In the past few years before now. The way people help one another has improved greatly. When a family member needs help, they get support from their relatives and immediate family members.
Whenever there’s a project in the community, people in that area put hands together to achieve the project. It could be building a water project for the community. Individuals in the community can team up to accomplish this. They can group themselves, some would focus on setting up the boreholes. Some would contribute money to buy the storage tank, and so on. This collective tasks takes time to fulfill.
In addition, a student who won a scholarship to study abroad needs support with travel expenses. A cash on hand before settling into the new school environment. The student may seek financial aid from close friends, family members and concerned relatives in order to achieve this.
All these means of achieving a collective project, getting support from family, relatives and friends takes a while to achieve.
But today, online funding has turned neighbourhood funding into a global funding.
These platforms help people, community and organizations raise money for what they need.
Small collective contributions from different people globally amount to a large sum.
It gives people the chance to tell their stories in order to convince donors to support their purpose. Sharing your experiences helps to create impact and connection with people.
Some fundraising platforms cater to various needs, while others are narrowed down to one purpose.
People go to public finding during difficult times. Life can be quite uncertain, someone might need to rebuild a collapsed house. Someone may need money for sudden ill health that cost a lot. And other reasons why people turn to the public for help.
These platforms take care of people’s needs allowing donors from from far away countries to assist them.
Public funding has a strong effect in the local community. The platform can help the locals build good schools, set up the classroom and provide books for learning. That’s the power of public funding. It takes away the burden of funding for a particular project from one or two persons to a collective funding.
Communities can take action by using these platforms wisely to cater for the general needs of the locals rather than depending solely on the government.
Furthermore, charity organizations can reach to a larger audience in a short time through collective funding. Many charity organizations partners with some of these platform for regular help from the public. The platform in return make sure that donated funds get to the right people. Donors get receipts for the contributions they made. They also use the receipt for tax purposes.
Some collective funding sites is majorly for help and giving, while some are made particularly for funding business operations.
Entrepreneurs use this site to fund for a business expansion. Young merchants can get funds to start-up a new business. Donors often get appreciated in exchange for their support.
However, the success of collective funding depends heavily on the strength of your story. It’s not about requesting for a fund, it depends on how you’re able to convince donors to why you need their aid.
Through videos, pictures, regular and daily updates, you can build a strong connection with your audience. This helps to raise a good sum of money within a short period.
When people give money, they’re helping you reach your goal.
Furthermore, the combination of social media and a good public funding platform can make your story go viral.
People will be moved by your story, leading to support from strangers across the globe the world.
Nevertheless, let’s go further into one of these public funding site; which is GoFundMe supported countries.
What is GoFundMe?
GoFundMe is one of the oldest and most popular collective funding platform. It’s created to help individuals with different needs raise money for almost any cause. GoFundMe is a global community that has helped millions of people raise money for personal requirements, communities needs and charity support.
Common Ways People Use GoFundMe
People use the GoFundMe to appeal for funds for a different reason. They include:
- To cover bills for the treatment of long term ill health, after their funds have run out.
- To cover bills for emergency disaster like rebuilding of homes from fire outbreak or flood.
- Funding for school trips and tuition fees for college or advanced programs.
- Helping families cover the high costs of burial expenses.
- Charity support for the underprivileged. The funds goes directly to the organization.
People contribute money to help neighbors or even strangers who’re facing sudden hardships which helps to restore hope and stability.
People build a community of friendship through GoFundMe. It allows families, friends and people in far away countries to show their support.
How GoFundMe Works
- Visit the site, click start a GoFundMe. Create a Fundraiser account. Follow the sign up steps. Set a goal by deciding how much money you need to raise. You may change this amount later on if you want.
- Choose the category that fits your needs. This helps the right donors locate you. Once your account is ready, you’ll get a link attached to your account.
- Talk about your story. Add good and clear videos and pictures. This will increase your chances of getting many donors who believe in your story.
- Make good use of all your social media platforms. Share your GoFundMe link to the public on your TikTok, WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts. For friends, relatives and families, you can share your link to them through their email address. Make sure to update your social media status regular to build trust from strangers.
- Reaching your goals before withdrawing your money is not a necessity. Beneficiaries can use Stripe or PayPal account to receive funds from donors. However, you must link your bank account for direct transfer of funds from either Stripe or PayPal to your account. Furthermore, you must take your donated funds within a month after donation. If not taken within 3 months, donations will be refunded to the donors.
- No fee is required to start up and manage the account. But a token from each contribution made to you goes to GoFundMe for maintaining the platform.
Money-back guarantee helps to protect the interest of donors. Misused funds by beneficiaries. This step is necessary to prevent funds from being misused or ending up with the wrong person.
In case of fraud, donors get their full funds refunded. This helps to build funds in the platform.
Unlike some funding platforms, you can withdrawal and keep your funds once they comes in. This is very helpful especially for emergency medical needs or disaster.
List of GoFundMe Supported Countries:
- United States
- Australia
- Canada
- United Kingdom
- Mexico
- France
- Germany
- Ireland
- Italy
- Luxembourg
- Netherlands
- Austria
- Belgium
- Denmark
- Finland
- Norway
- Portugal
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
List of GoFundMe Supported States in the USA
United States of America is one of the GoFundMe Supported Countries. However, individuals in any of the 50 states in the United States that wants to start a fundraising campaign must have a residential address in one of the 50 states.
A bank account in your name, Individual Taxpayer Identification Number and a valid U.S. Social Security number is a needed.
In addition, 18 years old is the minimum age to join this platform for people in the Unites States.
GoFundMe Alternatives:
- Givebutter
- Kickstarter
- Patreon
- Indiegogo
- Donorbox
- FreeFunder
Conclusion
Online funding platforms have publicized how people give. They’ve made it possible for a single voice to be heard by a large group of people.
Individuals receive funds for needs they thought would be impossible to attain.
These funds has helped solve the needs and problems of individuals, families and entire community.
GoFundMe supported countries are regions that can use this platform. GoFundMe gives hope to people who truly needs help from the public through the platform.
Aside creating an account with the platform, receivers must have their own bank account including dwelling address before getting their funds.
People in Asia and Africa can’t use GoFundMe to raise money. However, someone in
GoFundMe supported countries can manage the funds for them.
Those in unsupported locations can check other alternative that may fit into their needs.
Finally, check the list of GoFundMe available countries to know where it works before you start planning.