Many different clubs at Clarke Central High School have set up fundraisers on GoFundMe, an online fundraising site, including the CCHS mock trial team. The sudden uprising in popularity of GoFundMe has provided people with an easy and convenient way to raise money. “I would say the number one reason (GoFundMe is popular) is because it’s easy. They’ve made it very simple, the simplicity in it is first and foremost,” science department teacher and robotics team sponsor William Swain said.
By ZOE PETERSON – Staff Writer
GoFundMe.com, an online fundraising source, has recently become very popular with various clubs throughout Clarke Central High School.
Bake sales, car washes, raffles and auctions have slowly started to phase out from school fundraising routines while an online fundraising site, GoFundMe, has taken over and become an effective source for many clubs and teams at Clarke Central High School, as well as schools around the country.
The CCHS robotics team raised $3,835 for the Super-Regionals competition in San Antonio, the mock trial team raised $5,621 for a competition in San Francisco, the drama club raised $740 for The Georgia State Thespian Conference in Columbus, Ga. and the 2014 homecoming dance was also funded by donations through GoFundMe.
“(GoFundMe) allows people in the community who didn’t even know we existed or what we do to plug in and support something that they like,” science department teacher and robotics team sponsor William Swain said. “It allows them to be comfortable to give in a way that’s secure and also be able to support their passions for the next generation.”
The use of GoFundMe has also expanded the pool of possible contributors since it is very easy to access and donate.
Information collected by Saudia Royal. Infographic designed by Aneesa Conine-Nakano.
“I think in this day and age it’s very successful because it’s certainly very easy to do,” Clarke Central High School mock trial team coach Ken Mauldin said. “It’s there, it’s readily available and it’s easy for folks to be able to contact people and email to request contributions.”
GoFundMe is also useful because it allows anyone to donate if they have internet access, regardless of where they are in the world.
“Kids that have family members that are out-of-state, and even out of the country, could easily go to one place and give money and help donate,” Swain said.
Students also feel that GoFundMe is more effective than other fundraisers because it is always open to donations, making it more permanent.
“When you do a car wash or a bake sale, you only have those couple hours to get donations, while with GoFundMe you can accept donations 24/7 until you have reached your goal or decide to end the fundraiser,” senior and drama club member Ben Foutz said.
Swain also feels that GoFundMe provides donors with a sense of comfort because they are able to see pictures of what they are supporting, instead of blindly donating money.
“When people get online and see pictures and all that, it lets them know it’s the real deal and shows them what we’re doing and what we’re trying to achieve,” Swain said, “I really think it brings more security to the giver.”
Students who have used GoFundMe before also feel that it has proved to be a valuable fundraising source.
“(GoFundMe) has allowed us to connect with the public more. I think we’ve gotten more attention from the community since our name is attached to the GoFundMe,” Foutz said, “We were all pleased with the effectiveness of it.”
