Does GoFundMe Take A Percentage? A Comprehensive Guide To Understand The Fees

Dr. Joany Weissnat 20 Jun 2025

Understanding how GoFundMe works is essential if you're planning to start a fundraiser or contribute to one. Many people wonder, "Does GoFundMe take a percentage?" The answer lies in the platform's fee structure, which we will explore in detail in this article. Whether you're raising money for a personal cause, a charity, or a friend in need, knowing the financial mechanics of GoFundMe can help you make informed decisions.

GoFundMe has become one of the most popular crowdfunding platforms globally, helping millions of people raise funds for various causes. However, before diving into the process, it's crucial to understand how the platform operates financially. This article will break down the fees associated with GoFundMe, including whether they take a percentage of your raised funds.

By the end of this guide, you'll have a clear understanding of GoFundMe's fee structure, how it compares to other platforms, and tips to maximize your fundraising efforts while minimizing costs. Let's get started!

How GoFundMe Works
Does GoFundMe Take a Percentage?
GoFundMe Fee Breakdown
Payment Processing Fees
Charity Fundraising on GoFundMe
GoFundMe vs. Other Crowdfunding Platforms
Tips to Minimize Fees
Common Questions About GoFundMe Fees
GoFundMe's Commitment to Transparency
Conclusion

How GoFundMe Works

GoFundMe is an online crowdfunding platform that allows individuals and organizations to raise money for personal causes, medical expenses, charitable initiatives, and more. The platform operates on a simple model: creators set up a campaign, share it with their network, and receive donations from supporters. But does GoFundMe take a percentage of the funds raised?

In most cases, GoFundMe does not charge a platform fee for personal fundraising campaigns. However, there are other costs associated with using the service, such as payment processing fees. These fees are designed to cover the costs of securely handling transactions and ensuring a smooth user experience.

Key Features of GoFundMe

No platform fee for personal campaigns.
Secure payment processing for donors.
Tools to help promote and share your campaign.
Support for both domestic and international fundraising.

Does GoFundMe Take a Percentage?

The short answer is no—GoFundMe does not take a percentage of the funds raised for personal campaigns. This means that the platform itself does not charge any fees for creating or running a campaign. However, there are third-party payment processing fees that apply to each donation.

For personal campaigns, GoFundMe partners with payment processors to handle transactions. These processors charge a small fee for each donation, which is deducted from the amount received by the campaign creator. It's important to note that this fee is separate from the platform itself and is standard across most crowdfunding platforms.

Exceptions to the Rule

While GoFundMe does not charge a percentage for personal campaigns, there are some exceptions. For example, charity fundraising campaigns may incur additional fees depending on the organization's partnership with GoFundMe. Always check the specific terms for your campaign type to ensure you understand all potential costs.

GoFundMe Fee Breakdown

To fully understand the costs involved in using GoFundMe, let's break down the fee structure in detail:

Platform Fee: No platform fee for personal campaigns.
Payment Processing Fee: 2.9% of each donation plus $0.30 per transaction (for U.S. campaigns).
International Fees: Additional fees may apply for campaigns outside the U.S., depending on the country and currency.

These fees are designed to cover the operational costs associated with running a secure and reliable platform. While they may seem small, they can add up, especially for larger campaigns.

Understanding Payment Processing Fees

Payment processing fees are charged by third-party providers to handle transactions securely. These fees ensure that donations are transferred safely and efficiently to the campaign creator's account. In the U.S., the standard fee is 2.9% of each donation plus a flat fee of $0.30 per transaction.

Payment Processing Fees

Payment processing fees are an essential part of GoFundMe's fee structure. As mentioned earlier, these fees are charged by third-party providers and are necessary for ensuring secure transactions. Here's a closer look at how these fees work:

In the U.S., the payment processing fee is 2.9% of each donation plus a flat fee of $0.30 per transaction. For example, if someone donates $100, the fee would be $2.90 (2.9% of $100) plus $0.30, totaling $3.20. The remaining $96.80 would be transferred to the campaign creator's account.

International Payment Processing Fees

For campaigns outside the U.S., payment processing fees may vary depending on the country and currency. In some cases, additional fees may apply for currency conversion or international transactions. Always review the specific terms for your region to understand the full cost of using GoFundMe.

Charity Fundraising on GoFundMe

GoFundMe also offers a platform for charity fundraising, allowing nonprofit organizations to raise money for their causes. While the fee structure for charity campaigns is similar to personal campaigns, there are some differences to note:

Charity campaigns may incur additional fees depending on the organization's partnership with GoFundMe.
Some charities may choose to absorb the payment processing fees to ensure that donors' contributions go directly to the cause.
GoFundMe Charity provides tools and resources specifically designed for nonprofit organizations.

For charity fundraising, it's important to review the specific terms and conditions to understand all potential costs. Additionally, consider discussing fee arrangements with your organization to ensure transparency with donors.

GoFundMe Charity Features

GoFundMe Charity offers a range of features to help nonprofit organizations succeed in their fundraising efforts. These include:

Customizable donation pages.
Integration with social media platforms for increased visibility.
Tools to track and manage donations.

GoFundMe vs. Other Crowdfunding Platforms

When comparing GoFundMe to other crowdfunding platforms, it's important to consider the fee structure, features, and overall user experience. Here's a quick comparison of GoFundMe with some of its competitors:

GoFundMe: No platform fee for personal campaigns; payment processing fee of 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction.
GoGetFunding: Platform fee of 5%; payment processing fee of 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction.
Indiegogo: Platform fee of 5% for flexible funding; payment processing fee of 3% + $0.30 per transaction.

As you can see, GoFundMe's fee structure is competitive, especially for personal campaigns where there is no platform fee. However, it's important to review the specific terms of each platform to determine which one is the best fit for your needs.

Key Considerations

When choosing a crowdfunding platform, consider the following factors:

Fee structure and transparency.
Features and tools available for campaign management.
Reputation and user reviews.

Tips to Minimize Fees

While GoFundMe's fee structure is straightforward, there are ways to minimize the impact of payment processing fees on your campaign. Here are some tips to help you maximize your fundraising efforts:

Encourage donors to cover the payment processing fees during their donation.
Set realistic fundraising goals to account for potential fees.
Use GoFundMe's promotional tools to reach a wider audience and increase donations.

By implementing these strategies, you can ensure that more of the funds raised go directly to your cause.

Additional Strategies

Consider the following additional strategies to further reduce fees:

Partner with local businesses or organizations to sponsor your campaign.
Offer incentives or rewards for larger donations to encourage higher contributions.
Utilize social media platforms to promote your campaign and attract more donors.

Common Questions About GoFundMe Fees

Here are some frequently asked questions about GoFundMe fees:

Q: Does GoFundMe take a percentage of donations?

No, GoFundMe does not take a percentage of donations for personal campaigns. However, payment processing fees apply to each transaction.

Q: Are there any hidden fees on GoFundMe?

GoFundMe is committed to transparency and does not charge hidden fees. All fees are clearly outlined in their terms and conditions.

Q: Can I avoid payment processing fees on GoFundMe?

While you cannot completely avoid payment processing fees, you can encourage donors to cover the fees during their donation. This ensures that more of the funds raised go directly to your cause.

GoFundMe's Commitment to Transparency

GoFundMe prides itself on its commitment to transparency. The platform clearly outlines all fees and terms, ensuring that users understand the costs associated with using their service. This transparency has helped GoFundMe build trust with millions of users worldwide.

In addition to fee transparency, GoFundMe also provides tools and resources to help users succeed in their fundraising efforts. These include promotional tools, campaign management features, and customer support to address any questions or concerns.

Conclusion

In conclusion, understanding whether GoFundMe takes a percentage of donations is crucial for anyone planning to use the platform. While GoFundMe does not charge a platform fee for personal campaigns, payment processing fees apply to each transaction. By understanding the fee structure and implementing strategies to minimize costs, you can maximize the impact of your fundraising efforts.

We encourage you to share this article with others who may benefit from the information. If you have any questions or feedback, please leave a comment below. And don't forget to explore other articles on our site for more tips and insights on crowdfunding and personal finance.

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