How to End a GoFundMe Campaign and Withdraw Funds

GoFundMe serves as a widely used online platform, enabling individuals to raise money for diverse causes, from personal emergencies and medical expenses to community projects. For those who have reached their fundraising goals or no longer require ongoing support, understanding the proper procedures for concluding a campaign and managing received funds is important.

Initiating Campaign Closure

Concluding a GoFundMe campaign involves specific actions within the platform to stop receiving new donations. Organizers have two primary options for ending their fundraiser: deleting the campaign entirely or turning off the ability to accept new donations while keeping the campaign page visible. Accessing these options begins by logging into the GoFundMe account and navigating to the campaign dashboard. Organizers can then select “Edit” or “Manage Campaign” to access campaign settings.

Within the campaign settings, options allow users to “Delete fundraiser” or “Turn donations off.” Choosing to turn off donations allows the campaign page to remain active and visible to the public, which can be beneficial for historical reference or for posting final updates to donors. If the “Delete fundraiser” option is selected, the campaign will no longer be accessible through the organizer’s account, though a summary version may remain publicly visible. Deleting the fundraiser does not automatically refund donors, nor does it affect any pending fund transfers.

Managing Funds After Closure

After a GoFundMe campaign concludes, organizers can withdraw the accumulated funds. The process involves setting up transfers to a designated bank account. To initiate a withdrawal, organizers navigate to the “Withdraw” or “Transfers” section within their GoFundMe dashboard. This step requires linking a bank account by providing accurate banking details, including routing and account numbers. This verification may take several business days, up to seven, to ensure funds are sent securely.

Once bank information is verified, funds transfer automatically based on the organizer’s chosen frequency, such as daily, weekly, or monthly. Individual donations take up to five business days to process before being included in a transfer. After funds leave GoFundMe, it takes an additional two to five business days for them to appear in the linked bank account. GoFundMe donations intended for personal use are considered non-taxable gifts by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Organizers may receive a Form 1099-K if certain thresholds are met. For calendar year 2025, the reporting threshold for third-party payment networks, including GoFundMe, is $5,000, regardless of the number of transactions. Receiving a Form 1099-K does not inherently mean the funds are taxable, but it signals that the IRS has been notified of the payments. Taxability arises if donations are given in exchange for goods or services, or if the campaign is for business purposes.

Informing Donors

Transparent communication with donors is an important part of concluding a GoFundMe campaign. Organizers should keep their supporters informed about the campaign’s progress and the ultimate use of the funds. The GoFundMe platform provides an “Updates” feature within the fundraiser dashboard, designed for this purpose. Organizers can access this feature to compose messages, add photos or videos, and share them directly with their donor base.

These updates serve as a valuable tool for expressing gratitude and demonstrating accountability. Organizers can use this space to thank donors for their contributions, explain how the funds were utilized, and share any achievements or milestones made possible by their support. Regular updates, even after the campaign has officially ended, help maintain trust and foster a sense of community among those who contributed. This ongoing engagement can be as simple as a final thank-you message or a detailed summary of the campaign’s impact.