Every year on June 19, World Sickle Cell Day helps raise awareness of sickle cell disease, also known as sickle cell disorder. It is an inherited blood condition that affects millions of people around the world. In Ireland, approximately 800 people are living with sickle cell disease, according to RTÉ reporting published for World Sickle Cell Day. Despite this, sickle cell disease has historically received less public attention and research funding than its impact warrants. Whether you’re learning about it for the first time or looking for ways to help, here’s what to know.

What is sickle cell disease?

Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood condition that affects red blood cells. Red blood cells are usually round and flexible, which helps them move through blood vessels and carry oxygen throughout the body. In people with sickle cell disease, some red blood cells become hard, sticky, and shaped like a crescent, or sickle.

These cells can get stuck in blood vessels, blocking blood flow and preventing oxygen from reaching organs and tissues. They also break down much earlier than healthy red blood cells, which can lead to anaemia, fatigue, pain, and other complications over time.

Sickle cell disease is genetic. A person is born with sickle cell disease when they inherit two sickle haemoglobin genes, one from each parent. It is not contagious.

What are the symptoms of sickle cell disease?

Sickle cell disease affects people differently. Common symptoms and complications can include:

• Chronic pain, caused by sickled cells blocking blood flow.
• Anaemia, which can cause fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath.
• Swelling of the hands and feet, often one of the first signs in infants.
• Frequent infections, which can happen when sickle cell disease damages the spleen.
• Delayed growth in children.
• Vision problems caused by blocked blood vessels in the eye.
• Stroke, which can happen when sickled cells block blood flow to the brain.

Many people with sickle cell disease experience painful episodes called sickle cell crises. These episodes can last for hours or days and may require hospital care. Triggers can include cold temperatures, dehydration, stress, or illness.

What causes sickle cell disease?

Sickle cell disease is caused by a change in the gene that helps the body make haemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. This gene change produces haemoglobin S, also called HbS. HbS can cause red blood cells to become hard, sticky, and sickle shaped. These cells break down much earlier than normal and can block blood flow, causing pain and organ damage.

To have sickle cell disease, a child must inherit the HbS gene from both parents. If a child inherits the gene from only one parent, they have what is called sickle cell trait. People with sickle cell trait usually do not have symptoms, but they can pass the gene to their children.

Sickle cell disease is more common in people with ancestry from:

• Sub-Saharan Africa
• South Asia
• The Middle East
• The Mediterranean

Sickle cell disease can affect people of any background. These regions have higher prevalence in part because the sickle cell trait offered some protection against severe malaria in affected areas.

In Ireland, the number of people living with sickle cell disease has grown over time. A Seanad debate on sickle cell disease noted that 20 children were undergoing treatment in Ireland in 2000, compared with 385 children attending the service at Children’s Health Ireland in 2021.

How is sickle cell disease treated?

Treatment for sickle cell disease has improved in recent years, but care can still be complex and costly. Treatment depends on a person’s age, symptoms, health history, and access to specialised care.

In Ireland, specialist paediatric care is provided at Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) at Crumlin, which treats and manages red cell and haemoglobin disorders and works with other specialist teams. Adult specialist care is provided at St James’s Hospital in Dublin, the only specialist adult service for sickle cell disease in Ireland, according to the Medical Independent. The HSE is currently developing a national model of care for people with haemoglobinopathies, including sickle cell disease.

Most care focuses on reducing pain, preventing infections and complications, treating anaemia, and helping people manage daily life with the condition. Treatment may include medication, pain management, blood transfusions, stem cell transplant, or gene therapy.

Medication for sickle cell disease

Hydroxycarbamide, also known as hydroxyurea, is one of the most widely used medications for sickle cell disease. It can help reduce painful crises, lower the need for blood transfusions, and reduce the risk of some complications. It works by helping the body produce more foetal haemoglobin, a type of haemoglobin that does not sickle in the same way.

Crizanlizumab is another medication used for some people with sickle cell disease. It helps reduce how often pain crises happen by making it harder for blood cells to stick to blood vessel walls. Availability and prescribing guidance can vary, so people should talk with their care team about whether it may be an option.

Voxelotor, sold under the brand name Oxbryta, was previously used to treat sickle cell disease. Pfizer voluntarily withdrew it from markets worldwide in September 2024 after determining that its benefits no longer outweighed its risks for the approved patient population.

Pain management is also an important part of care. During a sickle cell crisis, treatment may include pain relief medication, fluids, oxygen, or hospital care, depending on the person’s symptoms and medical needs.

Other treatments for sickle cell disease

Blood transfusions can help treat severe anaemia, reduce the risk of stroke, and manage serious complications. People with sickle cell disease often need specially matched blood for transfusions.

A stem cell transplant, also called a bone marrow transplant, is a potential cure for some people with sickle cell disease. It requires a well-matched donor and can carry serious risks, so it is only an option for some patients.

Gene therapy is also becoming part of sickle cell disease care for certain patients. Casgevy, also known as exagamglogene autotemcel or exa-cel, received conditional approval from the European Medicines Agency in 2024. In Ireland, access to new medicines is assessed by the HSE through its reimbursement process. People interested in whether Casgevy may be relevant to their care should speak with their specialist team.

These treatments are important advances, but they are not available or appropriate for everyone. They require specialised care and can involve significant medical risks and costs.

Medical information in this article is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Anyone living with sickle cell disease should speak with a qualified healthcare professional about their care options.

A note on blood donation in Ireland

People with sickle cell disease who need regular blood transfusions often benefit from specially matched blood. In Ireland, the Irish Blood Transfusion Service has called for more donors of African ancestry, noting that African heritage donors are 10 times more likely to have the Ro blood type urgently needed to treat people with sickle cell disease.

If you are of African or Caribbean heritage and in good health, donating blood through the Irish Blood Transfusion Service could make a meaningful difference for someone living with sickle cell disease in Ireland. You can register and find your nearest clinic at giveblood.ie.

Who does sickle cell disease affect?

Sickle cell disease is a global condition. It disproportionately affects people of African, South Asian, Middle Eastern, and Mediterranean ancestry, but it can affect people of any background. Nearly 8 million people are living with sickle cell disease around the world, according to the WHO.

In Ireland, sickle cell disease is classified as a rare disease under EU frameworks. That reflects the smaller patient population compared with larger European countries, not the seriousness or impact of the condition. Advocates, clinicians, and community organisations have called for a dedicated national model of care, improved access to specialist services, and greater awareness among healthcare workers, schools, and the general public.

Families have described encountering healthcare workers unfamiliar with the condition, and patients have reported feeling unheard within a system still catching up with the scale of need, according to RTÉ reporting from June 2025.

How you can help from Ireland

There may not always be active Ireland-based GoFundMe fundraisers for sickle cell disease. If you’re in Ireland and want to support people affected by sickle cell disease, there are still meaningful ways to help.

1. Support blood donation awareness

People with sickle cell disease who need regular transfusions often benefit from specially matched blood. In Ireland, the Irish Blood Transfusion Service works with community partners to encourage more donors from African and Caribbean communities, whose blood may be a closer match for people living with sickle cell disease.

You can help by learning more about blood donation, sharing trusted information, or registering to donate if you’re eligible.

2. Support local education and advocacy

Irish organisations and community groups are working to raise awareness of sickle cell disease, support families, and improve understanding among schools, healthcare workers, and the wider public.

Sharing reliable information, attending community events, or supporting awareness campaigns can help more people understand the condition and the care needs of people living with it.

Start a fundraiser for sickle cell support

If you’re part of a school, workplace, faith group, sports club, or local community, you can start a GoFundMe to raise money for sickle cell awareness, education, blood donation outreach, or support for families affected by the condition.

You could fundraise for a local organisation, support an awareness event, help cover practical needs for a family, or raise money for a trusted sickle cell charity. Before you start, make sure you’re clear about who the fundraiser will support, how donations will be used, and whether you need permission from the person or organisation you’re fundraising for.

Support international fundraisers through GoFundMe

Sickle cell disease is a global condition, and some fundraisers organised outside Ireland may support communities with high rates of the disease. Before donating, visit each fundraiser page directly for the latest details, current status, and organiser updates. 

Organisations supporting people with sickle cell disease in Ireland

• Sickle Cell Society Ireland (SCSI)
  Sickle Cell Society Ireland, also known as SCSI, is an umbrella organisation for sickle cell support groups in Ireland. It is a patient- and parent-led NGO working at local, regional, national, and European Union levels to support people and families affected by sickle cell disease.
  
  Its work includes parent support, advocacy, public awareness, educational workshops, and community outreach programmes. SCSI states it has visited more than 30 schools, libraries, faith-based groups, community organisations, and hospitals in Dublin, reaching about 2,500 people through awareness work. The organisation also works in partnership with groups including the Sickle Cell Society UK, the Irish Blood Transfusion Service, and Children’s Health Ireland at Crumlin.
• Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Ireland (SCTI)
  Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Ireland, also known as SCTI, is a patient- and family-led organisation raising awareness and support for people affected by sickle cell disease and thalassaemia across Ireland. Its work includes educational workshops, seminars, media outreach, printed information, genetic screening promotion, and public policy advocacy.
  
  SCTI also works on Red4SickleCell, a blood donation awareness initiative focused on the need for more donors of African heritage in Ireland. The initiative supports education about the need for more blood donors of African and Asian heritage living in the Republic of Ireland.
• Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) at Crumlin
  Children’s Health Ireland at Crumlin provides specialist paediatric haematology care, including diagnostic, treatment, and management services for red cell and haemoglobin disorders. Its haematology team works closely with other specialist teams at Crumlin and provides an advisory service for clinicians in Ireland.
  
  For children with sickle cell disease in Ireland, Children’s Health Ireland at Crumlin is an important specialist care provider. The hospital also treats children on chronic blood transfusion programmes, including children with sickle cell disease and thalassaemia.
• St James’s Hospital, Dublin
  St James’s Hospital in Dublin provides a dedicated sickle cell disease and thalassaemia service, also known as a haemoglobinopathy service. The service provides specialist support for adults living with sickle cell disease and thalassaemia.

St James’s has also been reported as Ireland’s only specialist service for adults with sickle cell disease. For adults living with the condition, it is a key service for haematology care, transfusion support, and ongoing management.

Final words

Sickle cell disease affects millions of people around the world, including a growing community here in Ireland. The people, families, and communities living with it deserve more awareness, more support, and more access to compassionate care.

World Sickle Cell Day on June 19 is one chance to help. You can share trusted information, support local organisations, register as a blood donor with the Irish Blood Transfusion Service, or take time to learn more.

Every act of support matters.

Sources and further reading

Medical information in this article is for educational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

The post What Is sickle cell disease? Everything you need to know (and how to help) appeared first on GoFundMe (IE).

What’s happening with Facebook fundraising?

Facebook fundraising is not available any more across their platforms for any charities in the European Economic Area. This encompasses countries in the EU but also Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway – so relevant to Ireland. 

What this means for fundraisers and their supporters

People are not able to fundraise on Facebook on behalf of a charity and donate to that charity via Facebook. To donate, you’ll have to go directly to the website of the charity and do it like that instead.  You can also donate to a plethora of charities directly on GoFundMe – there’s a range of charity pages already started by kindhearted fundraisers that you can browse and donate to.

How to donate to charity online without Facebook

There are still several easy, fast and safe ways to donate to charity online without Facebook, however. Donating to charities or fundraising via GoFundMe is a simple solution now that Facebook fundraising is going. It’s easy to set up a GoFundMe page for a charity if you’d like to fundraise yourself, or there are a range of pages set up for charities supporting everything from mountain rescue to rescue dogs that you can contribute to. Many fundraisers also share their GoFundMe pages to social media too, so keep an eye out. To donate directly to charities you can also do so by visiting their website. There’s a blog post on how you can donate to charities online to give you more inspiration on this, too. 

GoFundMe’s Meta integration

GoFundMe has an integration with Meta, Facebook and Instagram’s parent company, allowing for seamless social sharing. The new features are designed to make social sharing easier for fundraising organisers and donors to amplify their impact, and help improve donation experiences.

For charities to leverage the new enhancements, they will need the following

1. A Facebook business page
2. A professional Instagram account, linked to your FB page
3. To be enrolled in Facebook’s fundraising tools

For any questions about the enrollment process email iecharities@gofundme.com.

GoFundMe also has integrations with GivePanel and Social Sync which will allow charities to supercharge their charity challenge fundraising on our platform.

Fundraise for charity

If you want to fundraise for charity, it couldn’t be easier to set up a fund on GoFundMe to do this. If you set up a charity fundraiser on our platform, all the donations go directly to the charity so there isn’t any logistics involved in terms of it going to your own bank account. It’s a safe, fast and reliable way to raise money for that good cause. And you can share your GoFundMe on Facebook!

1. Choose the charity you want to raise money for

As mentioned before, setting up a charity fundraiser on GoFundMe is an easy process. When you’ve chosen the good cause you want to raise money for, simply start your charity fundraiser and select the charity you wish to support. Donations are sent to registered charities so there’s no need to set up withdrawals. If you’re looking for inspiration on which charity to choose, have a look at the best charities to fundraise for here.

2. Set up your fundraising page

Starting a fundraiser couldn’t be easier. Think about a concise but catchy title for your page, engaging pictures or video and then write your fundraiser story – letting people know why you’re fundraising for this good cause. Then hit go! And remember to thank your donors and post updates, which is easy to do from your GoFundMe account. 

Share your fundraising page

Now you’re ready to go and get fundraising – shout about what you’re doing! Sharing your page on social media helps to drum up awareness and support; remember to re-share each time there’s a significant update or you hit a milestone figure. Share with colleagues, friends, parents at your child’s school, classmates, anyone who might want to contribute and spread the word. You can even print out QR codes and put up posters in real life, too. All of the donations go directly to the charity on a GoFundMe charity fundraiser so that takes a task off your mind on how to get donations there.

Flexible ways to support charitable causes

Now you’re good to go – get fundraising! Even though Facebook is shutting their fundraising tools, you can still use GoFundMe as a fast and reliable way to raise money. You can even fundraise on your birthday instead of asking for gifts. Remember to say thank you and keep sharing your journey.

The post Facebook is ending charity donations: here’s how to donate instead appeared first on GoFundMe (IE).

The rise of crowdfunding

In recent years, crowdfunding has transformed the traditional fundraising landscape, breaking down barriers between those in need and those available to help them. Crowdfunding has made it possible for people to offer direct support to those who need emergency financial assistance, want to raise money for a business, do something good for charity, or support any cause that is close to their heart.

The crowdfunding sector is huge and growing. As the world’s largest social fundraising platform, GoFundMe has been chosen by over 100 million donors worldwide. In Ireland, GoFundMe data shows the country remains one of the most generous per capita on the platform, with Irish donors supporting thousands of fundraisers and communities. In 2024 alone, over €50 million was raised across almost 15,000 fundraisers launched in Ireland, with more than 850,000 donations, according to reporting on platform activity in this market.

How crowdfunding works

Our industry-leading fundraising tools help individuals, groups, and organisations share their stories far and wide. Even small donations can eventually grow into something extraordinary. Crowdfunding follows three simple steps, and while the process is straightforward, success depends on planning, communication, and transparency. 

Step 1: Create your fundraiser

GoFundMe helps you quickly create a fundraiser and tell your story. Start by setting a realistic fundraising goal and explaining clearly why you need support. Campaigns that outline exactly how the funds will be used tend to build more trust with donors. 

Include photos or short videos where possible, as visual content can improve engagement and sharing.  You can raise money as an individual or invite others to join your fundraising team. Learn more about team fundraising.

Step 2: Share and promote your fundraiser

Once your fundraiser is live, you’ll need to share it wherever you can. Most donations come from people within your own network, especially in the early stages. Our sharing tools help you spread the word about your story via social media, emails, and even text messages. Personal messages often do better than general posts because they feel more direct and genuine. We make it easy to keep your network informed so you can raise more money quickly.

Step 3: Easily accept donations and deliver updates

As donations come in, funds are processed securely through the platform, with transaction fees included. Organisers can withdraw funds according to platform policies and local banking rules. Providing updates about how the money is being used helps maintain trust and accountability. 

How do I know if crowdfunding is right for me?

Crowdfunding can work for anybody, and there is no cause too big or too small. Some people might worry that their fundraiser isn’t as worthy as others—but the beauty of crowdfunding is that it exists to help an array of people and needs. Whether you want to help your pet, raise money to pay for a memorial, or get help with bills, crowdfunding can allow you to overcome the financial barriers that may stand in the way.

While most people think crowdfunding services are only for individuals who need emergency financial assistance, businesses looking to fund a new project or raise capital can also fundraise online. Entrepreneurs can even use crowdfunding to finance projects or a new creative idea.

Is it okay to raise money for myself?

Absolutely. Thousands of people start online fundraisers every day to raise money for themselves. It’s understandable that you might be nervous about asking for money. But it’s important to remember that nearly everyone has experienced financial hardship at one point or another. You might be surprised by the number of people who want to support you when you need it most.

What are the different types of crowdfunding?

There are four main types of crowdfunding, and each works in a different way and suits different goals.

Donation-based crowdfunding

• What it is: In donation-based crowdfunding, people search for and support a cause by donating to it without receiving anything in return. GoFundMe is one of the major crowdfunding sites that uses donation-based crowdfunding.
• Who it suits: Individuals raising funds for medical bills, emergencies, education costs, memorials, community projects, or charitable causes.
• Typical return expectation: None. The person running the fundraiser isn’t obligated to pay back donors or give them anything else in return for their contributions.
• A simple example: A family raises funds to cover unexpected medical expenses after an accident.

Rewards-based crowdfunding

• What it is: Through rewards-based crowdfunding on platforms like Indiegogo and Kickstarter, supporters contribute money in exchange for a product, service, or perk. 
• Who it suits: Creators, small businesses, or startups launching a new product or creative project.
• Typical return expectation: The organiser of the fundraiser provides a reward or products to donors, usually a service or physical item, in exchange for a contribution.
• A simple example: A designer raises funds to produce a new board game and offers early copies to supporters.

Equity crowdfunding

• What it is: In equity-based fundraising, the fundraiser organiser accepts money from people looking to invest, typically to help launch a business. 
• Who it suits: Startups and growing businesses who need investment capital.
• Typical return expectation: Shares in the company and the potential for financial returns if the business grows or is sold.
• A simple example: A technology startup raises funds from multiple investors who receive a small ownership stake in the company.

Debt (peer-to-peer) crowdfunding

• What it is: Individuals or businesses borrow money from multiple lenders through an online platform and agree to repay it with interest.
• Who it suits: Small businesses or individuals who need funding but prefer borrowing over giving up ownership.
• Typical return expectation: Repayment of the loan plus interest.
• A simple example: A small café borrows funds from several lenders to renovate its premises and repays the amount over an agreed period with interest.

Note: GoFundMe only allows donation-based crowdfunding.

What are the advantages of crowdfunding?

• Accessibility: Crowdfunding lets individuals, charities, and businesses raise money online without going through traditional banks or investors, which is especially helpful in urgent situations. It also allows people to reach a wide audience quickly. 
• Visibility: Sharing a fundraiser through social media, email, and messaging apps can help it gain donors beyond close friends and family.
• Community support: With donors often sharing fundraisers with others, helping causes reach more people. For businesses or creative projects, crowdfunding can act as market validation. If people are willing to contribute, it may show there’s real demand for an idea.
• Donation-based crowdfunding doesn’t require repayment: This reduces financial pressure compared to loans.

Choosing the right crowdfunding platform

A crowdfunding platform is an online service that allows people to create a fundraising page, collect donations or investments, and share their story with supporters. It gives you the technology to process payments securely, track contributions, and communicate with donors.

What to look for when choosing a platform

When deciding where to host your fundraiser, consider the following:

• Payment methods: Check which payment options are available and whether they suit your supporters.
• Audience reach: Some platforms have large, active communities that can help your fundraiser gain visibility.
• Category fit: Make sure the platform supports the type of fundraising you’re doing, whether it’s personal, charitable, or business-related.
• Safety measures: Look for features that help protect donors and organisers, such as identity checks and secure payment processing.
• Withdrawal rules: Review how and when funds can be transferred to your bank account.
• Tools and support: Consider whether the platform offers sharing tools, mobile access, and guidance to help you succeed.

What sets GoFundMe apart from the rest?

We empower people to rally support for personal and charitable causes. We built our reputation by serving and supporting our community of organisers and donors, and we continue to build on that trust every day. GoFundMe’s giving community is more than 50 million strong and has raised more than €8.5 billion.

Trust & safety

Backed by the GoFundMe Giving Guarantee, our platform is the safest, most secure place to give and receive donations. We have a dedicated Trust & Safety team that works day and night to prevent misuse and make sure funds reach the right hands.

Advanced tools

The key to fundraising success is sharing your fundraiser with as many people as you can. With built-in social fundraising technology, GoFundMe crowdfunding makes it easy to spread awareness for your fundraiser so you can increase donations.

Fundraising resources

Our resource centre offers proven fundraising ideas and tips to set you up for success. Our blog is packed with content that helps you drive more donations to your fundraiser.

Crowdfunding best practices

Running a successful fundraiser takes more than setting a goal. Clear communication, consistent promotion, and regular updates all play a role in building momentum and maintaining trust.

1. Tell a compelling story

From your title to your story and photos, your fundraiser story should be based on your needs and it should inspire people to donate. Before getting started, learn how to make your fundraiser successful with our fundraiser story tips. And don’t forget to upload several high-quality photos or a video to exponentially increase donations to your fundraiser. For more tips, see these helpful blog posts:

• Great Ideas for Naming Your Online Fundraiser
• How Images Can Lead to Fundraising Success
• Videos Are Powerful Fundraiser Tools

2. Build trust and social proof

Every time you share your fundraiser, you’ll bring in an average of €43 in donations—so share your fundraiser often on social media to encourage others to do the same. If you get enough momentum going, your fundraiser could go viral. Well-written updates with any news you can share will also keep supporters and potential donors engaged and in the loop. For more tips, see these blog posts:

• How to Write a Fundraising Update
• Viral Fundraising: Make the Most of Your Fundraiser’s Potential

3. Promotion checklist

Consistent promotion increases visibility and keeps your fundraiser active. Use this checklist to guide your efforts:

• Share your fundraiser link with close friends and family first.
• Send personal messages explaining why their support matters.
• Post regularly on social media platforms.
• Add updates to your fundraiser page to keep it fresh.
• Encourage supporters to share the link with their own networks.
• Use photos or short videos to increase engagement.
• Provide progress updates when you reach key milestones.

4. After you raise funds: updates and accountability

Once donations start coming in, continue communicating. Let supporters know when you’ve reached your goal and how the money is being used. If your plans change, explain why. Transparency builds credibility and shows respect for the people who supported you.

5. Thank your donors

Everyone loves being thanked after doing a good deed, and it’s no different with your donors. In lieu of gifts or rewards, sending thank-you messages is a way to make each donor feel appreciated. And as an added bonus, expressing gratitude can encourage additional donations and increase donor retention.

Our blog post How to Write a Donation Thank-You Letter That Gets You to Your Goal will walk you through the process of crafting the best thank-you possible. Be sure to also check out our list of 20 Affordable Ways to Say Thank You to Donors if you’d like to show your thanks beyond an email.

View more tips

What is the best way to get more donations?

Tell a real story, share it often, and ask people directly for help. Personal messages to key contacts and regular updates work best, and you should encourage sharing and show off your small wins quickly to keep momentum.

Fundraiser success stories

Let’s do it for Layla

Layla is 12 years old, and has been fighting Adrenocortical Carcinoma since 2023 as bravely as can be imagined. This beautiful and determined young girl has gone through two major surgeries, and immunotherapy that her body rejected after only two treatments. Now, she needs a lifesaving surgery that her family need help funding. To date, they have almost hit their total, and your contribution could be what takes them all the way and saves Layla.

Donate

Together for Fiadh

Fiadh went from being an inquisitive little pre-schooler who loved school and playing with her brother, Barra, to a young girl who was constantly in pain, with no energy, and an endless fight with neuroblastoma. After more than a year and a half of intensive treatment that includes chemotherapy, she’s hopefully in the final stage of her frontline care, and the family needed continued help, support, and prayers to get her over the finish line.

Donate

Hope for Rayne: a little warrior battling cancer

Rayne has always been the light of her parents’ lives, Colm and Jean, but all of their worlds were flipped upside down when Rayne was diagnosed with stage 4 of an aggressive, rare, and fast-growing brain cancer, DMG. The family is currently exploring potential treatments overseas and is humbly asking for any and all support available.

Donate 

Start crowdfunding with GoFundMe

When it comes to raising money for a whole host of reasons, crowdfunding can be one of the best ways to do this, especially if you do it properly. Thanks to the upsurge in crowdfunding lately, having broken down barriers between those who need help and those who can offer it, has become a go-to way to find direct support for people who need financial assistance for personal problems, as well as those who want to raise money for a business, support a worthy cause, or do something good for a charity.

The post What is crowdfunding? Meaning, types and how it works appeared first on GoFundMe (IE).

Finding charities near you

There are a number of easy and quick ways to find charities supporting a wealth of things near you – from homelessness to helping animals.  And, if you want to start raising money for a charity near you, we’ve got a blog with tips on how to do so here.

Search the Register of Charities

The Register of Charities is an easy way to find charities near you to support. You can visit the register, type in your location and leave the ‘Where the charity operates’ filter checked to search for charities in that location. There are more than 11,600 charities on the list, all registered by the Charities Regulator. 

Use GoFundMe’s charity finder

Using GoFundMe’s charity finder can also help to inspire you on local charities in your area. If you know of a charity in your area, you can search for it on the site to see what fundraisers are running. But also, if you search by location, you can find any charities that have that location in their name.

Contact charities directly

If you’re inspired by the work of a larger charity, it’s also an option to contact them and ask how they operate in that area. Most larger charities will have an email address on site – or a contact form – so why not drop them a message to ask if they have any location-specific operations in your area?

Our local charities list makes helping easy

If you’d like to get involved with local charities, you might be wondering, “What is the best way to find charities near me?” With thousands of charities in IE there is certainly no shortage of organisations to help.

This charity directory will help you find some of the most prominent charities operating in different areas of Ireland. If this has inspired you to find more, you can visit our longer list of charities here.

1. Pieta House

Pieta House was first established in Dublin in 2006. They help people who are engaging in self harm, or are in suicidal distress and in the time they have been operating have seen and helped more than 60,000 people. They operate in locations across Ireland now and help those struggling access help via a crisis helpline and through therapy. Those who are worried a loved one is suicidal or self harming can also seek help via Pieta House and they offer support to those bereaved by suicide too. 

2. Cork Simon

Cork Simon works with those who are homeless in Cork, offering support and accommodation to help them get back on their feet. Their approach to help has various aspects, from emergency outreach teams who help those sleeping rough to emergency shelter and accommodation. They also have a health team and a hot meal service and also offer things like tenancy support. 

3. Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation

Before this foundation in Mayo and Roscommon was established in 1992 there were no specialist services for patients needing palliative care, meaning they often died in hospital. The Foundation was then established as an organisation to serve the two counties to provide palliative and hospice care. They have constructed The Mayo Hospice and The Roscommon Hospice which have beds for those who need this specialist care.

4. Galway Hospice 

The Galway Hospice helps patients from Galway, Roscommon and Mayo who need palliative care to ‘attain the best quality of life possible’. They offer a number of services, from an inpatient unit to palliative care in the community and a day centre. Galway Hospice was established in 1986 by a group of doctors and nurses who saw a need for palliative care in the county. They had just two nurses to begin with. 

5. Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind

Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind helps those who are visually impaired – and families of children with autism – achieve independence through guide and assistance dogs. They help to connect visually impaired people with their dog, plus providing training and support where it’s needed. They also have an Assistance Dog programme for families with autistic children. They provide all their services free of charge and have 400 clients for guide and assistance dogs in Ireland. They work with a network of volunteers raising guide and assistance dog puppies, too. 

6. Mater Foundation 

The Mater Foundation is the fundraising body for the Mater  Misericordiae University Hospital, located in Dublin. Their mission is to ‘transform and improve patient care at the Mater Hospital’. They invest in state of the art equipment to help both treatment and diagnosis. They are the largest adult hospital foundation in Ireland. 

7. The Alzheimer Society Of Ireland

The Alzheimer Society of Ireland works on raising awareness of Alzheimer’s and dementia across the country by campaigning, working groups and policy. They work in communities across Ireland providing support for people living with the condition – or those looking after loved ones. They also help to advocate for the rights of people living with Alzheimer’s and dementia and their carers. 

Do more to help a charity

Besides donating to a nonprofit’s website or volunteering locally, why not spearhead your own fundraising efforts and make a difference in a unique way? Here are just a few people who took action and helped charities in their own communities:

End Loneliness and Isolation amongst the elderly

Freddy McReady decided to raise money for ALONE by running the Barcelona Marathon. ALONE works with older people, including those who are living in poverty or are isolated, ill, frail or facing difficulties to help them connect with the community around them. They provide services like visitation and befriending, telephone calls and age friendly housing. Freddy and his team have raised more than €4,400. 

Nichola’s 48 hour run 

Nichola started her GoFundMe to raise money for the Beaumont Hospital Cancer Research & Development Trust after her mum was cared for there. She took on a 48 hour run and raised more than €3,600 for the trust. The Beaumont Hospital is a teaching hospital in Dublin. 

Make a difference in your community right now

There’s a reason why GoFundMe is one of the top charity fundraising sites around. We offer a fundraising model that allows you to keep more of your funds, and plenty of charity fundraising tips on our blog, not to mention 24/7 customer support from real people. When you’re ready, sign up to create your charity fundraiser on GoFundMe and begin making an even bigger difference in your community.

Start a charity fundraiser 

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5 easy ways to accept donations online

Once you decide which features are most important for your situation, you can start evaluating different platforms for online giving. Here, we break down four of the most popular online donation tools and the best way to accept donations online to save you time.

1. PayPal

PayPal is a secure payment processing system that allows users to accept donations online. In order for donors to send a donation to your account, donors need to know either your phone number, email address, or contact name.

Unfortunately, PayPal does not offer a section where you can post your story and photos to encourage donations. It also requires donors to use their personal PayPal account. This can be advantageous for existing PayPal users because they don’t need their credit card information to make a donation. On the flip side, it could deter donors who are forced to make a PayPal account in order to contribute.

2. GoFundMe

GoFundMe is a crowdfunding platform that is specifically designed for accepting donations online. But what sets it apart from the others on this list is the storytelling feature it offers to community members. Through GoFundMe you’re not only requesting donations, but sharing your needs, dreams, and ambitions with your network through photos, videos, and the campaign story itself. Out of the platforms listed here, it’s the only one that allows you to:

• Create fundraising goals
• Feature your story
• Accept donations without creating an account
• Thank donors personally
• Update donors with photos and new developments

Donors have the flexibility of donating on their mobile device or computer. They can also share your fundraiser on social media with the click of a button. If you already have the other donation options and want to make that information available to donors, simply add your payment handles in your fundraiser description. That way, donors can choose whatever option is most convenient for them and encourage even further giving. Wondering “how do I ask for donations online?” Our blog post on how to ask for donations will teach you in a few simple steps.

Fundraising for your favourite charity

GoFundMe also makes it easy for you to raise money and accept donations online for your nonprofit. When you are fundraising for a nonprofit organisation, select which charity you’d like to support. All donations to your charity fundraiser are tax-deductible and go straight to the charity’s bank account, so you don’t ever have to worry about handling the funds.

3. Venmo

Like PayPal, Venmo is a user-friendly, no-frills payment platform. In addition, Venmo also doesn’t have a section to share your fundraiser story and post photos. To get started, all you need to do is download the mobile app to your smartphone or tablet. Compared to other platforms, it accepts most types of foreign currencies. Donors can easily search your Venmo username and send you money within seconds.

However, donors may incur a fee if they use a credit card. Generally, this isn’t an issue because most users connect their debit cards to avoid additional costs. Another limitation is that Venmo requires donors to have or create an account. Keep in mind that Venmo is only supported on mobile devices or tablets. This may discourage certain users, especially if they don’t have a smartphone or tablet.

What to look for when evaluating online donation tools

We live in a world of options, where you can pick and choose depending on your needs. While this is generally regarded as a good thing, what happens when you’re flooded with choices? How can you possibly make the best decision when trying to collect donations online?

To help you weigh your options, we created a list of key features when selecting a donation platform. This way, you’ll be able to pick the best platform for your needs.

Cost

Depending on your needs, you may not be able to shell out money for a paid giving platform. Depending on the type of platform you use, you’ll want to check out the pricing and fees before you decide.

Ease of use

Time is money. Two hours spent navigating an online giving platform is two hours that could have been spent collecting donations. Before committing to a specific donation platform, determine how easy it is to use, if it has a good mobile app, and if the sharing tools are simple to use.

Showcasing your store

A successful fundraiser is dependent on an honest and compelling story. Does it move people to give to your cause? If donors understand the impact of their contributions, they will be more likely to give to your cause and share your fundraiser with their networks. Look for online donation tools that can give your story the attention it deserves.

Ways to share

Leverage the power of your networks to spread the word and encourage donations. In recent years, social media has become a popular and easy way to share your fundraiser with others. Does your donation platform make it easy to share on social media?

If you’re uncomfortable sharing your personal fundraiser on social media, there are other ways of fundraising without social media. Choose whichever method makes you most comfortable.

Customer service

See what customer service options your desired platform offers. Does it offer phone, email, or chat support? What type of response times should you anticipate? Even if you don’t anticipate roadblocks, it’s better to be informed when things don’t go as planned.

What you need to have on hand to receive your donations

In order to receive funds from your GoFundMe, you’ll need to have a few pieces of information available. This is to ensure the funds are going to the right person and the right place. Here, we outline what documents you’ll need to withdraw your donations.

Bank account info

If you’re raising money for yourself, this information should be pretty easy to locate. The most common way to find the requested information is to look at your checkbook or online bank documents. Please note that it’s important to double and triple-check your bank account information so there are no problems with your bank receiving the donations.

If you’re raising money for someone else, you’ll need to add them as the recipient so they can withdraw the funds directly. It’s as simple as sending them an email invitation. This will ensure that the donations go directly to them.

Raise more with GoFundMe

Whether you’re raising money  for yourself, a friend, or fundraising for a charity, GoFundMe is here to help. What makes our powerful platform stand out is the ability to share your story with compelling photos and videos. Through storytelling and our fundraising tools, you can reach more supporters, encourage more donations, and build stronger relationships with the people who want you to succeed. Moreover, our Customer Care team is ready to answer your questions and offer expert advice along the way. Take advantage of our fundraising expertise and launch your online fundraiser today.

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