A coalition of 24 state attorneys general is pressing GoFundMe for answers after discovering the crowdfunding platform created donation pages for over 1.4 million charities without their consent. The pages, which appeared online in October 2025, potentially misled donors and raised concerns about the proper allocation of funds, according to a letter sent this week by the attorneys general.
The investigation centers on whether GoFundMe violated state charitable solicitation and consumer protection laws by using the names, logos, and information of charities without permission. The attorneys general are demanding proof that all unauthorized pages have been removed within 14 days, and seeking clarity on how the platform intends to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future. This situation highlights the growing scrutiny of online fundraising platforms and the necessitate for transparency in charitable giving.
Pennsylvania Attorney General David Sunday emphasized the potential harm caused by these unauthorized pages. “GoFundMe provides families and communities with the ability to raise money in times of need, but these many unauthorized postings with solicitations confuse donors, although also harming the charities who did not give consent,” Sunday said. “These unauthorized pages can result in donations not reaching the donors’ intended recipients. Full transparency is absolutely necessary on online platforms soliciting and advertising donations.”
Concerns Over Donation Routing and Search Results
Beyond the unauthorized use of charity information, the attorneys general also raised concerns about how GoFundMe presented these pages to donors. The coalition alleges that the platform’s search engine optimization (SEO) practices may have caused the unauthorized pages to appear *above* official charity websites in online search results, potentially diverting donations away from legitimate fundraising efforts. This could lead donors to believe they were contributing directly to the charity when, in fact, their funds might have been routed through a donor-advised fund or subject to additional fees.
The letter to GoFundMe specifically noted that some pages did not clearly disclose whether donations would go directly to the listed charity or through a donor-advised fund, a type of investment account that allows donors to develop charitable contributions, receive an immediate tax deduction, and then recommend grants to charities over time. This lack of transparency could mislead donors about the immediate impact of their contributions.
GoFundMe’s Response and New Policy
GoFundMe acknowledged the concerns in a LinkedIn post, stating the effort “caused confusion, concern, and distraction from the vital missions of the very nonprofits we aim to support.” The company has since announced a shift to an opt-in system for nonprofit pages. Under the new policy, charities must actively choose to participate and complete a verification process before a donation page is created on the platform.
This change represents a significant departure from the previous practice, where GoFundMe reportedly created pages for charities without their explicit consent. The company, a for-profit Delaware corporation headquartered in California and registered with the Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, is now requiring charities to verify their information to ensure accuracy and prevent unauthorized use of their branding.
What This Means for Donors and Charities
The situation underscores the importance of due diligence when donating to charities online. Donors should always verify the legitimacy of a fundraising page before contributing, and ensure that the funds will reach the intended recipient. State attorneys general are encouraging consumers who believe they may have been misled by a GoFundMe charitable donation to file complaints with their local office.
For charities, the incident serves as a reminder to actively monitor their online presence and ensure that any fundraising pages created on their behalf are authorized and accurate. Proactive monitoring can help prevent unauthorized use of their name and logo, and protect their reputation.
Looking Ahead
The 24 state attorneys general are awaiting a response from GoFundMe within 14 days, detailing the steps the company has taken to remove the unauthorized pages and prevent future occurrences. The coalition is also seeking information about GoFundMe’s policies regarding donor-advised funds and search engine optimization practices. The outcome of this investigation could have broader implications for the regulation of online fundraising platforms and the protection of charitable donations.
As this situation unfolds, it’s crucial for donors to remain vigilant and for charities to actively manage their online presence. The ongoing scrutiny of GoFundMe and similar platforms is likely to lead to increased transparency and accountability in the online fundraising landscape.
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