With Hurricane Irma’s devastation heading towards the U.S. southeastern mainland, global crowdfunding platform GoFundMe announced it is taking measures to ensuring that its giving community’s generosity is protected as campaigns dedicated to the relief are starting to launch. The funding portal revealed on Thursday:
“Our Trust & Safety Team briefed officials in Florida on the steps we take to protect donors and recipients. We explained our guarantee that all of the funds raised on GoFundMe go to the right place. One of the main points we discussed is the fact that GoFundMe has the ability to transfer funds directly to those in need. When a campaign is created to help another person or family, the funds are collected, held, and then transferred directly to the beneficiary of the GoFundMe rather than to the campaign organizer. That’s just one of the many ways we secure the platform and make sure the money quickly gets to the right party. Our team will provide around-the-clock support. We are hoping for the best, planning for the worst, and we will stay in close touch with all organizers and beneficiaries to ensure the resources get to people in need as soon as possible.”
To ensure all funds are going to the proper causes, GoFundMe explained that the funds are collected by its payment processors, held, and then released only to the person named as the beneficiary. If a campaign organizer has a direct, personal connection to the beneficiary, then in some instances the campaign organizer may withdraw the funds to provide directly to the beneficiary. If any questions arise, the GoFundMe team will hold the funds unless the beneficiary is verified to our satisfaction. The platform noted that this layer of protection ensures that funds go only into the right hands.
GoFundMe also noted there are two crucial features users can find on each and every GoFundMe: a contact button for the campaign organizer (the person who started the campaign), and a ‘Report Campaign’ button. If users have any questions about the campaign, they can reach the organizer and ask them directly. In addition, clicking the ‘Report Campaign’ will result in one of our specialists investigating the campaign. GoFundMe stated that it takes these reports very seriously, and it will take immediate action if anything is wrong.
“When all’s said and done, what matters most to us is that you are protected and those who need help get the help they deserve.”
Since its launch in 2010, GoFundMe’s community has raised $4 billion and has a community of more than 40 million donors. Campaigns for Hurricane Irma are now available here.
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