October 2025
GoFundMe’s Nonprofit Pages Debacle
Last week it was reported that GoFundMe, a for-profit crowdfunding platform, created "nonprofit pages" for 1.4 million 501C-3 organizations using public IRS data along with information from partners like the PayPal Giving Fund. These pages were created without the knowledge or consent of the nonprofit organizations, raising concerns that this could mislead donors, create branding and transparency issues, and result in lost control over messaging or donor data. The platform’s optional tip and fee structure also raises concerns about donor confusion and how much of each gift actually reaches the nonprofit.
On October 21, the firm announced it will remove logos from unclaimed pages. Nonprofits will have the ability to manage their own branding and assets after completing the process to claim the page.
On October 24, GoFundMe released a statement noting the Nonprofit Pages are now opt-in only and unclaimed pages will be de-indexed.
Articles and News
Time for Nonprofits to Generate Their Own Revenue for Political Power
Now here is an idea: “If nonprofits wish to see their programs and priority solutions enacted and funded, it might be time to borrow a page from the Big Business playbook. One valuable strategy would be to create a new add-on fee for the services organizations render and use that revenue to build political power.” (Nonprofit Quarterly)
How often do foundations accept unsolicited requests for funds?
Spoiler alert: IRS data suggests only 29% of private foundations accept unsolicited requests for funds. (Candid)
Peter Thiel and Philanthropy in the End of Days
Rhodri Davies dives into Thiel’s history with philanthropy, and his recent remarks urging fellow billionaire Elon Musk not to give to charity and to withdraw himself from the Giving Pledge. (Why Philanthropy Matters)
Studies and Resources
2025 Bank of America Study of Philanthropy: Charitable Giving by Affluent Households
The tenth study by Bank of America and the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy’s biennial series examining the philanthropic behaviors of affluent households in the United States finds that “The vast majority of affluent Americans continue to give generously. In 2024, 81% of affluent households made charitable contributions, with donors giving an average of $33,219 to charity — more than 10 times the giving level of the general population.” (Bank of America)
However, reading more deeply and as highlighted by The Chronicle of Philanthropy, giving remains on a downward trajectory, even among the very affluent, but volunteering is up.
Solidarity Philanthropy: Redefining Philanthropy’s Relationship to Social Movements
A report and call to action from Grassroots International that outlines a framework for Solidarity Philanthropy based on seven intertwined components. (Grassroots International)
Band nerd or jock: Who’s more likely to help in a crisis?
Published in Sage Journals, the study looked at the relationship between high school extracurricular activities and altruistic behaviors during crises. The study tracked 2,710 people from birth to adulthood, with findings showing that participation and level of extracurricular activities increased the likelihood of altruistic actions.
For Funders
A Foundation Pilot Program Simplifies Grant Reporting With AI
The Houston Endowment has shifted from requiring written reports, which can often take nonprofit staff several hours to complete, to conducting 45 to 90 minute Zoom conversations which are recorded and summarized using AI to capture impact and success metrics. (Chronicle of Philanthropy)
