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**MEMORANDUM**
**To:** DPP Community Members & WIZE Services Consulting Clients**From:** Louis Diez, WIZE Team**Date:** October 21, 2025 (_updated October 23, 2025_)**Subject:** Navigating the GoFundMe Unauthorized Pages Crisis

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BREAKING NEWS: [GoFundMe has reversed course](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/gofundme-pro_at-gofundme-our-mission-has-always-been-activity-7387176830908407808-3AXY/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAFXB0YBQQemeETGjuwWWbu9AMDz0BhvorI) after listening to the nonprofit community. We're leaving this page up for reference and also as a demonstration of how easy it is to [create expert fundraising content and plan entire campaigns in WIZE, your AI fundraising assistant](https://app.wizenow.com/).

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You may have seen recent reports about GoFundMe creating over 1.4 million unauthorized donation pages for nonprofits across the U.S. This memo explains the situation, outlines the strategic risks to your organization, and provides a clear framework for how to respond.
This situation impacts nearly every nonprofit in the U.S. We encourage you to share this memo widely with your colleagues and peers across the sector—from universities and hospitals to community-based organizations—to help them navigate this challenge.
This is a strategic challenge that strikes at the core of donor relationships, brand integrity, and long-term fundraising health.

###  **Core Issues for Your Nonprofit**
The creation of these pages, which was done without consent using publicly available data, presents several immediate and long-term risks:
- **Erosion of Donor Relationships:** Our research consistently shows that the most significant donor value comes from relationships cultivated over years, which lead to major and planned gifts. These platforms promote low-engagement, transactional giving. Because GoFundMe does not provide timely access to donor data for unclaimed pages, it becomes impossible to thank, steward, or build a relationship with these "orphan donors," making their retention highly unlikely. Response time is a critical factor that predicts relationship strength. We also consistently find that the way a donor is acquired directly influences their long-term loyalty.
- **Brand and Reputational Damage:** These pages compete with your own website in search results, often using outdated information and unauthorized logos. This can confuse donors and dilute the brand you have worked hard to build.
- **Costly and Opaque Fees:** The platform's fee structure is significantly higher than nonprofit-specific platforms. It includes a standard transaction fee, a high-default "tip" to GoFundMe (a for-profit company), and an additional 5% surcharge on all recurring donations. This diverts funds from your mission to the platform's bottom line.
- **Potential Legal & Compliance Risks:** As reported by others, GoFundMe’s actions may constitute unauthorized charitable solicitation in numerous states. This could create compliance risks for your organization, as you are ultimately responsible for solicitations made in your name.

###  **A Framework for Action**
George Weiner, founder of Whole Whale, shares a solid decision framework (full article below). In our view, the "requesting removal" path seems like a strong option. We are not providing legal advice and you should consult with your organization's counsel before making a decision.
1. **Assess Your Situation:** First, determine if a page exists for your organization by searching your EIN or legal name on GoFundMe's portal: [gofundme.com/charity/claim/search](https://gofundme.com/charity/claim/search).
2. **Decide on a Path: Claim or Remove:**
    - **Claiming:** This is the fastest way to control the page content and disable the fundraising function. However, be aware that claiming the page requires agreeing to GoFundMe's Terms of Service, which includes a binding arbitration clause that may waive your right to future legal action.
    - **Requesting Removal:** If you do not want a presence on the platform, you can submit a formal takedown request. To do this, email [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) and [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]). We advise citing "unauthorized charitable solicitation" and "trademark infringement" in your request.
- **File a Complaint (If Necessary):** If your removal request is not addressed, consider filing a formal complaint with your state's Attorney General (Charities Division) and the Federal Trade Commission, documenting the unauthorized use of your brand for fundraising.

###  **Our Strategic Recommendation**
From our experience, the juice is seldom worth the squeeze with these platforms. The donor data is shared poorly and too late, and the transactional nature of the giving makes it difficult to build the lasting relationships that fuel sustainable revenue.
We advise organizations to focus on owning their fundraising channels. Prioritize driving donors to your own website/email list, where you control the brand experience, the fee structure, and, most importantly, have immediate access to the data needed for proper stewardship. This incident is a reminder to conduct regular audits of third-party platforms to ensure your brand is not being used without your consent.[WIZE](https://app.wizenow.com) users can easily research online sources and produce the necessary strategic content to address this problem without additional stress.

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**_Disclaimer:**_ _This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. We encourage you to share this with your counsel to determine the best course of action for your specific situation._

###  **Further Reading**
- [1.4 Million Donation Pages without Permission created by GoFundMe (Nonprofit News Feed)](https://nonprofitnewsfeed.com/news/1-4-million-donation-pages-without-permission-created-by-gofundme/)
- [Breaking: GoFundMe Reversing Course On Nonprofit Pages (The NonProfit Times)](https://thenonprofittimes.com/npt_articles/breaking-gofundme-reversing-course-on-nonprofit-pages/)
- [GoFundMe Faces Backlash After Creating Donation Pages Without Nonprofits' Consent (Dallas Express)](https://dallasexpress.com/business-markets/gofundme-faces-backlash-after-creating-donation-pages-without-nonprofits-consent/)

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**Contact Amanda Smith** ([[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])) to learn more about how the WIZE Services team supports fundraising teams through consulting and training.