The number of fundraisers on GoFundMe to cover essential expenses like rent, utilities, and groceries has increased by 20 percent this year.

The amount of requests for basic needs quadrupled in 2024. 

GoFundMe CEO Tim Cadogan noted that the rise in essential fundraisers is a reflection of people struggling to keep up with the rising cost of living. 

Food banks were the most common recipients of GoFundMe campaigns this year, with a nearly sixfold increase in food-related fundraisers during the government shutdown.

One researcher sees online crowdfunding as a barometer of desperation when traditional means fail, with GoFundMe often being the last resort for those in need.