YouCaring: A Crowdfunding Platform for All Causes

YouCaring is a crowdfunding platform that's all about helping people in need. It's free to use, with no fees for the fundraiser or the person creating the campaign.

You can create a campaign for any type of cause, whether it's medical expenses, education, or even a community project. The platform is open to anyone, regardless of location or background.

YouCaring is designed to be user-friendly, with a simple and intuitive interface that makes it easy to create and share a campaign.

YouCaring was founded in 2011 by Brock Ketcher, Naomi Ketcher, and Luke Miner, who were inspired to give back after returning from two years of international mission trips.

Their mission was to create a free crowdfunding website that would allow people to raise money to overcome hardship. It's amazing to think about how far they've come since then.

To date, YouCaring has raised over $800 million from more than 8 million donors, a testament to the power of kindness and generosity.

In 2017, YouCaring acquired GiveForward, expanding its reach and impact even further.

YouCaring became a Certified B Corporation in May 2016, a designation that recognizes its commitment to social and environmental responsibility.

Each year, YouCaring releases internal fundraising data to show which cities in America are the most compassionate, based on their own estimates.

YouCaring has a clear stance on what types of campaigns it supports, specifically avoiding those related to legal costs in criminal proceedings.

The platform makes it easy for organizers to set up crowdfunding campaigns and post updates, with funds available quickly to those in need.

Occasionally, someone tries to take advantage of others' generosity by setting up a campaign and siphoning off money for themselves, but this occurs very rarely - a fraction of a percent of fundraising dollars.

YouCaring uses its own fraud-analysis software, as well as Facebook's security tools and its payment processor WePay, to track and stop fraudulent campaigns.

YouCaring's business model is centered around crowdfunding for personal, medical, and charitable causes. Nearly 50% of the money raised on YouCaring is for medical expenses.

Users create campaigns to raise money by writing an explanation of their needs, setting a fundraising goal, and uploading supporting photos and videos. They then share their fundraisers through social channels and email.

Donations can be made using credit card processors like PayPal, WePay, or Stripe. YouCaring doesn't charge a fee to those raising funds, but a third-party credit card processing fee exists.

YouCaring trademarked the name Compassionate Crowdfunding to describe its service.

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YouCaring has made it easy for people to set up crowdfunding campaigns to help cover medical expenses. This is because annual out-of-pocket medical expenses in the United States now average more than $1,200 per person.

The platform has a process in place to ensure that contributed money is available quickly to those in need, with funds held in escrow for two to five days while a security check is done to ensure the campaign is legitimate.

Occasionally, someone will try to take advantage of others' generosity by setting up a campaign and siphoning off money for themselves, but this occurs very rarely - "a fraction of a percent of fundraising dollars".

YouCaring benefits from Facebook's security tools, as many campaigns are promoted on the social media platform, and its payment processor, WePay, can stop campaigns from groups or people who have raised red flags elsewhere on the web.

Over the past five years, more than $400 million has been raised on YouCaring's website, with a lot of that money going toward covering health care costs.

Telling a compelling story is crucial to a successful fundraising campaign on YouCaring. Explain your situation honestly and clearly communicate what the funds will enable you to do or provide.

Highlight your fundraising goal and any specific details that help paint a personal and compelling picture about your cause. This could include a deadline if you have one.

Answer questions such as who the fundraiser is for, what happened, and why it's important to you. This will help your supporters understand and connect with your story.

Finding similar YouCaring fundraisers that have successfully reached their goals can be a great way to get inspiration and ideas for your own campaign. Use them as a template and adapt them to fit your own needs.

Uploading quality images to your YouCaring campaign is crucial for its success. High-quality images have a powerful effect on potential supporters' ability to develop empathy toward your cause.

Data shows that fundraisers with at least five photos raise more than twice as much as those with just one photo. This is a significant advantage to consider when planning your campaign.

As your campaign progresses, it's essential to add new images to keep it updated and engaging. This will help maintain the interest of your supporters and encourage them to continue donating.

For more ideas about the ways photos can benefit your campaign, you can read our article on how images can lead to fundraising success.

YouCaring's crowdfunding process is designed to be user-friendly and accessible to all.

To get started, you'll need to create a free account on the platform.

The process begins with setting a fundraising goal, which can be any amount, and adding a compelling story to explain why you're raising funds.

You can also add photos and videos to make your campaign more engaging.

Once you've set up your campaign, you can share it with friends, family, and social networks to start spreading the word.

YouCaring charges no fees to create a campaign, but a small processing fee applies to donations.

This fee is typically around 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction.

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YouCaring doesn't charge a fee to the fundraiser, which is a relief for those looking to raise money without additional costs.

However, donors are asked to provide a "Tip" to YouCaring, which is a standard practice among crowdfunding platforms.

The credit card processing fee for each donation is 2.9% plus $0.30 per donation, a fee that's paid by the donor.

All crowdfunding platforms charge money, whether it's through a tipping fee structure like YouCaring's or a straight percentage that the fundraiser pays on the total amount raised.

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ACCO understands the need families often face to raise funds for themselves to help pay unexpected bills related to medical, travel, and other unforeseen circumstances.

ACCO has researched several platforms to ensure some basic requirements are met. They currently have a relationship with YouCaring.

YouCaring does not charge the family any fees (except credit card processing fees) for using their platform. This means families can keep more of the funds they raise.

YouCaring is mainly dedicated to medically related needs. This focus ensures that families can raise funds for specific medical expenses.

YouCaring does not put a time limit on your fund. This allows families to raise funds as needed, without worrying about a deadline.

YouCaring also does not make you wait to reach a certain amount or timeframe before you can draw on your funds. This gives families the flexibility to access their funds when they need them most.

YouCaring abides by all legal and accounting requirements. This ensures that families can trust the platform to handle their funds securely and efficiently.

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To start your campaign with a strong foundation, name your fundraiser clearly and concisely. Include the first and last name of the beneficiary in your title, as people often search for this online. This helps your campaign show up in search results on YouCaring and Google.

You can create a free YouCaring fundraiser today to start collecting donations for medical expenses, such as cancer treatments and other costs.

YouCaring, a certified B Corporation, has joined the Merchants Exchange Building and Event Center as a tenant. The company has helped its users raise more than $900 million in support of medical, personal, and charitable causes since its inception.

The Merchants Exchange Building has a long history of charitable and philanthropic activity, dating back to 1910 when it hosted a fundraising event that raised over $100,000,000 in inflation-adjusted dollars to fund the Panama Pacific Exposition.

YouCaring is a hot fundraising platform that has skyrocketed in popularity, especially after J.J. Watt's hurricane Harvey relief efforts. It has made a point of making it easy for campaign organizers to set up crowdfunding campaigns and then post updates.

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The company's payment processor, WePay, is able to stop campaigns from groups or people who have raised red flags elsewhere on the web. This helps prevent fraudulent campaigns and ensures that contributed money is available quickly to those in need.

YouCaring's office space is located on the 12th floor of the Merchants Exchange Building, which totals 6,600 square feet. The company is thrilled to be a part of the building's community and to be able to facilitate its good work.

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Childhood cancer is a harsh reality that affects many families worldwide. According to YouCaring, over 15,000 children and adolescents are diagnosed with cancer each year in the United States alone.

The impact of childhood cancer is far-reaching and devastating. The average age of a child diagnosed with cancer is just 6 years old.

Children with cancer often require long-term treatments that can leave them with physical and emotional scars. Radiation and chemotherapy can cause secondary cancers, infertility, and other complications.

The financial burden of childhood cancer is significant, with costs ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 per month for treatment. YouCaring's crowdfunding platform helps families cover these expenses, providing much-needed relief during a difficult time.

The emotional toll of childhood cancer is just as great as the physical one. Children with cancer often experience anxiety, depression, and social isolation due to their treatment and hospital stays.