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.
After Trump insisted talks with Iran were "going on continuously," Iran fired a deadly missile and drone salvo at Kuwait, claiming retaliation for new U.S. strikes.
Senate Republicans are preparing to move forward with a package to fund the Department of Homeland Security's immigration agencies Wednesday.
The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene early Wednesday morning, the Bakersfield Police Department said.
CBS News projects that incumbent Mayor Karen Bass will advance to the November election, while her opponents, Councilmember Nithya Raman and political newcomer Spencer Pratt, compete for the final spot.
Air traffic control also referred to the pilot of a small plane as "Mad Max."
Protesters angry over the murder of Henry Nowak and the way he was treated by officers after being fatally stabbed clashed violently with British police.
Beneficiaries would continue receiving payments if Social Security's trust fund is depleted, but checks could shrink by about 24%, according to a new report.
The Trump administration has unveiled proposed tariffs of 10% or more on dozens of countries accused of failing to crack down on forced labor, including some of the U.S.'s largest trading partners.
The fire started in the ground floor restaurant of an India hotel popular with patients at a nearby healthcare facility.
Air traffic control also referred to the pilot of a small plane as "Mad Max."
A Virginia woman alleges she suffered serious injuries after slipping on what appeared to be mashed potatoes at an Outback Steakhouse.
Beneficiaries would continue receiving payments if Social Security's trust fund is depleted, but checks could shrink by about 24%, according to a new report.
Senate Republicans are preparing to move forward with a package to fund the Department of Homeland Security's immigration agencies Wednesday.
Come January, pregnancy care physician billing codes will change from a bundled system to an à la carte one.
The Points Guy's annual ranking gives extra weight to affordability this year as higher fuel costs and airline fees squeeze travelers.
A Virginia woman alleges she suffered serious injuries after slipping on what appeared to be mashed potatoes at an Outback Steakhouse.
Beneficiaries would continue receiving payments if Social Security's trust fund is depleted, but checks could shrink by about 24%, according to a new report.
Come January, pregnancy care physician billing codes will change from a bundled system to an à la carte one.
The Trump administration has unveiled proposed tariffs of 10% or more on dozens of countries accused of failing to crack down on forced labor, including some of the U.S.'s largest trading partners.
Senate Republicans are preparing to move forward with a package to fund the Department of Homeland Security's immigration agencies Wednesday.
Businessman and self-described outsider Toby Doeden and incumbent Gov. Larry Rhoden will advance to a runoff for the GOP nomination for South Dakota governor, CBS News projects.
The Trump administration has unveiled proposed tariffs of 10% or more on dozens of countries accused of failing to crack down on forced labor, including some of the U.S.'s largest trading partners.
MAHA-aligned Republican Zach Lahn will face Democrat Rob Sand in this year's race for Iowa governor, setting up what could be an unusually competitive contest in a red-leaning state.
The superseding indictment does not contain any new charges or name new defendants from the original version, which was returned in April.
Come January, pregnancy care physician billing codes will change from a bundled system to an à la carte one.
A flesh-eating New World screwworm was recently detected in Mexico just 25 miles from the United States border, according to the USDA.
While 330 Ebola infections are confirmed in central Africa and huge challenges remain, hundreds more suspected cases "have been cleared out," the WHO says.
A new drug was shown in trials to keep pancreatic cancer patients alive for twice as long as chemotherapy alone. Dr. Jon LaPook has more.
Sentri7, drug diversion software powered by artificial intelligence and used at hundreds of U.S. hospitals, did not catch a monthslong string of fentanyl thefts in Tennessee in 2025, according to a state document.
The discovery comes in the midst of a U.S.-backed military crackdown on the organized crime gangs in Ecuador.
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.
The fire started in the ground floor restaurant of an India hotel popular with patients at a nearby healthcare facility.
Police on the eastern Caribbean island of St. Kitts and Nevis say they found the body of a Chinese cruise ship passenger who went missing last week.
Protesters angry over the murder of Henry Nowak and the way he was treated by officers after being fatally stabbed clashed violently with British police.
Jon Hamm previews "Your Friends & Neighbors" season 2 finale, saying "it is satisfying" and provides some answers for fans. He also talks about the relatability of the show's characters and reflects on "Mad Men."
André De Shields speaks to "CBS Mornings" about starring in "Cats: The Jellicle Ball," which is a reimagining of Andrew Lloyd Webber's classical musical told through the lens of ballroom culture. De Shields talks about bringing ballroom to Broadway and his latest Tony nomination.
The 25th edition of the film and media festival opens on Wednesday, showcasing more than 100 world premiere documentaries and narrative features, as well as short films, live music, podcasts and conversations with leading entertainment figures.
The sci-fi horror flick "Backrooms" was the number one movie in the U.S. as of Tuesday. The filmmaker behind the movie, 20-year-old YouTuber Kane Parsons, is now the youngest director with a number one film globally. Brooks Barnes, The New York Times' chief Hollywood correspondent, joins "The Daily Report" to discuss.
Peabo Bryson, a two-time Grammy-winning singer and songwriter known for Disney movie hits "Beauty and the Beast" and "A Whole New World," has died at age 75.
Patrick McGee, a contributing writer for The Free Press, joins CBS News 24/7 to discuss his latest column about how Intel's semiconductor chips could be the key to bolstering the U.S. economy. Paramount Skydance owns The Free Press and CBS News.
Developments in artificial intelligence are happening very quickly, and so are mass layoffs as corporations rapidly embrace the technology. But now some companies like Uber and Microsoft are starting to second-guess aggressive AI adoption. Reyhan Harmanci, director of features at Wired magazine, joins to discuss the state of AI in corporate America.
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.
A Virginia man is suing Amazon over Ring's "Familiar Faces" feature, alleging the technology violates people's privacy.
Florida has filed a civil suit against OpenAI and its CEO Sam Altman, accusing them of deceiving users. Jo Ling Kent explains.
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.
The FLEX Rover will be equipped to carry two astronauts and traverse hundreds of miles of lunar terrain.
Authorities in Bakersfield, California, offered details Wednesday on the hourslong standoff with a suspect who barricaded himself in a bank "with several community members," according to police. The situation ended early Wednesday when FBI personnel shot the suspect, authorities said.
The discovery comes in the midst of a U.S.-backed military crackdown on the organized crime gangs in Ecuador.
The FBI shot and killed a person suspected of holding people hostage at a bank in Bakersfield, California, police said, adding that all hostages are safe. CBS News' Jonathan Vigliotti has the latest.
Lynette Hooker's disappearance is being investigated as a possible murder, an official says, after her husband reported her missing during a sailing trip in the Bahamas. CBS News' Cristian Benavides reports.
Negotiations continue after a bank standoff in Southern California that began Tuesday, where hostages were taken. CBS News' Jonathan Vigliotti reports.
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.
Blue Origin assess the impact of Thursday's New Glenn explosion, prompting concern about NASA moon program delays.
A rare blue micromoon will appear in night skies this weekend. Here's what to expect.
Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin, Astrolab, Lunar Outpost and Firefly Aerospace are awarded with hundreds of millions of dollars in NASA contracts for the first phase of its moon base plans.
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.
Lawmakers grilled Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin during tense congressional hearings on Capitol Hill. CBS News' Taurean Small has more.
A deadly fire that broke out at the Flourish Inn Stay in southern Delhi's Malviya Nagar neighborhood killed at least 21 people, police said. CBS News' Shanelle Kaul has more.
Passengers on a Frontier Airlines flight, including a former MMA fighter, jumped in to restrain a man trying to open the plane's emergency exit midair. CBS News' Tom Hanson has more.
President Trump spoke about the war in Iran and a recent phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during an interview with the New York Post's "Pod Force One." CBS News senior White House and political correspondent Ed O'Keefe has more.
Authorities in Bakersfield, California, offered details Wednesday on the hourslong standoff with a suspect who barricaded himself in a bank "with several community members," according to police. The situation ended early Wednesday when FBI personnel shot the suspect, authorities said.