Another example of why I won’t contribute to Go Fund Me requests anymore

[Anonymous]

what’s the tax burden for the recipient? sounds like easy pickings but maybe the IRS is too busy rn surviving

[Anonymous]

I know a violent criminal whose family set up a GFM to repair damage caused by the SWAT team who broke in to arrest the person. It was cast in terms of mental health. Still…they left out why SWAT felt the need to break in!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know a violent criminal whose family set up a GFM to repair damage caused by the SWAT team who broke in to arrest the person. It was cast in terms of mental health. Still…they left out why SWAT felt the need to break in!

I’d rather help the poor family in that situation (to fix their house after dealing with a presumably adult child with MH issues) than a family exaggerating a medical issue and financial hardship who immediately fly to Disney.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not one but TWO families I know who circulated “urgent” Go Fund Me requests within the last year or so are both on major vacations for spring break (think: Disney, Caribbean, Europe, etc.). Both GFM campaigns had significant targets to cover pressing financial issues tied to a crisis (think: medical or housing crisis).

I will never fall for the sob stories again.

But where is your compassion? Where is your concern for humanity??

[Anonymous]

I am close with a family going through medical stuff. Another friend set up a GoFundMe for them and they were sort of taken aback because they really don't need the money. But what were they supposed to do, refund it all and disappoint the helpful friend?
The husband said "maybe I'll buy a better boat" and I don't know if he was kidding!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know a violent criminal whose family set up a GFM to repair damage caused by the SWAT team who broke in to arrest the person. It was cast in terms of mental health. Still…they left out why SWAT felt the need to break in!

I’d rather help the poor family in that situation (to fix their house after dealing with a presumably adult child with MH issues) than a family exaggerating a medical issue and financial hardship who immediately fly to Disney.

Agreed. Those relatives of that violent criminal probably suffered for years at his hands.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am close with a family going through medical stuff. Another friend set up a GoFundMe for them and they were sort of taken aback because they really don't need the money. But what were they supposed to do, refund it all and disappoint the helpful friend?
The husband said "maybe I'll buy a better boat" and I don't know if he was kidding!

If I caught wind that a friend had done that without my knowledge I would ask them to shut it down and I would absolutely refund the gifts and send a handwritten note thanking them and explaining that someone had set it up without our knowledge.

I seriously doubt anyone would set up a GFM without the recipient’s permission in that scenario.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know a violent criminal whose family set up a GFM to repair damage caused by the SWAT team who broke in to arrest the person. It was cast in terms of mental health. Still…they left out why SWAT felt the need to break in!

I’d rather help the poor family in that situation (to fix their house after dealing with a presumably adult child with MH issues) than a family exaggerating a medical issue and financial hardship who immediately fly to Disney.

Agreed. Those relatives of that violent criminal probably suffered for years at his hands.

…and they presumably used the money for the intended purpose of the GFM.

I just can’t understand how anyone lacks the self-awareness of launching a GFM for a medical/housing/financial crisis and shortly thereafter posts pictures of their lavish vacations. If you can afford to take a costly trip, then you can afford to handle your “financial crisis.”

[Anonymous]

I could see how even a wealthy person could benefit from a GFM — I mean, I wouldn’t expect someone to sell their home or other assets in the midst of a crisis, and maybe in that moment a GFM makes sense — but, then I can see how it could explode due to crowdsourcing: when one wealthy friend donates, another will one-up it.

[Anonymous]

Scientist here. I only give to nonprofits. Wish I didn’t have to say that but grateful for the tax exempt filter. Or I buy stuff (a casket, for a child, sadly), direct. Yes in that case family can divert funds I suppose. But I try my best to be a good person without enabling. This is what is working for me at the moment.

[Anonymous]

There's a mom of an autistic son in Kentlands who is notorious for doing this every year. She uses her son for monetization. People have no idea it's all going towards luxury items, and vacations for her and her GF, only. It's disgusting, I wish people would stop giving that narcissist any money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am close with a family going through medical stuff. Another friend set up a GoFundMe for them and they were sort of taken aback because they really don't need the money. But what were they supposed to do, refund it all and disappoint the helpful friend?
The husband said "maybe I'll buy a better boat" and I don't know if he was kidding!

Yes, actually that is exactly what they should do. "I know you meant well, thank you for thinking of us, but we don't need this and would feel terrible taking other people's hard-earned money"

[Anonymous]

I don't understand how someone can set up a GFM without the recipient's knowledge. That really shouldn't be allowed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It really is shocking how little shame people have. One blogger who comes from extreme wealth (know people who know her family) went through a tragic situation with a child. My heart went out to her and I even supported her little business.

Then she allowed a Gofundme to pay for medical expenses. this is someone who lives in a mansion, goes on multiple exotic vacations a year, owns a vacation home, buys crazy expensive clothes, and gets cosmetic procedures. Low and behold after the Gofundme closed, she got a boob job and was off on another vacation.

One of our kids has medical issues that required hospital stays, etc. We could afford to pay. We didn't go on vacations for years, we bargain shop and we live modestly. We don't expect friends and strangers to fund life's twists and turns for us.

Agree.

My niece got cancer and it was really sad. Then SIL sent out a gofundme site for her. I was appalled. My brother makes around 400k per year and her trust fund (yep generational wealth trust fund) yields about the same. Not a chance I'm donating to that. I make a fraction of what they do.

[Anonymous]

I saw one once for emergency veterinary expenses for a pet. GFM has gotten out of control.