GoFundMe

My first National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) conference is in the books! It only took me more than a decade in the journalism business to get here but it was worth the wait. I often heard that the annual National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) Convention and Career Fair is like a family reunion and I felt that. I was able to reconnect with peers and forge new friendships. I'm grateful for the chance to showcase GoFundMe's impactful work, especially our Black Joy initiative, where we highlight fundraisers that affect the African-American community. A huge thank you to my colleagues Ashlie Ouzts, Leigh Lehman and Lili Strasser for helping us host a terrific networking event at the conference as well. Send me a message if you want to work together to tell the amazing stories of our organizers on GoFundMe. #NABJ  #GoFundMe #GFM #BlackJoy #Chicago #ChiTown #Journalism #PublicRelations #Communications #FAMU #FAMUAlum

When wildfires hit Maui, Hawai'i local Kenna Reed wanted to provide trusted aid to the displaced 'ohana of Lāhainā and Kula quickly and directly. After her Google sheet of verified people who lost their homes and livelihoods went viral, she started a fundraiser to raise money to help these people. Reed turned to us to distribute the money. The fund has raised over $800,000 and continues to grow, turning 98.8% of the funds raised into grants for those displaced by the fires and seeking help on the GoFundMe platform. Grants have been distributed equitably as donations came in. In all, nearly 1,300 individual fundraisers received a minimum $400 grant from the Help Maui Rise fund. Today, Kenna and her amazing team at Help Maui Rise continue to provide compassionate and transparent support to families recovering from the wildfires, especially those who are most vulnerable. The fund is still active, as this work is far from over. People impacted by last year’s fires can apply for a grant, and those eligible will be issued grants based on their needs. Kenna and Help Maui Rise are this for the long haul, and we are, too. gofundme.com/helpmauirise

I am overfilled with joy after attending NABJ in Chicago! The historic conference was an inspiring and transformative experience. I am thankful to have been part of the insightful workshops and networking sessions. I left with new ideas and a renewed passion for storytelling that will help improve my role as a Communications Manager with GoFundMe so I can continue sharing fundraisers and story ideas with journalists across the nation. Special thank you to GoFundMe for sending me and my colleagues Cornell Wedge, Leigh Lehman and Lili Strasser to the amazing convention and career fair! I am beyond thankful to be a part of a company that invests in its employees so we can continue helping people help each other. During NABJ, our GoFundMe team hosted a networking reception to share more about how we ‘Celebrate Black Joy’ at GoFundMe. Thank you to everyone who attended the event. We are so thankful we were able to meet and connect with you all in person! We look forward to working with you and your team to continue impactful storytelling. Learn More about this work here: https://gfme.co/3Wy2JTz A huge thank you to NABJ for organizing such a fantastic event and to all the amazing people I had the pleasure of connecting with. Let's continue to uplift each other and tell the stories that matter. #NABJ #GoFundMe #BlackJoy #Chicago #Journalists

💚 GoFundMe Givesback 💚 Our Givesback program lets employees nominate fundraisers that touch their hearts to receive a grant from GoFundMe. Since its launch in 2012, the program has donated over $9M to the GoFundMe community across a diverse range of causes and moments. Here’s a fundraiser chosen by Robin Hilkey on our Creative Studio team!

Flavor Flav’s support for athletes throughout these Paris Games is nothing short of remarkable, and we’re thrilled GoFundMe could play a part in his quest for greatness. This is what showing up looks like. This is what help can do. 🏃♀️ 🏊 🥇

Teachers, we see you, and we want to help. Whether you’re planning a field trip, restocking classroom supplies, or upgrading to a smart board, GoFundMe is committed to helping you lower these out-of-pocket expenses by giving out grants of up to $500 to help you do what you do best. Click the link to easily start a fundraiser and be considered for a grant today: https://gfme.co/4c7ktLa

🌟 Supporting Athletes for the Paris Games 🥇 🇫🇷 We are one week out from what is bound to be an incredible and exciting few weeks of athletic achievements! Athletes have been training for months, years, or even their entire lives to compete on this global stage. What may (or may not!) be surprising is that athletes and their families often face extensive costs associated to training, equipment, travel, and lodging both to compete and support their loved ones. Many turn to GoFundMe and their community to help them achieve their goals. 👟 Aaliyah Butler, a Track and Field star from The University of Georgia, will be pursuing her dreams and competing for Team USA in the 400m. Her family hopes to join her in Paris to cheer her on and is fundraising to help alleviate the costs to do so. Let's help get Aaliyah's family to Paris by sharing or even donating. More on their story here: https://gofund.me/298b6c97 🌎 There are lots of qualified athletes around the world looking for support. While they may be competing with one another for the gold, athletes everywhere are covering costs to do their job. You can show support by donating or sharing their funds to ensure they can focus on their upcoming competition. https://lnkd.in/gtqGrbJj #sports #paris2024 #trackandfield #fundraising #community #fundraiserfridays #gofundme

Here is the verified GoFundMe to support the victims and families affected by yesterday’s shooting at the Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania

As the summer games in Paris approach, all eyes are on the athletes who are passionately pursuing their dreams. At GoFundMe, we witness their dedication long before the gold medal is in sight. Since 2022, athletes worldwide have raised over $2 million to qualify for and participate in the 2024 Paris games. These athletes pour their hearts into their training, driven by the desire to represent their countries on the global stage. Yet the financial burden often stands as their greatest obstacle. While the public’s attention may turn to the games every few years, preparation and fundraising are year-round endeavors for these hopeful athletes. Training at the highest level demands significant financial resources. While well-known athletes and popular sports often secure sponsorships, many others rely on the generosity of friends, family, and their communities to fund their athletic dreams through platforms like GoFundMe. Beyond physical and financial challenges, athletes often juggle full-time jobs, family commitments, and unexpected setbacks. Even after qualifying, the pursuit of gold can remain daunting. The road to Paris involves sacrifices not only from athletes but also from their families, who support them every step of the way to be there in the stands cheering them on during competition. This summer, Paris will host athletes whose journeys echo many of those who came before them. Over the past decade, athletes worldwide have raised more than $25 million on GoFundMe to help them compete for gold on the world’s biggest stage. Each athlete’s path to greatness is unique– whether balancing full-time employment with rigorous training, staging a remarkable comeback, or ensuring their loved ones witness their peak performance. Discover these stories and more on our 2024 #Paris Games hub, where hundreds of #athletes share their inspiring journeys: https://gfme.co/3W0tWy3

How is AI being used in fundraising? Our CEO Tim Cadogan explains to Fortune's Peter Vanham: “We have recently introduced AI-enhanced storytelling options, suggested fundraiser titles, and a new class of sharing tools. These innovations use AI to apply the lessons we’ve learned from over $30 billion in fundraising, while always keeping the integrity and authenticity of the individual fundraiser’s story at the core.” Follow the link to read more about how we think about AI, the increase in fundraising for natural disasters, and the ways Tim stays motivated: https://gfme.co/3S5KTG9