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.
As Iran retaliates for an Israeli strike on the South Pars gas field, one analyst warns the war is "now hitting the plumbing of the global energy system."
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard faced another round of sharp questions about the Iran war from lawmakers on Thursday
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the U.S. has struck more than 7,000 targets across Iran since the war began.
Even after accounting for record-high detention populations, the rate of deaths per 10,000 ICE detainees was the highest in 2025 than in any year since the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020.
Advocates said the Van Nuys building looked like an example of "clustering" — a red flag for hospice fraud.
The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee advanced Sen. Markwayne Mullin's nomination to lead the Department of Homeland Security.
"The morale is getting worse by the day because no one knows when this is gonna end," said Cameron Cochems, a lead TSA officer in Boise, Idaho.
Stanford economists estimate that the typical U.S. household will spend an additional $740 on gas this year because of the jump in global oil prices.
Two tugboat crew members were killed and two others were injured in what the Coast Guard called a "confined space incident" aboard a barge in Alaska.
The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee advanced Sen. Markwayne Mullin's nomination to lead the Department of Homeland Security.
Advocates said the Van Nuys building looked like an example of "clustering" — a red flag for hospice fraud.
A California desert community tied the highest March temperature ever recorded in the U.S., amid a record-breaking winter heat wave in the Southwest.
Even after accounting for record-high detention populations, the rate of deaths per 10,000 ICE detainees was the highest in 2025 than in any year since the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020.
"The morale is getting worse by the day because no one knows when this is gonna end," said Cameron Cochems, a lead TSA officer in Boise, Idaho.
Stanford economists estimate that the typical U.S. household will spend an additional $740 on gas this year because of the jump in global oil prices.
A barrel of Brent crude topped $111, while the U.S. benchmark also rose as the Iran war intensifies.
Swarmer is likely to be the first of many: a Ukrainian defense startup with an American face that leans on U.S. capital to scale production for both the Ukrainian and American militaries.
Fed officials are grappling with a host of economic challenges, from stubborn inflation to a slowing job market.
Travelers hoping to bypass some of the increasingly long wait times at U.S. airports can enroll in the TSA PreCheck Touchless ID program, which is now operating at 65 locations.
The following is the full transcript of the interview with International Atomic Energy Agency Director-General Rafael Grossi, a portion of which will air on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" on March 22, 2026.
The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee advanced Sen. Markwayne Mullin's nomination to lead the Department of Homeland Security.
Advocates said the Van Nuys building looked like an example of "clustering" — a red flag for hospice fraud.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the U.S. has struck more than 7,000 targets across Iran since the war began.
A lawyer who worked closely with Jeffrey Epstein for decades before becoming an executor of his estate is being questioned Thursday by the House Oversight Committee.
A judge blocked a set of changes to the childhood vaccine schedule recommended by allies of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, dealing a setback to the Trump administration's efforts to overhaul federal vaccine policy.
Patchwork state policies and limited federal oversight have led to a fragmented system for tracking organ donor status.
Spencer Laird was diagnosed with colon cancer at 26. At 30, he was told it had returned and spread to his lungs, with one tumor the size of a golf ball.
The Trump administration's Medicare boss reacts to CBS News investigation into California's hospice fraud problems.
Even people with six-figure incomes are making financial sacrifices to pay for medical care, a new study finds.
The following is the full transcript of the interview with International Atomic Energy Agency Director-General Rafael Grossi, a portion of which will air on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" on March 22, 2026.
U.S. author Jessica Joelle Alexander says Americans should consider adopting some of Denmark's "great parenting practices."
Satellite companies restrict access to images of the Middle East as the Iran war rages, with one citing concern data could be exploited "by adversarial actors."
Ángel Esteban Aguilar Morales is one of the alleged ringleaders of the Ecuadorian criminal gang "Los Lobos" and one of the country's most-wanted fugitives.
An expert in modern warfare says Iran is highlighting NATO failures "to adapt to the drone threat," and Poland is using lessons from Ukraine to fix that.
Val Kilmer was originally set to star in "As Deep as the Grave" before he died last year, never shooting a scene of the movie. But Kilmer will still star in the film thanks to generative AI, which is artificial intelligence that can generate new content by analyzing existing content. Jo Ling Kent has more.
Spoiler alert! The latest contestant eliminated from "Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans" joins "CBS Mornings" to discuss his surprising elimination and if he has any regrets about how he played the game.
David Margolick's biography of Sid Caesar explores how the 1950s comic reinvented the art of comedy in the new medium of television.
Grammy-nominated singer and actor Demi Lovato speaks with "CBS Mornings" co-host Gayle King about her healing journey and how she found joy in cooking after her recovery from anorexia and bulimia. Lovato says food used to bring her "discomfort and fear" but she has since learned to find "freedom with food." Her new cookbook is called "One Plate at a Time."
The band The Last Dinner Party is coming to the U.S. next week to tour its second album, "From the Pyre." The members of the band spoke to Anthony Mason about how they met, their rapid rise to fame and the support they've had along the way.
Val Kilmer was originally set to star in "As Deep as the Grave" before he died last year, never shooting a scene of the movie. But Kilmer will still star in the film thanks to generative AI, which is artificial intelligence that can generate new content by analyzing existing content. Jo Ling Kent has more.
More than 80% of adults say they go online at least several times per day and research indicates that even adults' fully-formed brains can suffer negative consequences from excessive screen time. Dr. Sue Varma breaks down risks, tips to reduce your screen time and why adults are spending more time on screens.
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.
NVIDIA's GTC conference brought big crowds to Silicon Valley this week, with hundreds of companies showcasing products powered by NVIDIA's chips. Tim Werth, tech editor at Mashable, joins CBS News to discuss.
A tech entrepreneur in Australia, Paul Conyngham, said he used artificial intelligence to design a cancer vaccine for his dog Rosie. He joins CBS News with Páll Thordarson, director of the UNSW RNA Institute, who worked with Conyngham on the technology.
The song is that of a humpback whale and was recorded by scientists in March 1949 in Bermuda, researchers said.
A new study in the journal Nature says most sea level rise research may have underestimated coastal water heights by an average of 1 foot.
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman announced significant changes to the agency's Artemis program, which aims to land on the moon in 2028.
Documents might help scientists shed light on unexplained phenomena and government secrets, experts said.
A large shark was caught on camera for the first time in Antarctica's waters, surprising researchers. "There's a general rule of thumb that you don't get sharks in Antarctica," one said.
Joseph Duggar, one of the stars of the reality show "19 Kids and Counting," has been arrested and is facing child sex abuse charges. He's accused of sexually abusing a 9-year-old girl six years ago in Florida. Tom Hanson reports.
More details are emerging about the allegations of abuse against the late Cesar Chavez. CBS News' Ed O'Keefe has more.
Ángel Esteban Aguilar Morales is one of the alleged ringleaders of the Ecuadorian criminal gang "Los Lobos" and one of the country's most-wanted fugitives.
Kouri Richins, Utah author and mother, was just found guilty for murder and attempted murder of her husband Eric Richins. The state accused her of killing him with a fentanyl-laced Moscow mule in 2022 after previously attempting to poison him via a sandwich on Valentine's Day. Monday evening the jury found her guilty on all counts including insurance fraud and forgery. In a special episode, "48 Hours" correspondent Natalie Morales speaks with Skye Lazaro, former defense attorney for Richins, about the significance of the outcome and the key moments in court that let up to the verdict. This episode was recorded on March 17.
Law enforcement sources told CBS News that additional images were obtained from surveillance cameras installed at Guthrie's Tucson home, but they showed nothing suspicious.
A meteoroid was spotted streaking across the sky in 10 states. In some areas, there was also a loud boom, similar to an explosion. NASA says the meteor, which was traveling 45,000 mph in the sky, fragmented - causing the bright fireball and loud boom.
Some residents immediately feared the sound was an explosion, according to CBS affiliate WOIO, but weather service officials say it appears to have been a meteor.
Bill Nye the Science Guy sits down with CBS News chief Washington correspondent Major Garrett to talk about his life and career.
NASA's huge Space Launch System rocket has been repaired and is ready for rollout back to the launch pad next week.
Nearly 14 years after it was launched in 2012, NASA says a 1,300-pound satellite is expected to come crashing back to Earth on Wednesday. Most of it will burn up as it reenters the atmosphere, but NASA warns some debris could survive reentry.
A look back at the esteemed personalities who've left us this year, who'd touched us with their innovation, creativity and humanity.
Does the evidence show a cover-up, or was Todd Kendhammer wrongfully convicted for the murder of his wife?
Christy Salters-Martin dominated in the boxing ring but faced her toughest challenger at home.
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.
Val Kilmer was originally set to star in "As Deep as the Grave" before he died last year, never shooting a scene of the movie. But Kilmer will still star in the film thanks to generative AI, which is artificial intelligence that can generate new content by analyzing existing content. Jo Ling Kent has more.
CBS News business analyst Jill Schlesinger breaks down some key tips as people clean before spring and as they prepare their taxes. (Sponsored by AT&T Business)
Danny Danon, Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, is reacting to the latest strikes against Iran targeting the South Pars gas field, a key oil supplier. Danon joined CBS News 24/7 Mornings with more details on the war.
Spoiler alert! The latest contestant eliminated from "Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans" joins "CBS Mornings" to discuss his surprising elimination and if he has any regrets about how he played the game.
The Iran war has expanded into oil fields in the Middle East. CBS News' Ramy Inocencio and Willie James Inman report.