On GoFundMe, You Decide Who Deserves to Live

Crowdfunding platforms are fueled by America’s broken safety net and our desire for control

Most people hate asking for money, even when it’s for a good cause. I spent several years writing about nonprofit fundraising — digging through research, case studies, and trends to advise people on how to solicit donations for causes ranging from cancer research to arts programs to hunger. Not only do nonprofit fundraisers have to fight against their own fear of begging or inconveniencing others, they must also overcome donors’ apathy and suspicions of inefficiency or fraud.

It’s daunting enough to ask for money for others. The discomfort runs even deeper when we ask for ourselves. We fear looking weak, irresponsible, and selfish. Yet more and more Americans are asking not just close loved ones but the world at large for financial support in the form of online crowdfunding campaigns. You see them popping up in your Facebook feed, your email inbox, and even in the news. And the most common reason for these appeals is an illness or medical emergency.