Crowdfunding has become a potent means of raising funds for various projects and ventures for individuals facing unexpected and potentially devastating emergencies, especially those related to medical expenses. The National Opinion Research Center (NORC) at the University of Chicago found that approximately 20 million Americans have initiated crowdfunding campaigns to cover medical bills for themselves or someone they know. In an increasingly interconnected world, where community support can transcend geographical boundaries, crowdfunding has become a viable solution for those in urgent need.
Navigating the Crowdfunding Landscape
However, with hundreds of crowdfunding platforms available, choosing the right one is crucial to reach potential donors effectively. Each platform comes with its unique features, fees, and functionalities. Therefore, before launching a crowdfunding campaign, it’s essential to assess various platforms based on specific criteria:
1. Types of Campaigns: Ensure the chosen platform supports personal causes. Some platforms, like Kickstarter, Indiegogo, and Patreon, are primarily designed for business fundraising.
2. Ease of Use: Opt for a user-friendly platform with a straightforward setup process. Platforms offering tutorials on creating compelling campaigns, including embedding multimedia elements and maximizing social media sharing, are advantageous.
3. Payment Processing: Examine how the platform facilitates donations. Most platforms connect to payment processors like PayPal. For those with ongoing expenses, selecting a platform that allows immediate access to funds, regardless of meeting the fundraising goal, can be beneficial.
4. Fees: Investigate any setup fees, commissions, or payment processing fees associated with the platform. While some platforms charge upfront fees or deduct a percentage from donations, others operate on a “free” model by requesting optional tips from donors.
Top Crowdfunding Platforms for Personal Needs
Now, let’s delve into five prominent crowdfunding platforms that have proven effective for personal fundraising:
1. GoFundMe
- Overview: As the largest and most well-known personal crowdfunding platform, GoFundMe caters to individuals, teams, and nonprofits. It excels in supporting campaigns related to medical expenses.
- Ease of Use: GoFundMe offers an intuitive setup process with tutorials and a mobile app for convenient management.
- Payment Processing: Donations can be accessed immediately, and the platform uses Stripe for processing, with a third-party fee of 2.9% plus $0.30 per donation.
- Fees: GoFundMe operates on a tip-based model with no platform fees.
2. GoGetFunding
- Overview: Launched in 2011, GoGetFunding aims to disrupt the crowdfunding industry by providing an easy and flexible way to raise money for various causes.
- Ease of Use: The platform offers a quick, straightforward campaign page setup supported by tutorials and tips.
- Payment Processing: GoGetFunding processes payments through its in-house system, Stripe, and PayPal, with options for immediate access to funds.
- Fees: GoGetFunding charges a 4% fee on the amount that will be raised, and a payment processing fee of 2.9% plus $0.30 per transaction will be charged.
3. FundRazr
- Overview: While smaller than some competitors, FundRazr stands out with enhanced functionality and attractive design.
- Ease of Use: Utilizing a visual page builder, FundRazr ensures a fast and easy setup with built-in sharing tools.
- Payment Processing: The platform accepts major credit cards and bank payments, with options for keep-it-all or all-or-nothing fundraising models.
- Fees: FundRazr offers a free fundraising model with optional tips and a third-party payment processing fee of 2.9% plus $0.30 per transaction.
4. Fundly
- Overview: Despite being lesser-known, Fundly has facilitated over $330 million in fundraising, particularly excelling in personal causes.
- Ease of Use: Fondly’s plug-and-play campaign pages support adding multimedia elements and frequent updates.
- Payment Processing: Major credit cards are accepted through Stripe, allowing immediate withdrawal, though processing takes seven business days.
- Fees: While there’s no fee to create a campaign, Fundly deducts a 4.9% fee from every donation, along with a third-party processing fee of 2.9% plus $0.30 per transaction.
5. Plumfund
- Overview: Having helped users raise over $500 million, Plumfund is among the larger crowdfunding platforms suitable for various personal goals.
- Ease of Use: Plumfund offers easy setup with tools for setting up registries, wish lists, and fundraising goals.
- Payment Processing: The platform provides various payment options, including offline payments and online credit card processing through PayPal.
- Fees: Plumfund operates without platform fees, with third-party payment-processing fees of 2.9% plus $0.30 per individual donation.
The Popularity and Controversy of Crowdfunding
The increasing popularity of crowdfunding has prompted discussions about its impact on addressing systemic issues, such as the shortcomings of America’s healthcare system. However, until broader changes occur, crowdfunding is a crucial lifeline for needy individuals.
Despite its drawbacks, crowdfunding has witnessed substantial engagement, especially for personal causes. According to a 2016 report by the Pew Research Center, two-thirds of all Americans who donate to crowdfunding campaigns contribute to help individuals in need, surpassing donations to fund new products or businesses.
The NORC study highlighted that while many Americans believe the government should bear the responsibility of covering medical costs for those in need, a significant portion has donated to personal medical campaigns, even for strangers. It
underscores the willingness of individuals to support one another through crowdfunding.
Conclusion: Harnessing the Power of Community Support
In conclusion, crowdfunding has evolved into a powerful means of mobilizing community support to alleviate the financial burdens of individuals facing emergencies. The right platform, coupled with a well-structured campaign, can tap into the generosity of donors willing to contribute to personal causes.
Raising funds through crowdfunding isn’t a panacea for systemic issues, but it does provide a temporary solution for those in immediate need. As technology continues to connect individuals globally, the potential for crowdfunding to make a positive impact on people’s lives remains significant. By understanding the dynamics of various crowdfunding platforms and navigating the landscape thoughtfully, individuals can harness the power of community support during challenging times.