A recent ABC7 News San Francisco report revealed that GoFundMe has automatically created 1.4 million donation pages for 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, often without the organizations’ knowledge or consent.
The company used public IRS data and information from the PayPal Giving Fund to generate these pages, aiming to make it easier for donors to support charitable causes. While well-intentioned, this initiative has left many nonprofits in the dark about the existence of these donation pages.
How It Works
GoFundMe’s new nonprofit product allows donors to give directly to organizations through automatically generated pages:
- Nonprofits don’t need to create the page themselves for donations to be accepted.
- Donors can discover the page through GoFundMe’s platform and contribute directly.
- Nonprofits have the option to “claim” the page, which allows them to access donor data, customize branding, and manage engagement.
- Alternatively, they can unpublish the page if they prefer not to participate.
The Issue: Lack of Awareness and Control
For many organizations, these pages appeared online without any prior notification.
For example, Dave Dornlas, treasurer of Friends of the San Bruno Public Library, learned about his nonprofit’s GoFundMe page only when a donor asked if it was legitimate. Dornlas’ organization had never created or authorized the page, leading to confusion and concern over donor trust.
“The fact that they would just on their own build pages for nonprofits that they’ve never spoken to is a problem. I’m a believer in opt-in, not opt-out,” Dornlas said.
Understanding the Fees and “Optional” Tips
Donations made through these auto-generated pages are subject to:
- 2.2% + $0.30 transaction fee per donation for nonprofits.
- An optional tip of up to 16.5% to support GoFundMe’s platform, which donors must manually adjust if they choose to lower or remove it.
While these contributions support GoFundMe’s operations, lack of clarity could create donor confusion or mistrust if supporters believe the nonprofit is responsible for the fee structure.
What Nonprofits Should Do Right Now
- Search for your organization on GoFundMe to check whether a page exists.
- If you find a page, decide whether to claim or unpublish it.
- Review your organization’s public IRS and PayPal Giving Fund data for accuracy.
- Communicate clearly with your donors about official giving channels to avoid confusion.
- Bookmark support.gofundme.com for any removal or account-related issues.
Why This Matters
Donation platforms can expand visibility and help connect organizations with new supporters. However, transparency and control are critical to maintaining donor trust. Nonprofits should regularly monitor how their name, EIN, and profile are used online — whether by partners, platforms, or third-party fundraising sites.
As GoFundMe plans to expand its outreach to nonprofits in 2025–2026, organizations should stay proactive and informed.
Final Takeaway
GoFundMe’s mass rollout of nonprofit pages is a reminder of the importance of digital awareness. Even well-meaning initiatives can create confusion if nonprofits aren’t looped in.
Being proactive — not reactive — is key to protecting your reputation, stewarding donors effectively, and maintaining control of your brand online.
How TrimnerBeckham PLLC Can Help
At TrimnerBeckham PLLC, we help nonprofits navigate complex compliance and donor engagement issues with clarity and confidence. From digital giving platforms to IRS reporting requirements, we guide organizations in safeguarding their missions and donor trust.
If your nonprofit has questions about donation platforms, IRS compliance, or best practices for donor stewardship, our team is here to help.
Contact us to schedule a consultation and keep your organization informed, compliant, and in control.
