Financial support campaigns on GoFundMe are increasingly reflecting Americans’ struggles with rising living costs, according to the crowdfunding platform’s latest annual review of user fundraisers.
Keywords such as “work,” “home,” “food,” “bill,” and “care” were among the most commonly used in campaigns this year, with “monthly bills” emerging as the second fastest-growing category, trailing only requests for donations to nonprofit organizations. The trend underscores a growing public focus on affordability, as a recent poll found inflation and the economy remain top national concerns.
In 2025, U.S.-based fundraisers aimed at covering essential expenses—including rent, groceries, housing, and fuel—rose 17% over the previous year. GoFundMe CEO Tim Cadogan noted that campaigns increasingly reflect everyday financial pressures. “People have been reaching out to friends and family when they’re behind on rent or struggling to pay bills,” he said. “This shows that life is getting more expensive, and folks are relying on community support to get through tough months.”
The platform also saw a surge in campaigns during the 43-day U.S. government shutdown, when the closure of federal agencies temporarily halted food stamp distributions, with related fundraisers increasing sixfold.
Among those affected, Iesha Shepard, 34, a single mother from New Orleans, turned to GoFundMe after falling behind on rent due to health-related work absences. Shepard, who suffers from chronic heart failure stemming from a shooting incident four years ago, said she launched her campaign after receiving an eviction notice. “I don’t want to be homeless with my children around the holiday time,” she explained.