GoFundMe's "Year in Help" report finds a 20% rise in campaigns for rent, utilities and groceries, with "Charity" and "Monthly Bills" the fastest‑growing categories. Food‑related fundraisers surged nearly sixfold between late October and early November, coinciding with a federal shutdown that affected SNAP benefits and federal pay. The platform averaged 2.5 donations per second, and Jan. 10 — amid the Los Angeles County wildfires — was its most generous day, with $265 million raised across all 50 states. Ireland ranked as the most generous country for the seventh year running.
GoFundMe Sees Surge In Campaigns For Rent, Food And Monthly Bills, Annual Report Finds
A GoFundMe Essentials Fund page. (GoFundMe)
GoFundMe's annual "Year in Help" analysis shows a significant rise in people turning to the platform for help covering everyday essentials such as rent, utilities and groceries.
The company reported that campaigns created to assist with rent, utilities and groceries increased by 20% year‑over‑year. The platform's fastest‑growing category was listed as "Charity", followed by a sharp increase in "Monthly Bills" campaigns.
Rising Affordability Concerns
GoFundMe said these trends reflect growing affordability concerns across the United States. Economists and some lawmakers have warned of sluggish wage growth for lower‑income workers, weakening consumer confidence and softer hiring — factors that help explain why more people sought help for basic needs this year.
Spike In Food-Related Fundraisers
The company recorded a nearly sixfold jump in food‑related fundraisers between late October and early November. GoFundMe noted that this surge coincided with a federal government shutdown that temporarily halted SNAP benefits and left tens of thousands of federal employees without pay for several weeks.
“In a year marked by natural disasters and growing everyday needs, the power of help united communities like never before: with 2.5 donations made every second on average, people across the globe came to GoFundMe to lift up others, support nonprofits, and strengthen communities,” GoFundMe said in a release.
Most Generous Moments And Places
Jan. 10 was identified as the site's single most generous day amid the Los Angeles County wildfires, when users across all 50 states raised a combined $265 million for wildfire relief. On a country level, Ireland was named the "most generous" nation for the seventh consecutive year, followed by the United States and the United Kingdom.
GoFundMe's report is self‑published and draws on the platform's internal campaign data. The company framed the trends as an illustration of communities stepping up to support each other during a year of natural disasters and growing everyday needs.
