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Creating a GoFundMe from start to finish

John Brown

We're happy you're considering GoFundMe to help you fundraise for the events and causes important to you.

This article shares a helpful overview of what to expect when you start a GoFundMe. We've also gathered a few of our most helpful articles for you here:

Check out this video to learn more:

Ready to get started? Click here to create your GoFundMe fundraiser!

Step 1: Let’s start with the basics

  • Where do you live?
    • Enter the location as the country of the bank account receiving the funds. This will also determine the currency collected.
  • What are you fundraising for?
    • Choosing a category is just a way to help other people find your fundraiser, so you can select whichever seems closest to your situation.
  • Who are you fundraising for?
    • If you'll be managing transfers yourself, whether to a personal or company account, select "Yourself". If you'll need to add a beneficiary, select "Someone else". And if you are raising funds for a charity and would like the funds to be sent directly to that charity, select “Charity”. 

Step 2: Set your fundraising goal 

Your goal amount should reflect how much you’re looking to raise. When setting your goal, keep in mind there will be a transaction fee per donation, so you may want to set your goal slightly higher than what you need. You can learn more about setting your goal in this article. 

Here are some important things to know about your goal amount: 

  • You have the option to edit your goal at any time
  • You do not need to reach your goal to receive your funds
  • Your fundraiser won't automatically end when you reach your goal

Step 3:  Create your GoFundMe account

To create your account, you'll enter your name, email address, and a password. Double check the spelling of your email, and it's good practice to make note of your password somewhere safe.

Make sure you use an email address you have access to, because our team will be sending you important messages.

The name you enter will be displayed publicly on the fundraiser page. If you don't want to use your full name, whether for safety or personal reasons, you can enter your chosen name here. Be sure to enter your legal name when it comes time to set up transfers.

Step 4:  Add a cover photo or video

Fundraisers using a personal photo or video that showcases the person, animal, or cause for the funds are generally more successful than those that do not. Whether you choose a photo or video, please keep the following in mind:

  • You must have the rights to post and share the photo or video
  • It's best if the photo is clear and bright
  • The video must be hosted on YouTube

Step 5: Tell your story

First, you’ll need to create your fundraiser title. This is your chance to stand out. Create a title that is specific to your cause, using names or a call to action.  For example, ‘Help Debra buy a new home’ has more impact than ‘new home fund'. It has to be 50 characters or less, so make sure it fits!

A great story will be open and descriptive, and include a bit about who you are, what you're raising funds for, and how the money will be spent.  If you're raising money for someone else (the beneficiary), it's a good idea to share how you know them.

Read more about fundraiser stories here.

When you've finished writing your story, click “Complete fundraiser,” or “Save” if you'd like to make changes before launching.

Step 6: Complete your fundraiser 

Once you click “Complete fundraiser,” your campaign is live and able to receive donations!

Please continue reading for important information about how to start getting donations. 

Step 7: Your fundraiser is ready. Let's start getting donations

While your fundraiser can start receiving donations right away, no one will know your fundraiser is active until you start to share it. Sharing your fundraiser with as many communities as you can is the best way for it to be successful. Here are a few ways to share, but if you would prefer not to connect these right now, you can click “next”:

  • Social media: You can use this page to connect your GoFundMe to a variety of social media platforms, including Facebook, Messenger, Twitter, and WhatsApp. You can also copy your fundraiser link here so you have it ready to send to people.
  • Email: You can import your contacts to GoFundMe and use this page to send emails.
  • In person: You can use your custom link to share your fundraiser over text message, on posters and print outs, when speaking to your community, and as part of presentations. There are countless ways to get the word out using your link!

Remember, sharing is the key part to getting donations on GoFundMe. If you aren’t sharing your fundraiser with your friends, family, and community, then it’s not likely to get donations. Using your personal network can help get you closer to your goal, and you can read more about the different options for sharing in the “Fundraiser success tips” section of our Help Center.

Step 8: Invite team members

Adding team members to your fundraiser can make it more successful. Team fundraisers have been shown to raise up to 3x more funds, and team members:

  • Can help spread the word
  • Can post updates and thank donors
  • Cannot transfer funds or edit the story

Enter your team members’ email addresses and click “Send invite” to ask them to join your team. Learn more about team fundraisers in this Help Center article.

Your fundraiser is now live, and you’re ready to raise funds. 

Looking for some additional success tips for your fundraiser?
Submit this form, and we’ll follow up with an email!

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