Discussion Topic |
|
This thread has been locked |
| Messages 1 - 6 of total 6 in this topic |
VA Tom
Sport climber
Culpeper, VA
|
|
|
Topic Author's Original Post - Jan 12, 2018 - 03:38am PT
|
Hi. We recently had a local guide injured in a fall. All around good guy and family man. He is ok and is going to recover but it's going to take time. Friends are considering a gofundme to help support he and his family as necessary during his recovery, or if he defers, to donate to the EMS professionals that assisted his stabilization and transport to medical care.
My question is does anyone have experience establishing a gofundme?
Could anyone share beta in this regard?
I've done a little research on tax implications and that looks to be a non-issue on the surface.
Thank You in advance for any assistance you can provide.
Tom
|
|
originalpmac
Mountain climber
Timbers of Fennario
|
|
|
Jan 12, 2018 - 11:27pm PT
|
I don't have anything to tell you about gofundme, but curious about what is being guided around Culpeper. I ask because I grew up in Rappahannock.
|
|
John M
climber
|
|
|
Jan 13, 2018 - 11:48am PT
|
Haven't run one. Do not know the tax implications. Have watched a few. My advice is get your ducks in a row before you start. If the person is not well known, then your window of appeal can be short.
Put the appeal on multiple climbing forums and if these people are involved in other forums or other sports, then use those too.
Be prepared to answer questions quickly and politely. There is a kind of wave of good feeling that you create when people have a chance to give, but that wave can be derailed by unanswered questions or by poorly answered ones. I suggest having multiple people follow the various forums and alert one or two people who can show up and provide answers. How one answers can either turn people off or get them to contribute more. Funny is good. Cutting remarks won't help. Even though its a fund raiser, you will still draw trolls on the forums. So be prepared.
Some people do not like putting their credit card info online and or do not like paying the fee that these sites charge, so have an address prepared for checks to be sent and who to make the check out to. And also have someone who will accept paypal.
Also, provide plenty of detail. I have seen people write very short blurbs when soliciting money and get very few responses except from those who actually know the person. If you want money from people who do not know this person, then you have to provide a life story. And some pics.
You are asking people to open up their wallets, so you had better be prepared to let people inside. People don't need every gruesome or intimate detail, but certainly something.
Finally, everything is different if the person is well known. They can break every rule and still get plenty of money. So don't follow their lead. You need people to be supportive and stay supportive, even if they can not give money.
I am Hoping the best for your friend.
|
|
Ken M
Mountain climber
Los Angeles, Ca
|
|
|
Jan 13, 2018 - 11:53am PT
|
I would just say that you first need to determine what the reason for the campaign actually is. Using his accident to "bait and switch" the funds to the SAR group could be very damaging to all involved.
Whatever you choose to do, it should be simple, easily understood, and the need for the fundraising clear. Based upon what you've written, that is not the case at this time.
|
|
John M
climber
|
|
|
Jan 13, 2018 - 11:57am PT
|
Good point Ken. I did not notice that about possibly donating the money to the SAR. That would have derailed it for me. I have my own SAR team to contribute to. Make it clear who the money is going to.
|
|
gruzzy
Social climber
socal
|
|
|
Jan 13, 2018 - 05:36pm PT
|
Unfortunately GoFundMe can be manipulated just like panhandling on the street. You think youre helping someone out and then find out they used the funds for something completely different
|
|
| Messages 1 - 6 of total 6 in this topic |
|
SuperTopo on the Web
|
Let us know!