitive topic, so I'll try to tread as carefully as possible. I'll start off by saying I think GoFundMe is a wonderful tool for helping the public rally around a worthy cause when an unpreventable life emergency happens. I've donated to plenty of GoFundMes, mostly for issues like childhood cancer fundraising.

 

Now with that said, I get pretty disgusted with some of the requests I now see. Pay for my college? I need to raise $5K so I can travel abroad? Are you serious?

 

The two worst offenders (and often one in the same) are the ones who get their 15 minutes of fame and immediately try to turn that into cash, and the ones that hit their goal for some frivolous item and then when they HIT their goals, they realize, "wow, hey, I didn't realize how much I could get out of this", and subsequently RAISE their goal, sometimes multiple times.

 

I have no problem with anyone who wants to start a gofundme for travel, a new bike, a new tv, whatever. More power to them if people are stupud enough to contribute.

I mostly agree with the overarching sentiment, but I'll leave a tiny bit of space of respect for people that have expendable income that want to make themselves feel good for helping someone in need out, even if it's for something most others think are frivolous goals.

[BrewersSuperCollector]

....

[MrTPlush]

I guess it doesn’t really bother me. If someone wants to try and raise funds for college or a study abroad trip I don’t really see anything wrong. No one is threatening to murder you if you don’t contribute. If they meet their goal good for them, they have a lot of people who love them and have money to give. It was a little annoying when Gofundme first started gaining steam because it was a bit endless with what felt like everyone trying to fund something ridiculous.

[PeaveyFury]

I actually kind of agree with both sides of it. It's super tacky and absurd to request funds for the stuff noted. But, if someone is willing to give, I guess good for you. Doesn't make it less tacky or entitled, but as others have said, no one is forcing anyone to actually give.

 

At the same time, you're free to do what you want with your money. If you voluntarily give to a silly cause, that's your choice/right to do so.

[GAME05]

A cousin of mine set one up after a disaster and got a lot of money from extended family (including myself). Two weeks later she buys a last-minute plane flight to adopt a disabled dog. She still sets up GoFundMe for everything, but nobody donates anymore.

[TURBO]

Pride in one's ability to take care of one's self is a lost art...