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gofundme question

June 11th, 2017 at 04:53 pm

I see a lot of gofundme pages for people. I get it that people are not financially prepared for something to happen to them. It's always unexpected.

I've never donated but now a friend has been diagnosed with cancer. And is really pushing donations because they are out of work. Being self-employed they don't work they don't make income. I haven't donated yet.

Do most people donate? If so how much? I have dropped off food every 3-4 weeks for the past 5 months instead. I felt it more personal it has certainly cost me more than $100. Should I have just donated cash?

I guess I get uncomfortable donating to all these things. I don't mind donating to organizations and I do. I also don't mind people's fundraisers. But this more personal donating to someone feels strange.

Do people really do it?

7 Responses to “gofundme question”

  1. Butterscotch Says:
    1497202209

    I donate when I can. If a friend of mine had cancer and was asking for money I would give them whatever I could. Meals are nice but it doesn't pay bills. I would hate to have to stress about money while also worrying about dying.

  2. ceejay74 Says:
    1497208902

    I don't, usually. But I haven't had any such pleas from close friends, just the occasional acquaintance. Once I sent some money to help a good friend with pet medical bills, and we help out AS's mom with cash from time to time. But neither of those were formal fundraisers. I forget, did you end up helping out that friend that couldn't afford a divorce?

  3. rob62521 Says:
    1497209580

    I think your taking food is very kind and you shouldn't feel like you didn't help out. You did.

    I don't normally donate to these fundraisers. Some of them have gotten ridiculous...someone posted one to help someone pay off a speeding ticket.

    Someone set up an account to help a friend's daughter a few years ago and instead of going through the gofundme account, I just gave cash to my friend for her daughter.

  4. lirpalynn Says:
    1497222213

    I have donated a couple times, but I don't think I will again. I have heard from one of the recipients that gofundme takes quite a large percentage of the funds (but I don't know what it is.) Bringing over food most certainly helps with bills as it cuts down on the grocery bill. If they were to have a regular fundraiser, say a spaghetti dinner or silent auction type event, they would get the full proceeds. It sounds as if your friend is doing it for him/herself? It almost would look better coming from someone else trying to help them out than to look as if you're begging for money. At least in my mind.

  5. creditcardfree Says:
    1497224245

    I have donated once or twice. One was a family connected to my husband's former workplace. We knew people that knew them directly. The other I think was someone we also directly knew, but I'm having trouble thinking of the situation. I know that we were not close by to assist directly with either family.

    I think we all need to be comfortable with the gifts we give. If it makes you uncomfortable than that is fine. You did a wonderful thing by bringing food multiple times.

  6. FrugalTexan75 Says:
    1497320463

    I have donated a number of times. Gofundme does take a large percentage from what I've heard.

  7. LuckyRobin Says:
    1497347232

    We don't generally, but a man my husband works with has a son who is getting a kidney transplant and his other son is donating the kidney. Both kids will be in the hospital for some time. Insurance covers a lot, but not all, and it doesn't cover things like the lodging the parents need for the couple of days before and after surgery so they can be at the hospital during that time. It's a major hit to them. So we donated. Only $50 since we still can't afford much.

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