GoFundMe fundraisers to pay for basic living expenses surged in 2025
Financial contributions made through GoFundMe are a reflection of the growing concerns across the United States regarding the rising cost of living, as noted in the crowdfunding platform’s annual analysis of its users’ fundraising endeavors.
According to GoFundMe, keywords such as “work,” “home,” “food,” “bill,” and “care” were among the top terms used in fundraising campaigns this year. The platform also highlighted that requests for assistance with “monthly bills” experienced significant growth, second only to appeals for support for nonprofit organizations.
The public’s attention towards affordability has intensified, with a recent CBS News poll indicating that inflation and the state of the economy are top concerns for Americans nationwide.
In 2025, the United States witnessed a 17% increase in fundraisers aimed at securing funds for essential needs such as rent, groceries, housing, and fuel, according to data from GoFundMe. Tim Cadogan, the CEO of the company, acknowledged a consistent rise in such campaigns over the past few years.
Cadogan stated, “For instance, individuals have expressed struggles with paying their rent for the month and have turned to friends and family for assistance to tide them over for the next month or two. This trend highlights the increasing cost of living and the challenges individuals are facing, prompting them to seek support from their social circle.”
During the 43-day U.S. government shutdown, GoFundMe users utilized the platform as federal agencies’ closure disrupted the distribution of food stamp aid, resulting in a sixfold increase in related fundraising efforts.
An example of this is Iesha Shepard, a 34-year-old single mother of two from New Orleans, who resorted to GoFundMe after falling behind on rent due to health issues preventing her from working at her part-time job in a hotel. Shepard, who has battled chronic heart failure since surviving a multiple gunshot incident four years ago, faced eviction and launched a fundraising campaign to avoid homelessness during the holiday season.
