The original concept of crowdfunding was to get people to fund artistic ventures like movies, and not, as it has become, a way to get others to help with the expense of everyday choices like moving.
To my surprise, when I wrote about being appalled by this high-tech panhandling — getting others to fund things we choose to do — many people agreed. In fact, some readers went one step further and included Facebook’s fundraising platform as an example of this egregious exploitation, and I have to admit, those readers have a point. Like them, I don’t understand the reasoning behind setting up a fundraiser for one’s birthday (it sounds too much like asking for a gift), but considering the number of such fundraisers that end up in my FB feed, many people don’t find the practice objectionable.
What I didn’t realize was that one could use the FB fundraising platform to try to get money for anything. All you have to do is set it up in a few easy stages. Just what I need — more people asking for money I don’t have.
In a wonderful show of irony, Facebook flagged my article about crowdfunding with a note suggesting I ask my community for support with a fundraiser on FB, which shows that their bots pick up words in articles but not necessarily intent. Below is the screenshot of this note above my fundraising post:
Needless to say — or rather, “needful to say” since I’m saying it — I won’t be taking FB up on their kind offer.
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Pat Bertram is the author of Grief: The Inside Story – A Guide to Surviving the Loss of a Loved One. “Grief: The Inside Story is perfect and that is not hyperbole! It is exactly what folk who are grieving need to read.” –Leesa Healy, RN, GDAS GDAT, Emotional/Mental Health Therapist & Educator.
Bertram's Blog 
January 17, 2020 at 4:54 pm
I am amazed that people seem to feel entitled to someone else’s money.
January 18, 2020 at 2:08 am
It’s a bit annoying when I read all sorts of things about gofundme.
January 18, 2020 at 2:30 pm
I think Facebook is taking advantage of that “in lieu of gifts” things people sometimes do. Which I’m okay with. Despite some problems with how Facebook does the charity fundraising, it does do some good. One woman has raised over $34 million just for the wildfires in Australia (which I donated to). I say, if it helps, all the power to you Facebook.
January 19, 2020 at 7:42 am
It’s amazing what the world has come to. Health purposes I understand, but not the rest.