GoFundMe CEO Tim Cadogan recently faced a personal crisis when a deadly Los Angeles wildfire forced him to evacuate his family. However, he quickly found solace in the platform he co-founded. After setting up a fundraiser that raised almost $60,000 for neighbors and friends affected by the disaster, Cadogan realized the true power of generosity.
Cadogan’s experience highlights GoFundMe’s role in providing a lifeline during natural disasters. The platform has been used to raise over $1.1 billion in Australia since its local launch decade ago, with one in three Australians having used it to lend a hand to others. According to Cadogan, the key to success lies in allowing people to share their own stories, which enables individuals to react and help directly.
GoFundMe has also been instrumental in serving as a lifeline during wars, donating over $500 million to fundraisers for families and organizations working in Gaza in the past two years. However, the company has faced criticism for delaying payments and putting lives at risk.
Cadogan emphasizes the importance of trust and verification checks, which take a 2.2% cut from donations, slightly less for certified charities. He attributes GoFundMe’s success to empowering individuals and groups to spread the word using technology from the back-end, giving them the tools to share on social media platforms like Whatsapp, Reddit, Facebook, and Instagram.
Cadogan’s experience underscores the platform’s potential in times of crisis, and highlights its role in connecting people and providing a sense of community.
Source: https://aapnews.aap.com.au/news/how-a-platform-became-the-go-to-charity-hub-in-crises