In this episode of The Charity Charge Show, Stephen Garten and co-host Grayson Harris talk with Krista Lamp, Senior Director of Nonprofit Communications at GoFundMe, about how technology, storytelling, and strategic engagement can help nonprofits raise more funds and connect with supporters.
The conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at the evolution of Classy into GoFundMe Pro—a move that merges Classy’s proven suite of nonprofit fundraising solutions with the expansive reach of GoFundMe’s global network of donors.
This integration provides nonprofits with the best of both worlds: sophisticated, customizable fundraising tools paired with unparalleled access to potential new supporters.
From Classy to GoFundMe Pro: A Stronger Platform for Nonprofits
Krista explained that the transition to GoFundMe Pro wasn’t simply a rebrand—it was a strategic move to unify technology and scale. Nonprofits now have access to a broader set of tools designed for every stage of the fundraising journey, from campaign creation to ongoing supporter communication.
The discussion covered several core benefits, including:
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Recurring giving to sustain long-term revenue.
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Community engagement features that help organizations build lasting relationships.
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The ability for nonprofits to claim a free GoFundMe page, giving them a branded home on one of the most recognized fundraising platforms in the world.
By merging Classy’s deep nonprofit expertise with GoFundMe’s visibility, the platform has positioned itself as a leader in the online fundraising space.
What is GoFundMe Pro?
GoFundMe Pro is more than a donation form—it’s a comprehensive fundraising solution that helps nonprofits grow their support base, manage campaigns, and track performance all in one place.
Key Platform Features:
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Recurring Giving: Build predictable revenue by encouraging supporters to give monthly.
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Branded Donation Forms: Maintain consistent branding and create mobile-friendly donation experiences.
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Peer-to-Peer Fundraising: Allow supporters to run their own campaigns on your behalf, expanding your reach.
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Comprehensive Dashboard: Track giving history, measure campaign progress, and gain insights from supporter behavior.
One of the most compelling examples that Krista shared was the Baby2Bay campaign where 92% of contributions on GoFundMe come from first-time supporters. For nonprofits seeking to expand their audience, this presents a significant opportunity to convert new donors into long-term champions for their cause.
Reaching and Engaging New Supporters
With its massive user base and high visibility, GoFundMe Pro gives nonprofits access to the largest online giving community in the world. Claiming a free nonprofit page allows organizations to:
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Centralize all fundraising campaigns in one branded location.
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Share their mission in a compelling way with potential donors.
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Benefit from GoFundMe’s built-in search and discovery features.
Krista emphasized that technology alone isn’t enough—it must be paired with meaningful communication. She encouraged nonprofits to promptly thank supporters, clearly show the impact of their contributions, and create opportunities for ongoing involvement.
Data-Driven Fundraising
GoFundMe Pro is equipped with GoFundMe Intelligence, an analytics engine that provides nonprofits with actionable insights into supporter behavior and campaign performance. This data helps organizations:
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Refine messaging for different audiences.
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Set realistic, achievable fundraising goals.
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Identify the most effective campaign strategies.
Krista also discussed the growing role of donor-advised funds (DAFs) in charitable giving and how GoFundMe is exploring integrations to help nonprofits access this funding stream more easily.
“When nonprofits combine actionable insights with authentic storytelling, they have a far greater impact,” Krista noted.
Why Giving Funds are Critical
Donor-advised funds (DAF) represent one of the most transformative tools in modern philanthropy, holding over $250 billion designated for charitable purposes. Yet each year, the vast majority of those funds go undistributed.
It doesn’t have to be this way.
Through the newly rolled out Giving Funds, GoFundMe is reimagining DAFs by providing an organized place to discover charitable causes, manage donations, and support nonprofits while receiving tax benefits. Giving Funds offers an easy-to-use interface on the GoFundMe platform that 200M users already know and trust, opening up the grossly underused DAF-style of giving to a new generation of first-time, younger, cause-driven donors who want flexibility and tangible impact all within one product.
Giving Funds’ interest-building model makes it easier for individuals to respond in times of need by guiding donors to give strategically, and helping nonprofits benefit from the influx of dollars without traditional delays or fees. One way this is done is through GoFundMe’s unique AI discovery process, allowing donors to explore more nonprofits focused on the causes close to their hearts, eliminating the idea of contributing to DAFs before choosing a cause simply for the tax benefits, leading to stagnant funds.
Getting Started with Giving Funds
Setting up a Giving Fund can be done in minutes, unlocking access to 1.4 million nonprofits in need:
- Giving Funds are completely free to create, offering the lowest barrier to entry on the market.
- At launch, you can contribute funds using a credit card or a secure bank connection (ACH).
- Giving Funds build interest and can accrue in your wallet over time – you are in charge of your funds and can send any amount to any charity at any time.
- NPOs receive unlimited access to all donation details on their verified GoFundMe Nonprofit Page, available via a downloadable file.
🔗 Learn more about GoFundMe Pro and claim your page
Final Takeaway
This episode highlights how GoFundMe Pro is not just a fundraising tool, but a platform that helps nonprofits connect with more people, tell their story more effectively, and create sustainable streams of support.
For organizations ready to elevate their online fundraising, GoFundMe Pro offers the technology, reach, and insights to make it happen.
