Here are the main reasons people turned to GoFundMe this year
Donations on the crowdfunding platform this year reveal a range of urgent financial needs, GoFundMe data shows.
GoFundMe
For some with student loans, making payments means turning to GoFundMe
The number of people seeking help on the platform to pay student loans has exploded over the last year, the crowdfunding site says.
WWE Hall-of-Famer "Superstar" Billy Graham on life support
Doctors want to take the WWE Hall-of-Famer "Superstar" Billy Graham, who has been suffering medical issues for months, off life support, Graham's wife wrote on Facebook. She refused, calling him "a fighter."
GoFundMe blocked George Santos after alleged theft of money raised for dying service dog
The veteran who owned the dog says Santos pocketed $3,000 from a GoFundMe page that was set up to help pay for surgery.
Woman gets 3 years in bogus online fundraiser for homeless veteran
Prosecutors said the campaign at the time was the largest fraud perpetrated through the crowdfunding platform.
Damar Hamlin's fundraiser donations surge after cardiac arrest
Donations poured in within hours after Damar Hamlin suddenly suffered cardiac arrest after a tackle, with some donating thousands.
Funds raised for teen who must pay restitution for killing alleged rapist
A former math teacher of Pieper Lewis' at Des Moines Lincoln High School organized the fundraiser.
Man who conspired to launch viral GoFundMe scam sentenced to 27 months
The trio made up a story in late 2017 that sparked $400,000 in GoFundMe donations.
Mila Kunis vows to match $3M in donations for Ukrainian refugees
"I have never been more proud to be a Ukrainian," said Kunis, who immigrated to the U.S. from the country in 1991.
Instacart donates $50K to help pay for funeral of slain worker
CEO says grocery delivery service "heartbroken" by fatal shooting at Fred Meyer store in Richland, Washington.
GoFundMe investigated for blocking donations to truckers
Attorneys general in Texas, Florida, Missouri and West Virginia are probing the company for shutting down a fundraiser.
Thousands of COVID crowdfunds didn't make much
Thousands of people turned to crowdfunding during the pandemic, but research shows most did not raise much money. CBS Moneywatch Reporter Irina Ivanova joined CBSN's Tanya Rivero with more on this.
Thousands tried crowdfunding during pandemic. It flopped.
Most successful crowdfunding drives were in U.S. counties with higher income — not the ones with the most need.
Elderly Asian woman who fought off attack to donate big donations
Xiao Zhen Xie, 75, turned the tables on the man who attacked her. When the news went viral, donations poured in. Now, she's donating them -- more than $900,00, to fight anti-Asian racism.
GoFundMe page raises over $2 million for sons of Atlanta shooting victim
"Frankly, I have no time to grieve," wrote Randy Park, whose mother was killed this week. "I will need to figure out the living situation for my brother and I for the next few months, possibly year."
Black doctor dies of COVID-19 after complaining of racist treatment
"This is how Black people get killed," Dr. Susan Moore said in a Facebook video, weeks before she died of coronavirus.
Tyler Perry donates $100,000 to Breonna Taylor's boyfriend
A Louisville police officer wounded in the March 13 shooting in which Breonna Taylor was killed is suing Taylor's boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, for assault, battery and emotional distress. When Walker set up a GoFundMe page for his defense, entertainment giant Tyler Perry donated $100,000.
Taylor Swift donates $13,000 to two struggling mothers
With many Americans struggling to make ends meet during these unprecedented times, the star has sparked some joy in the lives of two mothers in need this holiday season.
$300,000 raised for salon owner accused of "setting up" Pelosi
Salon owner Erica Kious received support after saying she is thinking of relocating her business due to threats following the viral video.
Stars remember Broadway actor Nick Cordero: "What a light"
"I have honestly never known a kinder person. But Covid doesn't care about the purity of your soul, or the goodness in your heart," wrote actor Zach Braff.
GoFundMe for destroyed restaurant raises over $1 million
Jeff Pegues met a restaurant owner in Minneapolis who saw his life's work destroyed. But his story has taken an unbelievable turn thanks to the kindness of strangers.
Gollum actor will read all of "The Hobbit" in live online marathon
"While times are tough, I want to take you on one of the greatest fantasy adventures ever written, a 12 hour armchair marathon across Middle Earth," actor Andy Serkis wrote on his GoFundMe account.
1 in 3 new GoFundMe campaigns tied to coronavirus
"We have seen more activity than ever before," website's CEO Tim Cardogan said of coronavirus impact on fundraising.
Volunteer raises $30,000 to help Nashville recover after tornado
The storms had barely left the state when thousands began stepping forward to help.
Relying on crowdfunding for medical bills
Millions of Americans have crowdfunded their medical bills, with one in five Americans saying they’ve donated to a medical fundraiser online.
El Salvador's president says he won't return Kilmar Abrego Garcia to U.S.
El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele said "of course I'm not going to do it" about returning Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland man deported to an El Salvadoran prison.
Gayle King and Blue Origin crew return from space
"CBS Mornings" Gayle King and the rest of Blue Origin's historic all-women spaceflight crew blasted off on Monday.
5.2 -magnitude earthquake strikes near San Diego
A preliminary 5.2-magnitude earthquake struck near Julian according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
Mark Zuckerberg called to testify in Meta's antitrust trial
The case could determine whether Mark Zuckerberg's company might have to divest WhatsApp and Instagram.
Trump says no exceptions made in trade war, despite tech exemptions
President Trump denied there was a tariff exemption after some electronics were excluded from 145% levies on Chinese imports.
Gayle King describes space launch: "Can't even believe what I saw"
"CBS Mornings" co-host Gayle King describes the peace and perspective of her roughly 10-minute spaceflight with an all-female Blue Origin crew.
PA man admitted to starting fire at governor's residence, complaint says
Cody Balmer, 38, turned himself in at Pennsylvania State Police headquarters after intentionally starting a fire at the Governor's Residence, court documents say.
Judge weighs Tufts student's bid for release during challenge to detention
Rumeysa Ozturk, a 30-year-old doctoral student at Tufts University, was detained on March 25 after her visa was revoked.
Study projects how much cancer is caused by CT scans
A new study is projecting how radiation from computed tomography imaging, or CT scans, could lead to future cancers.
U.S.
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Kim Kardashian to testify in 2016 Paris jewelry theft trial, lawyer says
The trial stems from a jewelry heist in October 2016 during which Kim Kardashian was held at gunpoint in her luxury Paris apartment by masked men.
Mark Zuckerberg called to testify in Meta's antitrust trial
The case could determine whether Mark Zuckerberg's company might have to divest WhatsApp and Instagram.
Record tornado warnings strain aging U.S. radar system
When "minutes matter" in severe weather, faster forecasting technology is crucial for saving lives, says one NOAA meteorologist.
Gayle King describes space launch: "Can't even believe what I saw"
"CBS Mornings" co-host Gayle King describes the peace and perspective of her roughly 10-minute spaceflight with an all-female Blue Origin crew.
Official who oversaw shrinking of USAID departs State Department
Peter Marocco left his role as Director of the Office of Foreign Assistance, after overseeing cuts to USAID.
MoneyWatch
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Mark Zuckerberg called to testify in Meta's antitrust trial
The case could determine whether Mark Zuckerberg's company might have to divest WhatsApp and Instagram.
Stocks rally after tariff reprieve on tech companies including Apple
Shares rallied for a second consecutive trading day after some electronics received a reprieve in the growing trade war.
Trump says no exceptions made in trade war, despite tech exemptions
President Trump denied there was a tariff exemption after some electronics were excluded from 145% levies on Chinese imports.
Trump tariff plans bring wide concern about financial impact — CBS News poll
President Trump's approvals on economy and inflation dip, as Wall Street has one of its most volatile weeks in recent years.
Prize money at the Masters golf tournament goes up by $1 million
The winner of the Masters will receive $4.2 million and the signature green jacket.
Politics
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State Department wants staff to report alleged anti-Christian bias during Biden's term
President Trump's Secretary of State Marco Rubio is asking staff to report allegations of anti-Christian bias during the Biden era, including actions taken for opposition to vaccines or personal pronoun choice.
Official who oversaw shrinking of USAID departs State Department
Peter Marocco left his role as Director of the Office of Foreign Assistance, after overseeing cuts to USAID.
El Salvador's Bukele says he won't return Kilmar Abrego Garcia to U.S.
El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele said "of course I'm not going to do it" about returning Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland man deported to an El Salvadoran prison.
Judge weighs Tufts student's bid for release during challenge to detention
Rumeysa Ozturk, a 30-year-old doctoral student at Tufts University, was detained on March 25 after her visa was revoked.
Trump, Xi "don't have any plans" to speak, trade representative says
U.S. trade representative Jamieson Greer said President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping "don't have any plans" to speak amid an escalating trade war between the two countries.
HealthWatch
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Study projects how much cancer is caused by CT scans
A new study is projecting how radiation from computed tomography imaging, or CT scans, could lead to future cancers.
Ex-FDA official: RFK Jr.'s autism claims could give "people false hope"
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. claimed Friday that new research will find the cause of the "autism epidemic" by September. Dr. Peter Marks, the former top vaccines official at the Food and Drug Administration, warns on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" that "giving people false hope is something you should never do."
Former top health official criticizes RFK Jr. for downplaying measles deaths
Dr. Peter Marks said that the deaths of unvaccinated children is "just not acceptable."
How HHS cuts could affect physical, mental health
In his first network TV interview since becoming Health and Human Services Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. sat down with Dr. Jon LaPook. Kennedy said he was not familiar with cuts to programs that could have a devastating impact on infectious diseases and mental health.
After amputation, losing more of her leg was the only way to help her walk
Dr. Omri Ayalon helped Tracey White recover her ability to walk. Then he joined her for a milestone moment.
World
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Kim Kardashian to testify in 2016 Paris jewelry theft trial, lawyer says
The trial stems from a jewelry heist in October 2016 during which Kim Kardashian was held at gunpoint in her luxury Paris apartment by masked men.
Couple arrested for selling exotic cats including white tigers and puma
The couple is suspected of raising desert lynxes and servals, a wild cat native to Africa, as well as hybrid species created by crossing these breeds with domestic cats, police said.
Antoni Gaudi, designer of the Sagrada Familia, put on path to sainthood
Antoni Gaudi was a devout Catholic and believed the construction of Barcelona's Sagrada Familia basilica was his way to make amends with God for the sins of the modern world.
Witchcraft accusations putting hundred at risk of attacks, death
Belief in witchcraft remains common in many rural communities along the west African coast, including Ghana.
Ban on music glorifying cartels sparks violence, chaos at concert
Luis R. Conriquez and his band were forced to flee the stage after saying he had been banned by the government from singing "narcocorridos" music.
Entertainment
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Kim Kardashian to testify in 2016 Paris jewelry theft trial, lawyer says
The trial stems from a jewelry heist in October 2016 during which Kim Kardashian was held at gunpoint in her luxury Paris apartment by masked men.
David Oyelowo on "Government Cheese"
Award-winning actor David Oyelowo joins "CBS Mornings" to talk about his latest role in "Government Cheese," where he plays a formerly incarcerated man trying to rebuild his life and reconnect with his family. The show marks his first major comedy role.
Aaron Carter faced "tremendous pressure" as a child star, sister says
Angel Carter, the twin sister of the late Aaron Carter, opened up about her brother's struggles growing up as a child star in a new Paramount+ documentary.
Aaron Carter doc gives raw look into family's journey with addiction, loss
"The Carters: Hurts to Love You," directed by Soleil Moon Frye, is an intimate look at a family thrust into the spotlight.
Cheech and Chong: Older and wiser
The comedy duo Richard Anthony "Cheech" Marin and Thomas Chong made their names and fortunes playing laid-back potheads. Now 78 and 86, respectively, they're back on movie screens in "Cheech and Chong's Last Movie" (which may not be an accurate title). The best buds talked with correspondent Tracy Smith about their legacy.
Technology
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Mark Zuckerberg called to testify in Meta's antitrust trial
The case could determine whether Mark Zuckerberg's company might have to divest WhatsApp and Instagram.
Blue Origin crew talks historic spaceflight
Blue Origin's all-female crew includes "CBS Mornings" co-host Gayle King, pop star Katy Perry, NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen, film producer Kerianne Flynn and award-winning journalist Lauren Sanchez. Ahead of their launch, they spoke about their nerves, excitement and the historic spaceflight.
How AI powered robots are helping small farms
From labor shortages to environmental impacts, farmers are looking to AI to help revolutionize the agriculture industry. One California startup, Farm-ng, is tapping into the power of AI and robotics to perform a wide range of tasks, including seeding, weeding and harvesting.
Vanessa O'Brien reflects on historic journey
Explorer Vanessa O'Brien joins "CBS Mornings" to reflect on her record-breaking journey from Mount Everest to the bottom of the ocean to space aboard Blue Origin's sixth crewed mission, completing the "Explorers' Extreme Trifecta."
Expert describes weightlessness in space
"CBS Mornings" co-host Gayle King, along with five other women are launching to space. CBS News' Bill Harwood discusses the flight and describes what the crew will experience during the approximately 10 minutes in orbit.
Science
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Can climate change really create zombie fungi, like in "The Last of Us"?
As the HBO series "The Last of Us" returns, fans wonder: How much of the chilling storyline about a fungal zombie pandemic is rooted in reality?
NOAA could face 25% budget cut, slashing climate research, in draft proposal
An internal government document proposes significant changes for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, hitting its research functions hardest.
Ancient jawbone found in sea linked to mysterious human ancestors
Relatively little is known about Denisovans, an extinct group of human cousins that interacted with Neanderthals and Homo sapiens.
Scientists map part of a mouse's brain that's so complex it looks like a galaxy
Thanks to a mouse watching clips from "The Matrix," scientists have created the largest functional map of a brain to date.
Ancient altar found in jungle apparently used for child sacrifices
The discovery shows the cultural interaction between the Maya of Tikal and Teotihuacan's elite between 300 and 500 A.D., archaeologists said.
Crime
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Gravedigger arrested for reselling burial sites after removing corpses
Police also believe the ex-worker took valuables, such as gold jewelry, from the bodies of those to be buried.
Couple arrested for selling exotic cats including white tigers and puma
The couple is suspected of raising desert lynxes and servals, a wild cat native to Africa, as well as hybrid species created by crossing these breeds with domestic cats, police said.
Deacon killed in shooting at church Easter egg hunt in Mississippi
A deacon was shot and killed during an Easter egg hunt hosted by his church in Gulfport, Mississippi, on Saturday, according to the church and local news reports.
Suspect charged in fire at Shapiro residence
A Pennsylvania man has been arrested and charged with attempted murder, terrorism and other offenses in connection with a fire at Gov. Josh Shapiro's residence in Harrisburg, according to court documents. Police said it was arson. Shapiro and his family evacuated the home and were not harmed. CBS News' Shanelle Kaul has more.
Ban on music glorifying cartels sparks violence, chaos at concert
Luis R. Conriquez and his band were forced to flee the stage after saying he had been banned by the government from singing "narcocorridos" music.
Space
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Space
Highlights of Gayle King's Blue Origin flight
Watch highlights of "CBS Mornings" co-host Gayle King's historic Blue Origin spaceflight with an all-women crew, from the launch to when the capsule safely touched down in West Texas.
Katy Perry sings "What a Wonderful World" during historic spaceflight
Pop star Katy Perry, one of the six women aboard Blue Origin's spaceflight, explained why she chose not to sing one of her own songs during the historic journey.
Katy Perry reacts after Blue Origin flight
Pop star Katy Perry spoke about her experience on Blue Origin's rocket shortly after she, "CBS Mornings" co-host Gayle King, journalist and philanthropist Lauren Sánchez, former NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen and film producer Kerianne Flynn safely returned to Earth. She talked about bringing a daisy on the flight, singing Louis Armstrong's "What a Wonderful World" and the "collective energy" in the capsule.
Gayle King shares best part about space trip
After exiting the Blue Origin capsule, "CBS Mornings" co-host Gayle King spoke about what she experienced during her trip to space and revealed the song Katy Perry sang when they returned to their seats after experiencing weightlessness.
Recapping Gayle King's trip to space
"CBS Mornings" co-host Gayle King joined five other women on Blue Origin's launch to space Monday morning. "CBS Mornings" co-host Nate Burleson and featured host Vladimir Duthiers recap the historic flight and moment when King experienced weightlessness.
Latest Galleries
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"Hands Off!": Americans across country protest Trump, Musk
Hundreds of thousands took to the streets, in Washington, D.C. and other cities across the United States, in opposition to the policies of Donald Trump, in the largest protests since he returned to the presidency.
Notable Deaths in 2025
A look back at the esteemed personalities who've left us this year, who'd touched us with their innovation, creativity and humanity.
Husband pieces together wife's last movements to find out how she was killed
A look into a grieving husband Jan Cilliers' investigative work after his wife Christy Giles and her friend Hilda Marcela Cabrales died after a night out.
The Scott Peterson case: New evidence?
Peterson's death sentence for the murder of his pregnant wife Laci has been overturned. Now his supporters are pushing for a complete retrial.
The troubled marriage of Ashley and Doug Benefield
The seesaw marriage between the former ballerina and her much older husband only lasted four years, until she shot him on Sept. 27, 2020.
Latest CBS News Videos
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Latest CBS News Videos
Protests at Tennessee state capitol
Hundreds of protesters have descended upon the Tennessee state capitol over a proposed bill that would allow school districts to refuse enrollment of undocumented students and charge immigrant families for public school educations. CBS News correspondent Nicole Valdes has more.
Large earthquake strikes near San Diego
An earthquake preliminarily rated at least 5.1 magnitude has struck near San Diego. CBS News Los Angeles reports.
Gayle King describes Blue Origin flight
"CBS Mornings" co-host Gayle King spoke about conquering her fear of flying with an all-women crew on the Blue Origin rocket. "I walked out of there thinking, 'Gosh, I can do anything!'" King said during a news conference after the launch.
Trump meets with El Salvador's president
President Trump met with Nayib Bukele, president of El Salvador, in the Oval Office Monday amid Mr. Trump's ongoing immigration crackdown. During the meeting, Bukele said he would not return Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland man who was mistakenly deported to El Salvador. CBS News' Nancy Cordes and Katrina Kaufman have the latest.
Video shows all-women crew inside capsule
Blue Origin shared a video showing the all-women crew inside the capsule while they experienced weightlessness in space. The crew, which included "CBS Mornings" co-host Gayle King, blasted off aboard the Blue Origin rocket on Monday around 9:30 a.m. ET. They spoke about their experience during a news conference after the launch.