• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

Jeff Bezos wants the bottom half of earners to pay zero income tax—he says nurses making just $75K should save $12K a year

2

Despite a $500 million net worth, Shaq just finished his fourth degree. He warns graduates: 'Your character will take you further than your resume'

3

Bolt CEO says he let go of his entire HR team for creating problems that didn’t exist: ‘Those problems disappeared when I let them go’ 

1

Jeff Bezos wants the bottom half of earners to pay zero income tax—he says nurses making just $75K should save $12K a year

2

Despite a $500 million net worth, Shaq just finished his fourth degree. He warns graduates: 'Your character will take you further than your resume'

3

Bolt CEO says he let go of his entire HR team for creating problems that didn’t exist: ‘Those problems disappeared when I let them go’ 
Orlando

Wary of Donating on GoFundMe? What to Look for Before You Give Online

By
Jeremy Quittner
Jeremy Quittner
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Jeremy Quittner
Jeremy Quittner
Down Arrow Button Icon
June 13, 2016, 5:30 PM ET
APTOPIX Nightclub Shooting North Carolina Vigil
Ryan Gibson, left, embraces Tabor Winstead during a vigil for the victims of the Orlando shooting on Sunday, June 12, 2016 at the Legends Club on Hargett Street in downtown Raleigh, N.C. The event was held by the LGBT community in Raleigh, after 50 people were killed in an Orlando nightclub. (Robert Willett/The News & Observer via AP) MANDATORY CREDITRobert Willett — AP

In less than 24 hours, the advocacy group Equality Florida has raised more than $2 million for the victims of the Orlando shooting at a gay night club called Pulse that left 50 dead and more than 50 injured over the weekend.

Equality Florida, the largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights advocacy group in the state, accomplished this feat using the crowdfunding platform GoFundMe. More typically used to fund startups or help people pay for things like their college educations, the Equality Florida campaign has raised more money, more quickly than any other in GoFundMe’s history.

By mid-afternoon Monday, 50,000 donors from around the world had made pledges, for mostly less than $100.

 

And as the campaign racked up donations, some commenters raised a question common on crowdfunding sites these days: How do we know the campaign is legitimate? After all, the rules for giving have changed considerably since online portals have made such fundraising endeavors all the more simple. There are any number of ways for people to raise money — it’s no longer just a game for established organizations like the Red Cross or United Way. And with that comes the potential for fraud.

“So many things can look good online,” says Ray Madoff, director of the Forum on Philanthropy and Public Good at Boston College’s Law School. “There are plenty of people who take advantage of a disaster to line their own pockets.”

In Equality Florida’s case, it has gone to great lengths to be transparent, with plenty of information on its fundraising page. It has, for example, coordinated with various legal experts, as well as the National Center for Victims of Crime to deploy 100% of the funds it collects, Ida Eskamani, the group’s development officer who created the campaign, says.

“Seeing this incredible support is very humbling, and a reminder that it is love and compassion will that will move us forward,” Eskamani says.

A spokesman for GoFundMe, which has itself donated $100,000 to Equality Florida’s campaign, says the help button at the top of each campaign allows customers to contact each campaign organizer directly with any questions. It also uses technology to vet for fraudulent campaigns, the spokesman said.

Legitimate charities are all subject to oversight from the Internal Revenue Service, and from the various attorneys general in the states where funds are collected, Madoff adds. One way to check on a charity, or other nonprofit, is to look online at its Form 990, which it typically files with the IRS, but is generally public information and often accessible on sites like ProPublica and Guidestar. It will show you what percentage of the funds collected actually makes it to the cause the charity supports.

The Better Business Bureau has also put together a list of suggestions for all online giving. Among its recommendations: Vet any charity that you may give to, and find the one with the best track record for assistance for the cause you support. Equality Florida, is one of the largest state organizations for LGBT people, with 200,000 members. It is also working with the NCVC, which helped deploy funds to victims of the Aurora, Colo., movie theater shooting in 2012 and the Chattanooga, Tenn., military reserve shootings last year.

You should also look for the charity’s government registration with a state attorney general’s office, which is required in 40 of 50 states before a charity can accept any funds. If the charity isn’t registered, it’s a red flag, BBB says.

Be wary of fundraising campaigns that are vague, the BBB says. You want concrete information about how the money will be used. In Equality Florida’s case, the funds will be used to defray medical care expenses, funeral costs, and costs for counseling, Eskamani says.

Not all charities are 501(c) (3)s, which gives them tax-exempt status. Those that aren’t are likely to deduct from your contribution to pay for tax liabilities. Equality Florida, for example, says loud and clear on its fundraising page that it is, and refers potential funders to its official registration statement.

Related: Is This the Proposal That Could Save Crowdfunding?

Finally, more established charities have a track record, and are likely to be able to get funds more quickly to those in need than newer organizations are.

This vetting process, in addition the scope of the national tragedy, are reasons for GoFundMe’s own donations to the campaign for victims of the Orlando massacre.

“Started by Equality Florida, an LGBT advocacy organization, the campaign is the largest and fastest growing in GoFundMe’s history,” Dan Pfeiffer, GoFundMe’s vice president of communications, and a former communications director President Obama, said in emailed statement. “We’ve seen a tremendous response from tens of thousands of donors who have stepped up to support the victims during this difficult time. We encourage everyone to continue their support.”

About the Author
By Jeremy Quittner
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in

Kaged Whey Protein Isolate Review (2026): Our Honest Opinions
HealthDietary Supplements
Kaged Whey Protein Isolate Review (2026): Our Honest Opinions
By Emily PharesMay 22, 2026
4 minutes ago
f
PoliticsCongress
‘You kind of ruined it with your trans obsession’: House points fingers as Smithsonian Women’s museum funding fails
By Lisa Mascaro and The Associated PressMay 22, 2026
9 minutes ago
ta
EconomySocial Media
They created AI nudes that got millions of views online. Now they’re being charged with crimes
By Jake Offenhartz and The Associated PressMay 22, 2026
10 minutes ago
Steve Wozniak
SuccessCareers
Steve Wozniak says he didn’t cofound Apple to ‘make money’—he only did it because he was rejected by HP 5 times, and for years his pay was just $50
By Preston ForeMay 22, 2026
12 minutes ago
Best private student loans in May 2026
Personal FinanceLoans
Best private student loans in May 2026
By Joseph HostetlerMay 22, 2026
13 minutes ago
zuckerberg
CybersecuritySocial Media
A school district’s lawsuit against Meta for mental health costs was set for trial next month. Zuckerberg settled
By Barbara Ortutay and The Associated PressMay 22, 2026
14 minutes ago

Most Popular

Jeff Bezos wants the bottom half of earners to pay zero income tax—he says nurses making just $75K should save $12K a year
Success
Jeff Bezos wants the bottom half of earners to pay zero income tax—he says nurses making just $75K should save $12K a year
By Preston ForeMay 21, 2026
24 hours ago
Despite a $500 million net worth, Shaq just finished his fourth degree. He warns graduates: 'Your character will take you further than your resume'
Success
Despite a $500 million net worth, Shaq just finished his fourth degree. He warns graduates: 'Your character will take you further than your resume'
By Preston ForeMay 20, 2026
2 days ago
Bolt CEO says he let go of his entire HR team for creating problems that didn’t exist: ‘Those problems disappeared when I let them go’ 
Workplace Culture
Bolt CEO says he let go of his entire HR team for creating problems that didn’t exist: ‘Those problems disappeared when I let them go’ 
By Preston ForeMay 19, 2026
3 days ago
Pay transparency is exposing a bigger problem: Most companies can't explain why they pay what they pay
Workplace Culture
Pay transparency is exposing a bigger problem: Most companies can't explain why they pay what they pay
By Sydney LakeMay 20, 2026
2 days ago
Current price of oil as of May 21, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of oil as of May 21, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerMay 21, 2026
1 day ago
A 'proudly autistic' workplace expert says putting neurodivergent employees in a typical office is like dropping a polar bear in Austin, Texas
Conferences
A 'proudly autistic' workplace expert says putting neurodivergent employees in a typical office is like dropping a polar bear in Austin, Texas
By Tristan BoveMay 20, 2026
2 days ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.