Crowdfunding used to feel fresh. A fast way to help a neighbor, cover a surgery, or pitch in after a fire. Now it feels complicated. A new national poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research shows more Americans are side-eyeing crowdfunding campaigns, even as platforms like GoFundMe remain a major part of how people give.
The research poll shows that crowdfunding is common enough to matter, but not trusted enough to feel comfortable. People still give, but they pause. They question the fees. They wonder where the money goes. And many only open their wallets when they know the person asking.
Crowdfunding Is Popular, But Still a Small Slice of Giving
Freepik / About 21% of U.S. adults said they donated to a crowdfunding campaign in 2025. That is roughly 2 in 10 Americans.
It sounds big until you compare it to traditional giving. Around 70% of adults donated to a charity in the same year. Crowdfunding plays a role, but it has not replaced old-school donations.
The amounts are modest. Nearly 6 in 10 donors gave $50 or less the last time they donated. Another 3 in 10 gave between $51 and $100. That tells you how these campaigns survive. They do not rely on one big check. They depend on dozens, sometimes hundreds, of small gifts from friends, family, and loose connections.
The structure puts steady pressure on everyone involved. Campaigns need ongoing sharing and reminders to remain visible. It’s one reason people feel exhausted. When every scroll brings another request, donors start narrowing their attention. Many eventually tune out.
Medical Bills Drive Most Campaigns
Medical expenses are the leading driver of crowdfunding. Nearly four in ten donors say their last contribution supported healthcare costs. Surgeries, cancer treatment, recovery periods, and unexpected hospital visits dominate requests. Insurance often falls short. Deductibles grow. Lost income compounds the damage.
After medical needs, funerals and memorials are next, followed by groceries and everyday living expenses. Some donors also give to pet medical care or disaster relief. These aren’t indulgences. They’re emergency needs. Crowdfunding has become a way to patch holes left by insurance gaps, stagnant wages, and thin social safety nets.
Experts see this as a warning sign. Healthcare costs keep rising. Out-of-pocket bills catch families off guard. With enhanced health insurance tax credits expiring, more people may turn to crowdfunding just to stay afloat. That reality makes donors uneasy. Giving feels personal, but the problems feel structural.
Trust Is the Biggest Problem
SHK / Pexels / More than half of adults say they are “somewhat confident” that people who raise money truly need it. But only about 10% feel very or extremely confident.
The same pattern shows up when people are asked if funds are used responsibly. Mild trust is common. Strong trust is rare.
Platform fees add to the doubt. Only 44% of adults feel at least somewhat confident that crowdfunding sites charge reasonable fees. GoFundMe says it dropped its 5% platform fee in 2017 and now charges only payment processing fees of 2.9% plus $0.30 per U.S. donation. Still, many donors suspect money leaks along the way.
Trust in crowdfunding success is thin. Just 7% of adults say they feel highly confident that campaigns meet their fundraising goals. Nearly half admit they have little or no confidence at all. That doubt affects behavior. Many people only contribute when they know the person behind the campaign or can verify the situation themselves.
Who donates also follows certain patterns. College-educated adults are more likely to give than those without a degree. Political differences show up as well, with Democrats donating more often than Republicans. Income matters, too. People earning $100,000 or more are far more likely to donate than those making under $30,000 a year.