FinancialMediaGuide notes that the GoFundMe platform, known for raising funds for personal or charitable needs, has seen significant growth, especially in times of economic instability. In 2025, the number of campaigns aimed at helping with basic needs such as rent, utilities, and food increased by 20%. These figures highlight how economic and social crises are pushing people to seek alternative ways to address everyday financial problems when traditional government programs can’t meet all their needs.
At FinancialMediaGuide, we observe that the growth of such initiatives shows how crowdfunding has become an essential survival tool for millions of Americans. Economic challenges such as inflation, wage stagnation, and rising housing costs are increasingly driving people to seek financial support through platforms like GoFundMe. Initially designed for extraordinary situations, the platform has now become an integral part of everyday financial life.
This trend has been especially prominent in 2025, when the number of campaigns for rent, utilities, and food support rose by 20%. From time to time, during political or economic crises when the social assistance system can’t meet all the needs of citizens, platforms like GoFundMe become a primary source of help. We at FinancialMediaGuide believe this is just the beginning, and crowdfunding will continue to play an increasingly important role in ensuring social security in the future.
Furthermore, GoFundMe’s report highlights that, between October and November 2025, the number of campaigns aimed at raising funds for food needs increased nearly sixfold. This wave coincided with a suspension of payments under the SNAP program, which left tens of thousands of people without means of support. We see this as a serious indicator of growing problems with food accessibility and basic services for Americans, making crowdfunding a necessary tool for providing prompt assistance.
It is also worth noting that some of the most popular categories on GoFundMe are community-based initiatives. At FinancialMediaGuide, we see this as an increase in social responsibility, with citizens not only addressing their own problems but also supporting neighbors, less affluent groups, and social organizations. The rise in campaigns for food banks is an example of how communities are responding to the challenges faced by the most vulnerable.
However, it’s important to understand that the main driver of crowdfunding growth is economic instability, which continues to affect housing, healthcare, and access to basic goods. We predict that this phenomenon will only expand, especially considering current economic trends such as rising housing and utility costs, as well as increasing household debt.
One of the most notable events of 2025 occurred on January 10th, when, in the midst of wildfires in Los Angeles County, more than $265 million was raised to help those affected. This highlights the importance of crowdfunding as a vital tool for providing rapid assistance in emergencies when traditional methods of government aid prove insufficient. We at FinancialMediaGuide believe that in the future, such platforms will play an increasingly crucial role in delivering emergency relief during disasters and crises.
At the same time, it is important to note that according to GoFundMe, Ireland continues to top the list of the most generous countries on the platform, with the United States and the United Kingdom ranking second and third, respectively. This also underscores that crowdfunding is becoming significant not only in large economies but also in countries with more modest resources, where the culture of mutual aid and social responsibility plays a key role in solving problems.
We at FinancialMediaGuide predict that crowdfunding will continue to grow amid economic instability. As the number of crisis situations, such as natural disasters or economic crises, increases, the role of platforms like GoFundMe in social infrastructure will become even more critical. We anticipate that in the future, crowdfunding may not only serve as a tool for solving personal financial issues but also become an important part of social assistance and public support.
At Financial Media Guide, we see that, given current trends, crowdfunding is not just a temporary trend but a necessary part of the financial ecosystem that will evolve in response to changes in the economy and society. It is not only a response to crisis situations but also a significant factor in strengthening social bonds and the overall resilience of society.
