Money
Places Online Where Complete Strangers Will Give You Money
How to Get Help from Complete Strangers on the Internet
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Unexpected money problems happen all the time these days, and we’ve all been in cases where a little extra help would have made a huge difference. Just imagine that you’re a hardworking person like everyone else, and all of a sudden, life throws you a surprise.
Whatever it is — an unexpected medical bill, urgent car repairs, or a dream you want to come true — we’ve all been there. As a result, these amazing platforms connect you with kind-hearted people who are ready to help you out when you need it the most.
We’ll look into the wonderful world of “Places Online Where Complete Strangers Will Give You Money” and show how they can be a source of comfort when you’re in trouble.
What motivates people to solicit financial support online?
Getting strangers to give you money may seem unusual, but it happens for various reasons. Some folks start new businesses from scratch and need a financial boost, while others seek help to cover medical bills for a loved one. Sharing a compelling reason for needing funds can inspire generosity from others.
People have a natural desire to connect with others and help those in need. Science even supports this idea. Research has shown that spending money on others can increase our own happiness.
In one survey, NPR questioned college students whether they would rather spend money on themselves or on others; those who chose the latter said they felt better about themselves. Intriguingly, it’s not the amount of money spent that matters, but rather the thought that goes into it.
Assume you want to open a small bakery but don’t have the money to buy the necessary equipment. You turn to these websites, sharing your ambition of giving tasty sweets to your neighborhood.
Kind strangers are moved by your story and want to join you on your trip because they know that it will make other people happy.
Making a change in someone’s life is more important than making money. (Do you agree? Hmmm..)
Before you ask for help or money, it’s good to know why people like to give
On a Reddit page called Random Acts of Pizza, folks ask for a pizza. If your ask sounds good, a pizza shows up at your door. This page started in 2010 to make people feel good about helping others, one pizza at a time. Money or charity asks aren’t allowed here.
What grabs attention? Stanford researchers found out people will send a pizza if you:
- Show a real need
- Promise to help someone else later
- Are active on Reddit (have many Reddit Karma points)
I once lost my wallet and couldn’t buy lunch. I posted on this Reddit page, telling my story and promising to help someone else when I could. To my surprise, a kind person sent me a pizza. This showed me that people do want to help, especially if you’re honest and plan to give back.
So, before asking for financial aid or help, think about why people give. A clear need, a promise to help others, and community involvement can go a long way.
Website Where to Ask for Money
Now that you know why people are generous, take a look at these websites where strangers are willing to help you out with cash.
GoFundMe
Looking for a platform to raise funds? GoFundMe could be your answer, especially if you are an individual seeking financial support. Here, you can raise money for almost any cause without worrying about meeting a specific goal or deadline.
Costs Involved:
- A processing fee of 2.9% and an additional 30 cents on every donation.
Funding Rules:
- Even partial funding is okay. You get to keep whatever amount you raise.
Unique Features:
- Known for aiding with medical and hospital bills, but open to other fundraising purposes.
- Easily share your campaign on social media and keep your supporters updated on your journey.
- You can withdraw the funds at any time that suits you.
Platform Experience:
- Mobile-friendly, making it easy to manage your campaign on-the-go.
- For a smoother ride, check out their FAQ page before getting started.
Remember, stating your case clearly and keeping your donors in the loop can go a long way in achieving your fundraising goals on GoFundMe.
Kickstarter
Kickstarter is the go-to for anyone with a business idea, product, or invention. Here are key points to know:
1. Funding Rules:
— All or nothing: no partial funding allowed.
— Your project needs a clear start to end timeline.
2. Cost:
— Kickstarter takes 5% of the total funds raised.
— Additionally, expect payment processing fees of 5% and 20 cents for each pledge.
3. Getting Started:
— Launched in 2009, Kickstarter is now a well-known platform for crowdfunding.
— It’s designed for showcasing created products.
— You can make your page unique with your own videos and information to highlight your idea.
4. Project Eligibility:
— Your project must meet Kickstarter’s outlined eligibility.
— Ensure you have all the details ready to meet project requirements.
5. Funding Goals:
— Remember, if your goal is $50,000 and only $45,000 is raised, you can’t access the funds.
— Projects can run between 30 to 60 days.
6. Restrictions:
— No charity-related projects.
— No equity or investment offerings allowed.
7. Payments:
— All payments are handled through Amazon.
Indiegogo
Ideal for: Individuals and nonprofit groups
Funding Feature: Keep whatever funds you raise, even if it’s not the full goal
Fee: 5% of the total funds raised
Indiegogo is a friendly place if you have a unique idea to share. It’s a well-liked platform for raising money, older and a bit different from Kickstarter in terms of project requirements.
Here, you can set up projects for a good cause as long as it’s lawful. You’ll find a marketplace bursting with fresh, clever ideas mainly focused on tech and design. The items showcased here might catch people’s eyes as they are not yet available on common markets.
A standout feature is if you don’t hit your funding goal, no worries. You get to keep the funds and even have an option to extend your campaign through a feature called InDemand, which doesn’t set any fundraising targets or deadlines.
Also, if there’s a delay with your product shipping schedule, Indiegogo ensures buyers get their money back, keeping things fair and square.
Fundly
Best for: Everyone
Funding Rules: Keep all funds, even if goal isn’t met
Cost: No upfront costs; 4.9% fee on donations and 3% card processing fee
Fundly is a friendly platform like Indiegogo, open to any type of campaign you wish to start. With over $330 million raised so far, it’s a free-to-start space with no strict rules on fundraising targets.
As soon as you visit their website, you choose if you’re fundraising as an individual or a nonprofit. Individuals can easily log in using a Facebook account.
You can explore and learn from other campaigns, filtering to see various categories from popular projects to memorials and trips.
Fundly encourages keeping your supporters in the loop by sending emails and sharing blog-like updates through their app, which is handy as 40% of users access it on mobile.
What sets Fundly apart is its emphasis on easy connections with donors. You’ll appreciate the partial funding feature, where you keep whatever funds are raised, and quick payment processing within 24–48 hours following a donation.
Begging Money
Begging Money is a place for people facing financial issues. Unlike Kickstarter or Indiegogo, Begging Money doesn’t take any cut from the donations you get.
Costs are just the regular PayPal fees for every transaction since the funds come through PayPal. To get started, you need to create a PayPal.me link, which helps keep you safe from scammers.
The sign-up process asks for a 400-word write-up explaining why you need the money, and you should choose a matching category for your request. It’s simple to sign up and they advise being honest about your situation.
If you wish for more people to see your request, you can pay to upgrade its visibility. Just remember, there’s no getting the upgrade fee back once paid.
FundMyTravel
FundMyTravel is a platform tailored for people needing money to explore the world. It’s an excellent choice for those wishing to raise funds for travel-focused efforts.
Key Details:
- Purpose: Ideal for individuals keen on traveling.
- Funding Rules: None.
- Cost: Creating and sharing your campaign is free. However, a 5% fee is taken from the donations you receive.
Established to assist travelers, FundMyTravel has a community that mostly supports campaigns related to altruistic endeavors in less affluent regions of Africa or furthering one’s education abroad with a vision to assist others post-graduation.
Here’s how it works:
1. Create your campaign detailing your cause.
2. Share your campaign via social media and email to gather support.
3. Receive funding from supporters.
FundMyTravel has a significant portion of fulfilled funds directed towards volunteering or educational pursuits abroad aimed at helping others. If your cause aligns with these themes, this platform could be a robust choice for your campaign. Remember, once donations come in, FundMyTravel takes a 5% cut, but initiating and sharing your campaign is entirely free.
CyberBeg for Financial Help
CyberBeg is a platform tailored for individuals facing financial hurdles. It stands out by charging no extra fees, only the standard PayPal charges per transaction apply.
Upon visiting the site, you might find its design quite outdated, which could initially come off as untrustworthy. However, it compensates for this by not deducting any additional fees from the donations you receive. The sole charges come from PayPal transactions.
One point to note from CyberBeg’s FAQ is that transactions via PayPal aren’t entirely anonymous. PayPal will display either your name or email address during the transaction. They provide guidance on how to adjust your PayPal settings to maintain privacy.
Differing from other platforms, CyberBeg extends beyond just a plea for financial assistance. It also provides avenues for individuals to earn a bit of extra money. The site offers resources such as credit repair, and opportunities for additional income through writing jobs, taking surveys, drawing, and engaging on Facebook.
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Nonetheless, a word of caution: clicking on links related to credit repair, writing, or surveys may lead you to some dubious-looking sites. It’s advisable to stay clear of these and focus on posting your request for financial help.
Your post requesting help can remain active on the site for a span of three months, allowing ample time for potential donors to find and support your cause.
WeFunder
Are you looking to fund your business? WeFunder could be helpful.
WeFunder is a platform where business-minded people meet investors. If you have a business, this place might be right for you. To start, your business needs to have a proper legal setup like a C corporation or LLC to join.
Cost: They take 7.5% of the money you raise.
WeFunder is all about investing in fresh, new ideas. It brings together people who want to fund creative and innovative small businesses.
First thing, have a solid, interesting business idea. Your fundraising journey starts with an idea that solves a real issue, stands out in some way, and has room to grow.
Go to the WeFunder website and sign up as a founder. Fill out your profile, share info about your business, your team, and how your finances look. Being open and honest helps build trust with people who might want to invest.
JustGiving
Best suited for: Individuals
Funding Guidelines: Donors not liable
Fee: Standard rate of 1.9%
JustGiving opens up the world of online fundraising. Established in 2000, its mission is to simplify receiving donations online from any corner of the globe, for charities and people alike.
A distinctive feature of JustGiving, compared to platforms like GoFundMe, is its standard fee deduction from each donation. On the other hand, GoFundMe gives a choice to cover processing charges.
Utilize JustGiving for a variety of causes. It’s a go-to platform whether you are an individual, family, or community in need. Rally funds for natural calamities, humanitarian help, charitable causes or celebrate a special occasion with a noble cause.
Final Thoughts
Using platforms where people help you reach your financial goals can be a unique way to bring your ideas to life. But keep in mind that the uncertainty of funding can make them risky to rely on too much. Finding your way around these sites takes a mix of being real and telling an interesting story that makes people want to help your cause.
