GoFundMe — fundraising through personal stories and community support

It is important that the project does not sell a product or create a reward system, but simply and sincerely asks for support. This platform works on precisely this logic. Here the emphasis is on the story, the purpose and the human context, rather than on marketing packaging. This format is well suited to cultural and social initiatives where trust and solidarity play a decisive role.

Focus on donations, not rewards.
The platform is powered solely by donations. There’s no need to invent gifts, tiers of support, or promise outcomes. This lowers the barrier to entry and allows creators to focus on what’s most important: on why the collection is needed, why it is important, and what situation it supports — an exhibition, a masterclass, research, a trip, an educational project, or a personal artistic initiative.

Quick setup and simple logic
To get started, simply describe your goal, add text and visual materials, and connect a payment method. The campaign requires no complex preparation and can be launched quickly — this is especially important in situations where support is needed here and now, rather than after lengthy planning.

Support is based on trust and empathy
Unlike platforms where fundraising is built around a product or a reward system, here the basis is personal motivation and collective participation. The audience supports the project because they share its values, not because they expect a reward. This format often works well for cultural and educational initiatives with a clear public purpose.

Payments and Geography
Payments are made by bank transfer or PayPal – the available methods depend on the author’s country of residence. The platform does not charge its own fees; only the standard fees of the payment systems are applied. GoFundMe is widely used in the United States, European countries and a number of other regions, and donations come from all over the world. Before launching a campaign, it is important to check which withdrawal methods are available in your country.

When the format is particularly well suited.
The platform is suitable for projects where personal story, community support and a transparent purpose are more important than commercial logic. These can include exhibitions, masterclasses, creative tours, educational programmes, local initiatives or situations where it is important for the artist or team to address the community directly.

This resource will be particularly useful
for artists, cultural initiatives and independent authors working on socially significant, educational or local projects who are looking for a simple way to receive support without a complex structure, awards or formal requirements.