Gofundme: Has anyone used this?

[nacelle]

It seems an interesting way to raise money for things.
I am thinking about using this as i would like to go to trek con in vegas this year but am broke. What i earn is not enough. It wouldn't be so bad if it wasn't for the extortionate cost of the flights!
Unfortunately there is no other way to get there. I would love to take a boat but there aren't any. And the cruises across cost more than a flight!
Would this be a good idea? I hate to do it but even if i sell stuff on ebay im not going to get nearly the amount of money i need for the flight not counting the hotel either.

 

[DimesDan]

I'm sure there are people out there who would fund your trip to Sin City.........

 

[Amaris]

It seems an interesting way to raise money for things.
I am thinking about using this as i would like to go to trek con in vegas this year but am broke. What i earn is not enough. It wouldn't be so bad if it wasn't for the extortionate cost of the flights!
Unfortunately there is no other way to get there. I would love to take a boat but there aren't any. And the cruises across cost more than a flight!
Would this be a good idea? I hate to do it but even if i sell stuff on ebay im not going to get nearly the amount of money i need for the flight not counting the hotel either.

I've used it. You set up a page, lay out your cause or need, and ask for donations. You'll have to setup a bank account in order to withdraw the money, and they don't use Paypal as an option.

Keep in mind also, that their transaction service is WePay, who also gets a cut of your donations as a service fee. I believe the fee is 11%.

There is no time limit as to how long you can accept donations. In regards to things like taxes, as long as you don't go over the annual limit for gifting (for 2015 I believe it's $14,000), and as long as you're not offering services in exchange for the money, you won't have to pay anything in taxes at the end of the year. Of course, I'm not sure how it would work for the UK, so make certain you check your local tax laws for that one.

It is a good way to raise money for when you're in need, and people donate to thousands of various GoFundMe causes every day.

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

It can work well, I know someone who has raised 20k with it for a van fitted out for a wheelchair (shit is expensive here) and has now purchased the van.

If you want someone to pay for your holiday though you're gonna have to be funny or quirky or have some very sad reason you need to go there this year. Maybe a disease.

My copy if I was going to do that would be, "Live vicariously through ME!! Send me to Vegas!" and on and on.. you have to charm enough folk into forking over five pounds until it adds up.

 

[RJDiogenes]

I've never used it myself, but I've donated. Our local Horror Hostess, Penny Dreadful, hit some bad times when her husband was dying of cancer and their medical expenses went through the roof. She was able to get a lot of help through gofundme.

I don't know if people would be so eager to fund something like a convention jaunt, but let me know how successful you are-- I need a new computer.

 

[publiusr]

and baby needs a new pair of shoes...

 

[bbailey861]

Yeah, good luck with that.

 

[Robert Maxwell]

As others have noted: be funny, or have a good sob story (or both.) Those are the best ways to get funded.

Also, maybe offer some amusing rewards. It's not Kickstarter so you don't have to promise products or anything, but maybe some cute thank-you note offer or something. "I'll send you a personalized, autographed photo of me at the convention!"

 

[Amaris]

As others have noted: be funny, or have a good sob story (or both.) Those are the best ways to get funded.

Also, maybe offer some amusing rewards. It's not Kickstarter so you don't have to promise products or anything, but maybe some cute thank-you note offer or something. "I'll send you a personalized, autographed photo of me at the convention!"

You have to be careful with that, though. If you offer something in exchange for a donation, that can become taxable income (again, assuming one is doing this in the U.S.).

 

[SeerSGB]

Tried it, had (have) a shite ton of medical bills. Didn't work for us. It really boils down to how much "promotion", how many people you can reach. Cast a big net and hope to drag in a few small fish over time.