How to Make Money on GoFundMe in 2025: 08 Best Ways

Ever wondered if it’s really possible to make money on GoFundMe without selling anything or starting a business? In 2025, thousands are turning personal stories into real earnings, with some raising over $20,000 in a single week. Whether you’re funding a cause, covering medical bills, or launching a side hustle, this guide shows you how to turn GoFundMe into a reliable source of income.

You’ll learn exactly how the platform works, how people are raising thousands, and the best strategies to get donations fast. No fluff—just practical steps you can take today to start earning.

By the end, you’ll know how to build a campaign that earns trust, drives shares, and attracts serious donors.

Key Takeaways

• GoFundMe is donation-based, not a store. You don’t need to sell products—just share a real story that connects with people.
• The most successful campaigns raise thousands quickly. Fundraisers that go viral often use personal storytelling, media, and early momentum to stand out.
• There are no platform fees in the U.S. GoFundMe only takes a small transaction fee; you keep nearly everything else.
• Real people are earning $5K–$50K. Many campaigns fund medical costs, housing, education, and even business dreams.
• Engagement matters more than followers. Frequent updates, co-organizers, and social media shares drive the biggest results.

Is it Easy to Make Money on GoFundMe?

It’s surprisingly accessible to make money on GoFundMe, but “easy” depends on how much effort you’re willing to invest. The platform simplifies fundraising—you can launch a campaign in under 10 minutes—but earning money depends on how well you share your story and rally your network.

Campaigns that raise thousands typically have a strong emotional angle, frequent updates, and a plan to drive traffic. GoFundMe doesn’t require you to reach a goal before withdrawing funds, so even smaller campaigns can generate real income.

Still, success isn’t automatic. The best results come from being organized, using smart visuals, and activating both close contacts and strangers online.

Most importantly, campaigns that clearly show how the money will be used tend to perform better. Transparency builds trust, which converts into donations.

What do you need to get started?

To make money on GoFundMe, all you need is a clear reason for raising funds, a verified GoFundMe account, a bank account to receive withdrawals, and a compelling story. Strong visuals (images or video), an initial outreach plan, and a goal amount also help. Co-organizers and regular updates can triple your campaign’s reach. No business license, store, or inventory required.

How much money you can make on GoFundMe?

Campaign earnings vary widely—some raise $500, others $50,000+. Medical fundraisers, disaster relief, and crisis stories often raise the most. For example, in 2021, an Iowa woman raised over $70,000 in days for her flooded home by pairing storytelling with local news outreach (Des Moines Register). Campaigns with strong networks and early traction see the highest success. Most top-performing campaigns raise $5,000–$20,000 in their first few weeks.

1. Personal Emergency Fundraising

If you’re facing an urgent crisis—like medical bills, sudden unemployment, or housing emergencies—GoFundMe can help you raise money quickly. Personal emergency fundraisers are some of the most common and successful campaigns on the platform because they resonate emotionally with donors. People naturally want to support someone in need, especially when they can see exactly how their contribution will help.

Even small donations add up fast when shared widely. Campaigns with a clear goal, a strong story, and photos showing the situation often reach thousands in a short period. Make Money on GoFundMe during emergencies doesn’t require any business setup; you just need to clearly explain the urgency and impact of donations.

The key to success is transparency. Break down exactly what the funds will cover, like rent, utilities, or hospital visits, to help donors understand the difference their money will make.

How to Launch a Personal Emergency Fundraiser

• Create a GoFundMe account and choose “Myself” or “Someone else” as the recipient.
• Write a short but heartfelt story explaining your emergency and the exact amount you need.
• Add compelling visuals like photos or a short video to make your campaign feel personal.
• Set a realistic fundraising goal and break down expenses to inspire trust.
• Share with close friends and family first to create momentum in the first 24 hours.
• Post updates regularly to show progress and encourage repeat sharing.

Quick Tip: Use local community Facebook groups to quickly reach supportive neighbors and donors in your area.

2. Medical and Health Fundraising

Medical expenses are the top reason people turn to GoFundMe. From surgeries to prescription costs, these campaigns inspire donations because supporters see a tangible impact. A well-crafted medical fundraiser often receives higher visibility and donor trust, especially if you clearly explain the treatment costs and include doctor notes or photos.

In 2025, successful medical campaigns often combine storytelling with detailed financial transparency. People want to know how much is needed for each stage of recovery. Campaigns with a video appeal or regular health updates perform 2–3x better than static pages.

This method is particularly effective for both personal health needs and raising funds for family members or friends facing emergencies.

How to Start a Medical Fundraiser

• Create your GoFundMe under “Medical, Illness & Healing” to target the right audience.
• Explain your diagnosis or medical challenge clearly and honestly.
• Include cost breakdowns—hospital bills, therapy, medication, or travel expenses.
• Upload images or a short video to make the story relatable.
• Get a co-organizer involved to help share updates and reach new networks.
• Send personal thank-you messages to donors to encourage repeat support.

Quick Tip: Partner with a local newspaper or health group for extra exposure—many are open to sharing impactful stories.

3. Disaster Relief and Crisis Support

GoFundMe thrives during community or global crises. Whether it’s a local fire, flood, or hurricane, people donate when they see immediate needs. Campaigns for natural disasters or accidents can raise thousands in days if structured correctly.

Your role is to explain who is affected, what help is needed, and how the donations will be used. The faster you launch after a disaster, the better, because early momentum drives shares.

These campaigns also benefit from local media coverage and partnerships with relief organizations.

How to Launch a Disaster Relief Campaign

• Set up your GoFundMe quickly and choose a clear, urgent title like “Help Families Recover from Flood.”
• Upload real-time photos or videos from the event or aftermath.
• Explain how donations will help—e.g., temporary housing, cleanup, supplies.
• Collaborate with community members to verify needs and amplify sharing.
• Update frequently with new developments or milestones in recovery.
• Reach out to local media outlets—they often highlight active GoFundMe relief efforts.

Quick Tip: Posting your fundraiser in neighborhood apps like Nextdoor increases local visibility and credibility.

4. Memorial and Funeral Fundraising

Covering funeral costs or supporting grieving families is a common way to make money on GoFundMe. These campaigns resonate because they provide immediate help during emotional and financial hardship.

Transparency and compassion are critical. Clearly explain who passed away, the related costs, and how donations will ease the family’s burden. Sharing heartfelt stories, even briefly, encourages people to give.

Adding photos of the loved one and sharing updates on memorial services helps donors feel connected.

How to Start a Memorial or Funeral Campaign

• Choose the “Memorial & Funeral” category for better visibility on GoFundMe.
• Tell the story with sensitivity while focusing on financial needs.
• Set a realistic goal covering funeral, burial, or cremation costs.
• Use family-approved photos to humanize the campaign.
• Encourage family and friends to share the page for broader reach.
• Post thank-you updates as services are arranged to keep donors involved.

Quick Tip: Short, sincere social media posts drive more shares than long announcements in grief-related campaigns.

5. Community Project Fundraising

Communities often turn to GoFundMe to fund projects like park cleanups, neighborhood events, or local repairs. These campaigns work well because they serve a shared purpose and generate local excitement.

Unlike emergency fundraisers, community projects succeed with clear plans and visible results. Outlining steps, timelines, and costs makes people more likely to support your cause.

Adding visuals like maps, mockups, or event flyers increases trust and shareability.

How to Launch a Community Project Campaign

• Select the “Community & Neighbors” category to target local supporters.
• Explain the project—its goal, who benefits, and the impact of donations.
• Break down the budget for supplies, rentals, or labor.
• Include before-and-after visuals or plans to excite donors.
• Engage local groups like schools, churches, or community boards to share.
• Update with photos or videos showing progress or completion.

Quick Tip: Collaborate with local businesses—they might donate or help share your fundraiser widely.

6. Educational and Scholarship Fundraising

Students and teachers use GoFundMe to pay for tuition, classroom projects, and study programs. These campaigns succeed because education is a universally supported cause, and donors often enjoy seeing immediate results.

Make your goal clear—whether you’re funding books, exams, tuition, or a scholarship fund for others. Adding a personal story and a photo in a classroom or study setting can boost credibility.

How to Launch an Education Fundraiser

• Choose the “Education & Learning” category for better targeting.
• State your educational goal and why you need financial support.
• Break down costs like tuition, travel, or materials.
• Share photos/videos from your academic journey to inspire donations.
• Ask teachers or peers to share for added social proof.
• Post updates about achievements or milestones reached.

Quick Tip: Include future outcomes in your description—donors love knowing how their support will change your life.

7. Charity and Nonprofit Campaigns

Raising money for a nonprofit or cause you care about is an effective way to make money on GoFundMe while making an impact. Many organizations benefit from grassroots donations started by supporters.

These campaigns need clear mission statements and transparency about where funds go. Linking to the nonprofit website or including proof of collaboration builds trust.

How to Launch a Charity Fundraiser

• Select “Certified Charity Fundraiser” during setup to connect directly with a nonprofit.
• Explain the cause and why it matters to you personally.
• Include specific outcomes—what $10, $50, or $100 achieves.
• Upload meaningful visuals like event photos or beneficiary stories.
• Promote across social media with tagged nonprofit accounts for wider reach.
• Thank donors publicly to encourage more support.

Quick Tip: Use milestones like “$1,000 funds 20 meals” to motivate donors with concrete impact.

8. Creative Project Fundraising

Artists, musicians, writers, and filmmakers use GoFundMe to support passion projects. These campaigns succeed when you tell a compelling story about why your art matters and how contributions will bring it to life.

Show progress through sketches, clips, or behind-the-scenes photos. Creative fundraisers thrive with community engagement and frequent updates.

How to Launch a Creative Project Campaign

• Choose the “Creative Projects” category on GoFundMe.
• Explain your artistic vision and what you’re creating.
• Share how funds will be spent on materials, space, or production costs.
• Use images or teaser videos to generate excitement.
• Engage your audience with polls, sneak peeks, or donor credits.
• Update regularly with progress toward your creative goal.

Quick Tip: Offer small incentives like naming credits or early access to boost engagement.

Step by Step Guide to Make Money on GoFundMe

Making money on GoFundMe is easier when you follow a clear plan. This step-by-step roadmap takes you from creating an account to successfully raising funds for your cause. By following these steps, you can maximize donations and build a campaign that earns real results—whether it’s $500 or $50,000.

Step 1: Create Your GoFundMe Account

Start by signing up for a free GoFundMe account using your email or social login. Verify your identity and connect your bank account for secure withdrawals. This ensures any donations you receive can be processed quickly without delays.

Step 2: Define Your Purpose and Goal

Decide exactly why you’re raising funds. Be specific—medical bills, education, community projects, or personal emergencies perform best. Set a realistic fundraising goal based on your actual need, breaking it into smaller milestones if possible.

Step 3: Craft a Compelling Story

Your story is the heart of your campaign. Write a short, emotional, and clear description of your situation, focusing on why donations will make an impact. Include real-life details, timelines, and the breakdown of how the money will be used. A sincere, transparent story is key to Make Money on GoFundMe effectively.

Step 4: Add Engaging Visuals

Upload high-quality photos or a short video to personalize your fundraiser. Visual content builds trust and motivates people to share your campaign. For creative projects, showing progress images or sketches can dramatically increase engagement.

Step 5: Share With Your Inner Circle First

Reach out to family and close friends immediately after launching. Early donations make your campaign look active, encouraging strangers to contribute. A 20–30% initial boost can set the tone for success.

Step 6: Promote Across Social Media and Local Channels

Post your campaign link on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and local community boards. Join relevant groups, tag organizations, and encourage reshares. Pairing this with Best marketing tools for monetizing on GoFundMe like scheduling apps or email outreach can significantly boost reach.

Step 7: Post Regular Updates and Thank Donors

Keep donors engaged by posting progress updates, photos, or stories every few days. Public thank-you messages and private notes encourage continued support and sharing, which is critical for reaching higher fundraising totals.

Step 8: Collaborate for Wider Reach

Invite a co-organizer or team member to help manage the fundraiser. Multiple organizers can access different networks, doubling or tripling campaign visibility. This is especially effective for community and medical campaigns.

Step 9: Withdraw Funds and Show Impact

As you start receiving donations, withdraw them regularly and update donors about how the funds are being used. Showing the impact of their support builds credibility for future campaigns or extended fundraising goals.

Quick Tip: Successful campaigns mix emotional storytelling, early traction, and consistent promotion—combine all three to maximize donations.

Tips to Increase Revenue on GoFundMe

Maximizing your donations on GoFundMe requires a combination of storytelling, visibility, and consistent engagement. One of the most effective strategies is creating a strong emotional connection with your audience. Share personal details, real-life photos, and a clear breakdown of how donations will be used. This builds donor trust, which directly leads to higher contributions.

Another key tip is strategic promotion. Share your campaign across social media platforms multiple times a week, but vary the content—use videos, short emotional captions, and donor shoutouts to keep engagement fresh.

Timing is also crucial. Launch campaigns on weekdays for better visibility and post updates in the evenings when most people are online. Additionally, ask your inner circle to make the first donations and share your page—early momentum is critical.

Finally, engage your audience with regular updates and thank-you messages. Donors are more likely to share and give again when they feel appreciated.

Quick Tip: Use storytelling updates with photos to encourage repeat donations.

Best AI Tools for Making Money on GoFundMe

AI tools can simplify campaign management and boost your reach on GoFundMe. Tools like ChatGPT can help write compelling campaign stories, craft engaging donor messages, and create regular update posts. Visual AI tools like Canva AI or Adobe Express assist in producing professional-looking graphics or social media visuals without advanced design skills.

For campaign promotion, AI-driven scheduling apps like Hootsuite or Buffer can automatically share updates to your social platforms at the best times for engagement. AI analytics tools such as Metricool provide insights into which social posts drive the most traffic to your fundraiser.

AI chatbots can also be used to answer common questions on linked websites or community pages, keeping potential donors engaged. By combining storytelling with automated promotion and visuals, your GoFundMe campaign will look more professional and trustworthy.

Using Best AI tools for making money on GoFundMe can save time, improve reach, and increase total donations with less manual effort.

Quick Tip: Leverage AI-generated images or infographics to grab attention on social media posts quickly.

Best Affiliate Platforms for GoFundMe Campaigns

While GoFundMe itself is donation-based, affiliate marketing can complement your campaign’s reach. For example, if your fundraiser is linked to a cause—like a medical device, educational tools, or creative project—you can use affiliate platforms to share related products and earn commissions alongside donations.

Amazon Associates is a simple option, allowing you to link to supplies or items needed for your project. Share these in campaign updates or on linked blogs to encourage helpful purchases.

Specialized affiliate platforms like ShareASale or Impact can connect you to mission-driven brands. For example, if your fundraiser supports an animal shelter, sharing affiliate links for pet supplies can provide additional income streams.

Integrating affiliate strategies with Best affiliate platforms for GoFundMe allows you to monetize supporting content without affecting the donation experience.

Quick Tip: Include affiliate links in update posts or social shares, not on your main campaign page, to keep messaging clear.

Best Marketing Tools for Monetizing on GoFundMe

Marketing tools are essential for promoting your GoFundMe campaign efficiently. Social media management platforms like Buffer, Hootsuite, or Later help you schedule posts and maintain consistent visibility without being online 24/7.

Email marketing tools such as Mailchimp or ConvertKit allow you to update friends, family, and community supporters with campaign milestones. These tools can automate follow-ups and provide analytics on which emails drive the most traffic to your fundraiser.

For local reach, use platforms like Nextdoor or Eventbrite for community-based sharing. Pairing these efforts with Best marketing tools for monetizing on GoFundMe ensures your fundraiser gets seen by the right audience at the right time.

Lastly, consider free marketing tools like Canva for creating eye-catching visuals and Google Analytics to track referral traffic to your GoFundMe page.

Quick Tip: Combine social, email, and local promotion for the broadest reach and faster fundraising growth.

Conclusion

Making money on GoFundMe is achievable for anyone willing to plan, share, and engage consistently. Whether raising funds for personal emergencies, medical costs, or creative projects, success depends on emotional storytelling, strategic promotion, and ongoing donor interaction.

By following this guide, using smart tools, and applying clear communication, your campaign can realistically raise $5,000–$50,000 or more. Now is the perfect time to launch, connect with your supporters, and watch your fundraiser thrive.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)