This editorial represents the unanimous opinion of all 13 Outlook Editors.
Recently, more people are using crowdfunding websites–such as gofundme.com, indiegogo.com and kickstarter.com–to provide money for their charitable cause. For example, someone needs money for her heart surgery, or someone else lost their job and needs help to pay for groceries.
While at first generous donors may feel like they are making a difference, they actually are being too careless with their money. It’s commendable that they want to use money out of their own pockets to improve someone else’s life, but the method used is questionable.
Since the funds are transferred over the internet, people can’t be 100 percent sure where their money is actually going, as Lucy with cancer may just be a person trying to make some money on the internet. To avoid this money trap, people should instead give their money to a more established organization, such as the American Cancer Society. Therefore, the likelihood that their money can make a difference is much greater. with cancer from New York might be someone completely different just trying to make some extra cash.
However, some people choose to use crowdfunding sites to help support various startups and small businesses. These kinds of donations are acceptable. Nevertheless, people ought to exercise caution before donating to any crowdfunding campaign.
Theoretically, if people stop pouring their money into crowdfunding sites, people who are actually in need of assistance can turn to the resources meant to help them with their problem. Hopefully, charitable people will fund those currently underfunded resources, giving people a safe, helpful method of funding their needs.
