GoFundMe fundraisers to pay for basic living expenses surged in 2025
Fundraising patterns reflect Americans' mounting affordability challenges, according to GoFundMe CEO Tim Cadogan.
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Fundraising patterns reflect Americans' mounting affordability challenges, according to GoFundMe CEO Tim Cadogan.
Crowdfunding website GoFundMe released its 2025 "Year In Help" report Tuesday. It showed a spike in people asking for donations to buy essentials like food. CBS News investigative correspondent Tom Hanson has more.
In the old days people might have turned to the government or to charities such as churches for help; today the first place many people seem to turn to is GoFundMe, a crowdsourcing website, where anyone can appeal to the public to contribute money for pretty much anything – medical bills, disaster relief, funeral expenses, acts of kindness. "Sunday Morning" Contributor David Pogue examines the good will, and occasional fraud, on crowdsourcing sites, and looks at the economics of online charity.
GoFundMe CEO Tim Cadogan is announcing the launch of a new tool called GoFundMe Pro to help non-profits increase charitable donations. He joins CBS Mornings News to discuss the feature and celebrates the $40 billion the online fundraiser has helped raise globally.
Donations on the crowdfunding platform this year reveal a range of urgent financial needs, GoFundMe data shows.
The number of people seeking help on the platform to pay student loans has exploded over the last year, the crowdfunding site says.
Doctors want to take the WWE Hall-of-Famer "Superstar" Billy Graham, who has been suffering medical issues for months, off life support, Graham's wife wrote on Facebook. She refused, calling him "a fighter."
The veteran who owned the dog says Santos pocketed $3,000 from a GoFundMe page that was set up to help pay for surgery.
Prosecutors said the campaign at the time was the largest fraud perpetrated through the crowdfunding platform.
Donations poured in within hours after Damar Hamlin suddenly suffered cardiac arrest after a tackle, with some donating thousands.
A former math teacher of Pieper Lewis' at Des Moines Lincoln High School organized the fundraiser.
The trio made up a story in late 2017 that sparked $400,000 in GoFundMe donations.
"I have never been more proud to be a Ukrainian," said Kunis, who immigrated to the U.S. from the country in 1991.
CEO says grocery delivery service "heartbroken" by fatal shooting at Fred Meyer store in Richland, Washington.
Attorneys general in Texas, Florida, Missouri and West Virginia are probing the company for shutting down a fundraiser.
Thousands of people turned to crowdfunding during the pandemic, but research shows most did not raise much money. CBS Moneywatch Reporter Irina Ivanova joined CBSN's Tanya Rivero with more on this.
Most successful crowdfunding drives were in U.S. counties with higher income — not the ones with the most need.
Hours after the school shooting massacre in Parkland, Florida, strangers started donating to a GoFundMe page to help the families of the victims. The next day, it was only a few thousand dollars from its goal.
Homeless man who used his last $20 to fill up the gas tank of a stranded motorist in Philadelphia has bought a home with some of the nearly $400,000 raised for him online by the woman he saved.
A video showing a University of California, Berkeley police officer ticketing a hot dog vendor, rifling through his wallet and confiscating his money has caused an outcry across social media. The incident happened on Saturday outside of a university football game. KPIX's Christin Ayers reports.
President Trump claims he recently learned President Obama ordered what Mr. Trump describes as a Watergate-style wiretap on Trump Tower in New York; In South Los Angeles, a woman turned her community's "food desert" into an oasis. Michelle Miller reports.
Northern California's storm damage has left a dozen monks trapped in Big Sur. At the New Camaldoli Hermitage, the monks have had to cancel all reservations through March and even turned to a GoFundMe page, but their spirits remain intact. Carter Evans reports.
A photo of a teen in a neck brace at work has gone viral with many people online praising the young man's work ethic. Alex McAdams from our Indianapolis affiliate WTTV has more on the dedicated employee.
One Chicago ice cream man has received thousands of donations from strangers through a GoFundMe campaign. CBSN's Tony Dokoupil has more on his story.
The popular crowdfunding site GoFundMe has raised over $3 million for the Orlando massacre victims and their families.
The Trump administration on Monday plans to announce it is seeking to revoke the citizenship of 17 U.S. citizens accused of immigration fraud.
Iran and Israel declare a halt to fighting as President Trump says both are seeking an "immediate ceasefire" after a major escalation in the 101-day war.
Doctors are jumping the gun to prescribe a medication lacking FDA approval that has gone viral on social media. "Why are we waiting?" one physician asked.
Currently acting attorney general, Todd Blanche may face an uphill confirmation battle from some wary Republican senators.
U.S. District Judge Leo Sorokin ruled in favor of a group of 20 states that challenged President Trump's new $100,000 visa fee.
Russia sanctioned Alexander Browder, son of financier-turned-activist Bill Browder, after he unveiled an alleged cryptocurrency money laundering network.
President Trump abruptly ended an interview with NBC News when repeatedly challenged on his claims of election fraud
Los Angeles City Council member Nithya Raman surged past Spencer Pratt on Sunday in the race for LA mayor. The California governor's race remains undecided.
An earthquake off Cuba was felt across parts of Florida, but Miami officials reported no major injuries, significant damage or tsunami threat.
Going public will allow OpenAI, valued at $852 billion, to inject more cash into its business as the AI race quickens.
SpaceX is setting aside a large chunk of shares for ordinary investors as it seeks to raise a record $75 billion. Here's what to know.
"AI can make everything that was on my plate visible to colleagues while I'm gone," one expert said.
Currently acting attorney general, Todd Blanche may face an uphill confirmation battle from some wary Republican senators.
U.S. District Judge Leo Sorokin ruled in favor of a group of 20 states that challenged President Trump's new $100,000 visa fee.
Going public will allow OpenAI, valued at $852 billion, to inject more cash into its business as the AI race quickens.
SpaceX is setting aside a large chunk of shares for ordinary investors as it seeks to raise a record $75 billion. Here's what to know.
"AI can make everything that was on my plate visible to colleagues while I'm gone," one expert said.
New York Fed survey shows growing concern about household finances and the job market, even as the job market remains solid.
Although working remotely offers flexibility, it also takes a toll on people's mental health, experts said.
Currently acting attorney general, Todd Blanche may face an uphill confirmation battle from some wary Republican senators.
U.S. District Judge Leo Sorokin ruled in favor of a group of 20 states that challenged President Trump's new $100,000 visa fee.
On Friday, the Pentagon cut the number of religious affiliation codes from over 200 to 31 to help military chaplains streamline religious support services.
President Trump abruptly ended an interview with NBC News when repeatedly challenged on his claims of election fraud
The Trump administration on Monday announced it is seeking to revoke the citizenship of 17 U.S. citizens accused of immigration fraud.
Doctors are jumping the gun to prescribe a medication lacking FDA approval that has gone viral on social media. "Why are we waiting?" one physician asked.
Approved 20 years ago as a diabetes treatment, GLP-1 drugs have been found to help patients reduce weight, changing the lives of more than 30 million people in the U.S. But there also have been troubling side effects reported.
Approved 20 years ago as a treatment for diabetes, GLP-1 drugs have been found also to help patients significantly reduce weight. More than 30 million people in the U.S. have had their lives changed by GLP-1 medications. But there have also been troubling side effects reported. Correspondent Tracy Smith talks with experts who say the drugs might prove useful in treating other diseases associated with obesity (including cancer); and with patients who have taken GLP-1 drugs and experienced widely varying reactions.
A medical breakthrough is showing promise for millions of Americans with Type 1 diabetes. It's an alternative to taking insulin without the injections. Mark Strassmann has more details.
Dr. Peter Stafford was working with a missionary group in the Congo when he came down with the virus last month.
Great white sharks are classified as "critically endangered" in the Mediterranean Sea, and underwater sightings are incredibly rare.
Russia sanctioned Alexander Browder, son of financier-turned-activist Bill Browder, after he unveiled an alleged cryptocurrency money laundering network.
Pope Leo XIV denounced the "scourge" of sexual violence by Catholic clergy and called for a "culture of care" in the Church ahead of an expected private meeting with victims in Spain.
Iran and Israel declare a halt to fighting as President Trump says both are seeking an "immediate ceasefire" after a major escalation in the 101-day war.
A series of drone incursions into countries neighboring Ukraine and Russia is fueling concern that their four-and-a-half year war could spread.
Garry Nolan, a professor of pathology at Stanford University School of Medicine and the executive director of the board for The Sol Foundation, joins CBS News 24/7 to discuss Steven Spielberg's new movie, "Disclosure Day," and its exploration of the existence of aliens on Earth.
CBS News New York's Dave Carlin breaks down the biggest wins and performances from the 79th Tony Awards.
Oscar-winning director Steven Spielberg talks to CBS News about his 34th feature film, "Disclosure Day," which explores what would happen if all of the evidence about UFOs and alien life was released to the entire world and proved we are not alone. He also discusses his opinion on aliens, saying they "have been here and they are here."
At Broadway's biggest night, "Schmigadoon!" took home the award for best musical. Meanwhile, "Arthur Miller's 'Death of a Salesman'" won six Tony Awards, the most of the night. Jamie Wax has more on the winners and top moments.
"Schmigadoon!" — which was tied for the most nominations, with 12 — won Best Musical, and "Liberation" took home the honor of Best Play at the 2026 Tony Awards.
SpaceX is setting aside a large chunk of shares for ordinary investors as it seeks to raise a record $75 billion. Here's what to know.
"AI can make everything that was on my plate visible to colleagues while I'm gone," one expert said.
From labor shortages to environmental impacts, farmers are looking to AI to help revolutionize the agriculture industry. One California startup, Farm-ng, is tapping into the power of AI and robotics to perform a wide range of tasks, including seeding, weeding and harvesting.
LinkedIn's latest workforce report found hiring rates are nearly 5% lower than a year ago. Catherine Fisher, a LinkedIn career expert, explains how job applicants can break through the market, using AI when applying and more.
Prediction markets have become a draw for young men in search of quick cash and thrills, experts say. "I had almost $4,600 at one point but squandered that," one man said.
Great white sharks are classified as "critically endangered" in the Mediterranean Sea, and underwater sightings are incredibly rare.
The expected arrival of El Niño this summer could trigger another mass coral bleaching event, which would be the fifth on record, researchers said.
More than 5,300 years ago, Oetzi the Iceman was strolling through the Alps on the border of Austria and Italy when he was killed by an arrow in the back.
Days after a meteor exploded over New England, another fireball was spotted, visible in the Midwest to the Northeast. Rob Marciano has more.
A team of archaeologists at the iconic cathedral is digging straight down and back in time, to Roman Paris 2,000 years ago.
At least 12 people were injured during a mass shooting at the Old West End Festival in Toledo, Ohio, officials say. CBS News' Jonah Kaplan reports.
Twelve people were injured, two of them critically, in what police are calling a "gunfight" that broke out at the Old West End Festival in Toledo, Ohio, on Saturday. Jonah Kaplan reports.
Six people, including the suspect, were taken to the hospital after a stabbing incident at New York City's Penn Station on Sunday evening.
A toxic couple orchestrates an elaborate plan to kill a mother. "48 Hours" correspondent Peter Van Sant reports.
What appeared to be an open-and-shut case for Texas investigators turned out to be a twisted murder plot involving victim Alyssa Beard's ex-boyfriend Andrew Beard and his fiancée Holly Elkins – who detectives say was the mastermind.
Out of an abundance of caution, NASA briefly directed five of the seven crew members aboard the International Space Station to wait inside the docked SpaceX Crew Dragon "Freedom" spacecraft.
Three solar flares burst from the sun this week, raising the chances of seeing the northern lights for people across the United States.
NASA officials said the $582 million MAVEN orbiter could not be recovered after a problem on the far side of Mars late last year, and that its extraordinarily successful mission was at an end.
Damage to Blue Origin's lone launch pad in the wake of last week's spectacular explosion was not as severe as initially feared, the company said.
The FLEX Rover will be equipped to carry two astronauts and traverse hundreds of miles of lunar terrain.
A look back at the esteemed personalities who've left us this year, who'd touched us with their innovation, creativity and humanity.
Summer is the time to enjoy live music, indoors and out. Scroll through our gallery of some of 2026's leading musical acts, featuring images by CBS News photojournalist Jake Barlow and photographers Ed Spinelli and Kirstine Walton.
Does the evidence show a cover-up, or was Todd Kendhammer wrongfully convicted for the murder of his wife?
Family seeks answers in death of newlywed who disappeared in 2005 while on Mediterranean honeymoon cruise.
Meet the tattooed beauty charged in the death of Google executive Forrest Hayes.
Former Sen. Bill Bradley won two NBA championships as a player with the New York Knicks in 1970 and 1973. He joined CBS News to discuss President Trump's planned visit to Madison Square Garden for Game 3 of the NBA Finals Monday night.
Iran and Israel said Monday that they had halted military operations after exchanging their first attacks since a ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran came into effect in early April. CBS News' Charlie D'Agata and Joe Zacks have more.
Kobe, a 7-year-old, has been posting prayers online for the New York Knicks for their last 13 games. They haven't lost a game in that stretch and are now up 2-0 on the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals. Kobe and his mom, Tiffany Smith, joined CBS News to discuss the run.
President Trump will be attending Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Monday night, which has forced major security restrictions near New York City's Madison Square Garden. CBS News reporter Jared Ochacher has more.
The race for governor in South Carolina between seven Republicans and three Democrats is heating up ahead of the state's primary elections. CBS News' Skyler Henry has more.