Give to people and causes
Donation-based · Keep what you raise · 0% platform fee
For fundraisers, donors and organizers. Gifts, with nothing material in return.
How it works
Three ways to fund. Three different things.
Go Fund Yourself has three separate sections. Donate is for giving to people and causes, with nothing material back. Rewards is for backing creative projects in return for rewards and pre-orders, all-or-nothing. Invest is for buying a stake in an established business. Every page shows which section you’re in.
Back creative projects
Rewards-based · All-or-nothing · 5% platform fee
For creators and backers. Rewards and pre-orders, funded only if the goal is met.
Invest in growing businesses
Investment · A stake in the business · 7.5% fee on success
For companies, founders and investors. Securities, with real risk.
How to tell which section you’re in
- DonateYellow labels and a yellow strip at the top of every page. You’ll see words like fundraiser, donor, organizer and donation.
- RewardsMagenta buttons and labels, a magenta strip, and a Rewards tag next to our name. You’ll see words like project, creator, backer, pledge, reward and deadline.
- InvestGreen buttons and labels, a green strip, and an Invest tag next to our name. You’ll see words like raise, investor, company, target and terms.
Side by side
| Topic | Donate | Rewards | Invest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Model | Donation-based | Rewards-based (pre-orders and perks) | Investment (securities) |
| What it’s for | Personal needs, emergencies, memorials and community causes | Creative projects and new products: games, gadgets, films, music, books, food and more | Established businesses raising a funding round to grow |
| Who can raise | Anyone, for themselves, someone else or a charity. Live in minutes. | Creators with a project to make, after a quick review by our team | US companies that have operated for at least a year and have revenue, after our review and background checks |
| What supporters get | Nothing material, apart from thanks and updates | The reward they pledged for, like the product itself, an early-bird price, a signed copy or a credit | A security: a SAFE, shares, a convertible note or a revenue sharing note |
| Goal and deadline | Optional goal. No deadline: the fundraiser stays open until the organizer ends it. | Required: a goal and a deadline of 1 to 60 days | Required: a minimum target, a maximum and a deadline |
| If the goal isn’t met | Organizers keep what they raise | All-or-nothing: no backer is charged and the creator gets nothing | Every investor is refunded, including the fee |
| When the money moves | Right away. Organizers withdraw it as it comes in. | Pledges are collected when the deadline passes, only if the project reached its goal | Held in escrow until the round closes |
| Minimum | $5 | $1, or the price of the reward you choose | Set by each company, at least $100 |
| Changing your mind | Ask our team for a refund if something isn’t right | Change or cancel your pledge any time before the deadline (in the last 24 hours, not if it would drop a funded project below its goal) | Cancel for any reason until 48 hours before the deadline |
| Platform fee | 0%. Donors can add an optional tip to support us. | 5% of the money collected, only on funded projects | Companies pay 7.5% of the money raised, only if they succeed. Investors pay a 2% fee, up to $20. |
| Yearly limits | None | None | Under Reg CF, most people can invest $2,500 or 5 to 10% of their income or net worth a year |
| Risk | A donation is a gift, covered by our refund promise if a fundraiser isn’t genuine | Creators can be late or fail to deliver. We’re not a store: backing supports a project that’s still being made. | The company can fail, and the investment can end up worth nothing |
| Taxes | Donations to personal fundraisers usually aren’t tax-deductible | Pledges aren’t tax-deductible. Creators usually owe tax on what they collect. | Investments aren’t tax-deductible. Gains and losses can affect your taxes. |
| After the money | Organizers post updates and thank donors | Creators send a backer survey, post updates and ship rewards. Late pre-orders can stay open. | Companies post updates and annual reports, and pay investors under the terms |
Common questions
Should I start a fundraiser or a rewards project?
If you’re asking for help and won’t send anything back, start a donation fundraiser: there’s no deadline, no required goal and no platform fee. If you’re making something and want to offer it to supporters as a reward or pre-order, launch a rewards project. You’ll set a goal and deadline, and you only get the money if you reach the goal.
Why is Rewards all-or-nothing?
Creators usually need a minimum amount to make what they’ve promised. All-or-nothing protects backers: nobody is charged for a project that can’t afford to deliver. Donation fundraisers aren’t all-or-nothing because every gift helps, however much is raised.
Why do rewards projects pay a fee when fundraisers don’t?
Rewards projects pay 5% of what they collect, only if they’re funded. Donation fundraisers have a 0% platform fee and rely on optional tips from donors. Card processing is free in this demo.
Can I give money to a creator without a reward?
Yes. On any rewards project you can pledge without a reward. It still counts toward the goal, and you’re still only charged if the project is funded.
Can a business use a donation fundraiser?
Yes, if it’s asking for gifts and offering nothing in return, like a diner raising money to rebuild after a flood. To offer products or perks, launch a rewards project. To offer a stake, a share of revenue or repayment, raise through Invest.
Can I donate to a company in the Invest section?
No. Companies in Invest only accept investments, and every investor signs an agreement and gets a security. To give without expecting anything back, use a donation fundraiser.
Can a rewards project offer equity or a share of profits?
No. Rewards can be products, experiences or credits, but never equity, revenue shares, loans or financial returns. Those are securities, and they belong in Invest.
Why do I have to share my income to invest?
US law limits how much most people can invest in crowdfunding each year, based on income and net worth. We use your answers to work out your limit. Donations and pledges have no limit.
Is my money protected?
Donations are covered by our refund promise if a fundraiser isn’t what it claims to be. Rewards backers are only charged if a project is funded, and creators must post updates and deliver or explain. Investments carry real risk: read the investor education page before investing.
Demo site. Donations are simulated. Pledges are simulated: no cards are charged. Investments are simulated: Go Fund Yourself is not a registered funding portal or broker-dealer, and no securities are offered or sold.