History of GoFundMe in Timeline

GoFundMe is a for-profit crowdfunding platform enabling individuals to raise funds for various events, including celebrations, graduations, and hardship-related situations like accidents and illnesses. Since its inception in 2010, it has facilitated the raising of over $30 billion through contributions from more than 150 million donors. The platform serves as a tool for individuals and groups to solicit financial assistance from a broad audience for diverse needs.

2008: CreateAFund Launched

In 2008, Brad Damphousse and Andrew Ballester created the website under the name "CreateAFund".

May 2010: GoFundMe Founded

In May 2010, Brad Damphousse and Andrew Ballester founded GoFundMe in San Diego, California, building it off of PayPal's API.

2010: GoFundMe's Initial Operations

In 2010, GoFundMe began operations as a crowdfunding platform, facilitating fundraising for various life events and challenging circumstances.

2014: Tuition Project Success

In 2014, a tuition project on GoFundMe raised over $100,000 for a homeless high school valedictorian to attend college and support his family.

May 27, 2015: Louis Daniel Smith Found Guilty

On May 27, 2015, Louis Daniel Smith, who had a GoFundMe for his legal defense, was found guilty of fraud and other charges related to selling "MMS" (Miracle Mineral Supplement).

May 31, 2015: mmsdefensefund Removed from GoFundMe

On May 31, 2015, the mmsdefensefund, which supported Louis Daniel Smith, was removed from GoFundMe after he was found guilty of fraud.

June 2015: GoFundMe Sells Majority Stake

In June 2015, Damphousse and Ballester agreed to sell a majority stake in GoFundMe to Accel Partners and Technology Crossover Ventures. The deal valued GoFundMe at around $600 million, and Damphousse and Ballester stepped down from day-to-day oversight.

2015: GoFundMe Ends Support for Legal Defense Funds

In 2015, GoFundMe announced that it would no longer support legal defense funds after suspending funding for Sweet Cakes by Melissa, a bakery fined for refusing to bake a cake for a same-sex wedding.

2016: GoFundMe's Revenue Milestone

In 2016, GoFundMe generated $100 million in revenue, reflecting its growing success in the crowdfunding market.

January 2017: GoFundMe Acquires CrowdRise

In January 2017, GoFundMe acquired CrowdRise, expanding its platform and reach in the crowdfunding market.

March 2017: GoFundMe Becomes Largest Crowdfunding Platform

In March 2017, GoFundMe became the biggest crowdfunding platform, having raised over $3 billion since 2010.

November 2017: GoFundMe Eliminates Platform Fees

In November 2017, GoFundMe announced it would no longer charge a 5% fee per donation for US, Canada, and UK individual campaigns, relying instead on donor tips, while still applying credit card processing fees.

November 2017: GoFundMe Reinstates Legal Defense Funds

As of November 2017, GoFundMe's terms and conditions allow for campaigns for certain kinds of legal defense, reversing the previous ban on legal defense funds.

February 14, 2018: Fundraisers for Stoneman Douglas High School Shooting Victims

On February 14, 2018, numerous fundraisers were created on GoFundMe for individual victims of the Stoneman Douglas High School Shooting in Parkland, Florida, to aid in survivors' recovery and to fund causes chosen by the families of the deceased.

2018: Social Media Impact on Donations

According to a 2018 GoFundMe report, a donor sharing a campaign on social media results in an average of $15 in donations, while any share results in $13 in donations.

March 2019: GoFundMe Bans Anti-Vaccine Activists

In March 2019, GoFundMe banned fundraisers from anti-vaccine activists, including Stop Mandatory Vaccination founder Larry Cook, due to violations of their terms of service.

May 2019: Anti-Vaccine Campaigns Still Running

Despite the ban in March 2019, The Independent found that several anti-vaccine campaigns were still running on GoFundMe as of May 2019.

June 2019: GoFundMe Terminates Fundraiser for Israel Folau

In June 2019, GoFundMe terminated a $3 million fund-raiser for Australian rugby player Israel Folau due to homophobic comments made on social media.

August 2020: Humanity Forward Foundation Matches Donations

In August 2020, Andrew Yang's Humanity Forward Foundation committed to matching donations to The $1K Project, dollar-for-dollar, up to $1 million.

August 2020: Brian Kolfage Indicted for Fraud

In August 2020, Brian Kolfage, the founder of We Build the Wall, and others were indicted on federal charges of defrauding donors by diverting money raised on GoFundMe for personal use.

October 2020: The $1K Project Milestone

As of mid-October 2020, The $1K Project, which uses GoFundMe pages to match donors with families affected by the coronavirus pandemic, had fully funded more than 800 families.

May 2021: Brian Kolfage Indicted on Tax Charges

In May 2021, Brian Kolfage was separately indicted on federal charges of defrauding the IRS and filing false tax returns.

December 2021: GoFundMe Enabled Donations to Anti-Vaccine Campaigns

In December 2021, The Sunday Times reported that GoFundMe had enabled the donation of over €300,000 to anti-vaccine campaigns and challenges to vaccine certificates.

January 2022: Freedom Convoy 2022 Fundraiser Created

In January 2022, a GoFundMe project was created to raise money for fuel and food for the Freedom Convoy 2022, organized by truck drivers protesting vaccine mandates in Canada.

February 4, 2022: GoFundMe Removes Freedom Convoy Fundraiser

On February 4, 2022, GoFundMe announced the removal of the Freedom Convoy 2022 fundraiser, which had raised money for fuel and food for truck drivers protesting vaccine mandates in Canada, due to violations of terms of service related to violence and unlawful activity.

May 2022: GoFundMe Acquires Classy

In May 2022, GoFundMe announced the acquisition of nonprofit donation site Classy, which will operate as a wholly-owned subsidiary.

January 2023: GoFundMe Funneled Donations to COVID-19 Vaccine Injury Fundraisers

In January 2023, Logically reported that GoFundMe had funneled over $330,000 in donations to fundraisers for injuries supposedly caused by the COVID-19 vaccine.

June 2023: Controversial Crowdfunding for Police Officer's Family

In June 2023, following the killing of Nahel Merzouk by a French police officer, a controversial crowdfunding campaign in favor of the officer's family was organized by Jean Messiha, reaching €1.6 million. The killing sparked widespread protests and riots in France.

August 2023: GoFundMe Freezes Funds for The Grayzone

In August 2023, GoFundMe froze more than $90,000 from 1,100 contributors to The Grayzone, citing unspecified "external concerns" believed to be political.

December 2024: Campaigns for Alleged Shooter Removed

In December 2024, multiple campaigns for the legal defense fund of the alleged shooter involved in the killing of UnitedHealthCare CEO Brian Thompson were removed from GoFundMe.