Thousands of people and families in Los Angeles County have lost their homes from wildfires, with nearly everyone in LA County knowing at least one person affected. While many charities and donation centers are overwhelmed with support, showcasing the compassion of many Angelenos, friends and family members of people who have lost their homes are using the power of crowdfunding to raise essential cash quickly for their affected loved ones.
How does crowdfunding help people displaced by the wildfires?
- Direct Financial Support
Wildfire victims can create fundraisers as a secure way for the people who want to directly help the people and families who have been displaced.
- Broader Community Support and Amplification
The beauty of crowdfunding is that family and friends can share the need with their broader networks. Each share helps to amplify a trusted way to help your friend or loved one, whereas cash and money transfers do not provide a way of explaining the need to extended circles. - Trust and Transparency
GoFundMe, the largest crowdfunding site, has a dedicated Trust & Safety Team ensures donations are secure, and verified fundraisers instill confidence in donors. Features like the GoFundMe Giving Guarantee protect donations, offering peace of mind to contributors. - Tools for Easy Communication
It can be exhausting and overwhelming for people affected by natural disasters to respond to everyone asking for updates on their safety and well-being. By using tools like “updates” while crowdfunding, you can help your loved avoid the mental toll of constant communicaton. LA Times has additional mental health resources for people affected by the fires.
- Using your time to manage the fundraiser multiply what you could donate alone
Donating money to someone after a disaster is a beautiful way to show someone you care. However, if you start a fundraiser for someone, you are opening up the opportunity for even more money to go to the family or people who needs it.
Here’s how to use crowdfunding to help someone you know affected by the wildfires in California:
- Ask their permission and assure that people want to help:
Hundreds of fundraisers on GoFundMe have been started for LA Wildfire Relief and are actively raising and delivering money to the people who need it. If you have permission from or you friend or loved one, assure them that they will only need to add securely add their bank information to receive the money raised.
2. Choose a crowdfunding site you trust: GoFundMe is trusted by millions of donors, with two donations made every second on average.
3. Add the name and a photo of the family: Many people also include photos of the aftermath or of their current experiences to help relay their experience, but those can be added as updates at a later date.
4. Set a starting goal that can be updated if needed: Estimate the costs for essentials, temporary housing, and rebuilding needs. Consider starting with half the total amount needed to help build momentum with donors. For example, you might set an initial goal between $1,000 and $15,000, knowing you can adjust it later.
5. Share the fundraiser with 2-3 close contacts before sharing broadly: Before introducing the fundraiser on social media, ask a couple of close friends or family members if they would consider making a donation to help kick it off. Early donations can build confidence in your fundraiser for future donors.
6. Make a plan to continue to share and post updates: You don’t have to do it alone! Ask supporters to share the fundraiser with their networks throughout the week to help maximize the amount of people, and therefore the amount of money raised for the affected family.
