GoFundMe’s annual analysis finds a notable rise in fundraisers aimed at covering everyday costs, reflecting growing U.S. worry about affordability. The platform reported that campaign text this year frequently included words such as “work,” “home,” “food,” “bill” and “care.” Requests explicitly for help with “monthly bills” were the site’s second fastest-growing category, trailing only fundraising for nonprofit organizations. The trend comes as inflation and the broader economy rank among Americans’ top concerns in recent polling.
In the United States, campaigns seeking assistance with necessities — rent, groceries, housing and fuel — increased 17% in 2025, according to GoFundMe. CEO Tim Cadogan said the site has seen a steady uptick in short-term appeals, with many people asking friends and family to help them bridge a month or two of expenses as higher costs strain household budgets.
The platform also recorded sharp spikes tied to the 43-day U.S. government shutdown, when federal agency closures interrupted SNAP food benefit distributions; related emergency campaigns rose roughly sixfold as people sought immediate support.
Personal stories underscore the pattern. Iesha Shepard, 34, a single mother from New Orleans with chronic heart failure after a 2019 shooting, launched a fundraiser after health problems forced her to stop working a part-time hotel job and she fell behind on rent. She started the campaign after receiving an eviction notice and said she was trying to avoid homelessness for her children during the holiday season.
GoFundMe’s findings suggest that beyond one-off crises, more Americans are turning to online fundraising to meet basic living expenses as cost pressures mount.