Can You Have More Than One GoFundMe Campaign?

GoFundMe is a crowdfunding platform that helps individuals, groups, and organizations raise financial support for various causes, from personal medical expenses to community projects.

GoFundMe’s Approach to Multiple Campaigns

The GoFundMe platform permits individuals to create and manage multiple fundraising campaigns simultaneously. Each campaign must adhere to GoFundMe’s terms of service and community guidelines.

Funds raised through personal campaigns are generally treated as personal gifts and are typically not considered tax-deductible for the donor. However, if a campaign benefits a certified 501(c)(3) charity, donations may qualify for tax deductions for the donor. For the recipient, funds received for personal needs, such as medical expenses or disaster relief, are usually considered non-taxable gifts. If funds are provided in exchange for goods, services, or for a business venture, they may be subject to taxation as income. Organizers might receive an IRS Form 1099-K if gross payments exceed certain thresholds.

Creating and Linking Campaigns

Initiating a new, separate campaign on GoFundMe involves a straightforward process once a user logs into their account. Users are guided to establish a unique title for the campaign, articulate the specific cause for which funds are being sought, and set a clear fundraising goal. During setup, the platform prompts the organizer to specify whether the funds are being raised for themselves, another individual acting as a beneficiary, or a registered charity.

While GoFundMe does not feature a direct internal linking mechanism between personal campaigns, organizers can still reference or connect related efforts. This can be achieved by including links to other campaigns within the story section of a page or through regular updates. Integrating high-quality images and videos is also important, as these elements help to convey the campaign’s narrative effectively and engage potential donors. A custom URL can be created for each campaign, simplifying the sharing process across various communication channels. Additionally, GoFundMe offers the option to invite co-organizers who can assist with tasks like posting updates and thanking donors, thereby broadening the campaign’s reach and management capacity.

Managing Separate Fundraising Efforts

Effectively overseeing multiple active GoFundMe campaigns requires diligent organization and consistent communication. It is important to maintain clear and distinct communication with donors for each campaign to prevent any potential confusion regarding the allocation of their contributions. Providing regular updates on the progress of each individual campaign is also beneficial, as this practice helps to sustain donor engagement and reinforces trust. Expressing gratitude to donors for each specific contribution further strengthens the relationship and can encourage continued support.

Financial tracking for each campaign should be meticulously managed, ensuring that funds are directed precisely toward the stated purpose of that particular fundraising effort. Maintaining transparency about how the funds for each campaign will be utilized is also important for building and preserving donor confidence. Separate records for each campaign should be kept, particularly given the potential for organizers to receive an IRS Form 1099-K if certain payment thresholds are met. While personal donations are typically considered gifts and are not taxable income for the recipient when no goods or services are exchanged, it is important to note that funds raised for business ventures or in return for a product or service may be subject to income tax. For donors, contributions to personal campaigns are generally not tax-deductible, with deductibility typically limited to donations made to certified 501(c)(3) charitable organizations through the platform.