Getting Started with Fundraising for Coronavirus Relief

October 31, 2024 | 9 min read Financial Assistance

With so much uncertainty and concern surrounding the recent novel coronavirus, it’s easy to feel helpless—but there is something we can all do to help the fight against it. Aside from keeping safe and following guidelines from medical experts, we can all do our part to get help to people and regions that have been affected.

By fundraising for coronavirus relief efforts, or donating to a COVID-19 relief fund, we can all do our part and provide much-needed support and aid. With the growing number of quarantined areas, individuals in these areas need vital medical help and day-to-day items to pull through this new threat.

Start a coronavirus fundraiser

What is the coronavirus and how can you stay safe?

The only thing that’s certain at this point about the coronavirus (COVID-19) is that it’s a respiratory infection that can be transmitted from person to person. Aside from this, scientists are still uncovering other factors about the disease and its spread. For this reason, it’s important to rely on the advice of medical experts and be wary of misinformation that is circulating, such as unproven cures and ways to fight the disease.

To get the latest news and facts on the coronavirus, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is a great place to start. As of today, the CDC has provided numerous resources with ever-evolving information about the disease, and even steps to prevent the illness. It’s also good to remember basic tips on personal cleanliness that can reduce your risk of contracting the disease, such as washing your hands often, not touching your face, and practicing social distancing.

If you want to take added steps to prevent your risk of exposure, look to the CDC’s travel notices, which include information about high-risk regions. Once you ensure you’re taking the necessary steps to reduce your own risk, consider helping others that may not have as many options.

Why is it important to support those affected by COVID-19?

The impact of the coronavirus has extended far beyond those who have become infected. Entire communities now face emergency lockdowns, and in Italy alone, over 16 million people have been quarantined in an attempt to prevent further spread of the disease.

With such a staggering number of people in quarantine and more becoming sick, needs quickly mount. Everything from basics, like food to emergency financial assistance to pay for things like rent is urgently needed as people experience lost wages due to illness or quarantine restrictions. For those who are already sick, paying medical bills has become an additional burden.

In countries like the United States, where not everyone may have access to insurance, financial help for the coronavirus is desperately needed to ensure people don’t avoid seeking treatment or testing because they don’t have insurance. However, even in countries with universal healthcare, the sheer surprise of this new threat has led to a huge push to raise money for coronavirus for growing demands for medical supplies and equipment.

Ways to provide coronavirus financial relief

As the threat of this disease grows and puts further strain on communities, here are a few things we can all consider doing to provide some relief:

1. Directly support individuals impacted by the virus

As the crisis grows, so do the negative effects on peoples’ health and their financial wellbeing, but we can all do our part to help those affected. Here’s how making a direct donation to a COVID-19 fundraiser can help:

Living expenses

Hourly workers and people without paid sick time are among the most vulnerable to the negative financial effects of the pandemic. With no way to cover expenses, workers like these will inevitably fall behind on rent and other fixed expenses. For these reasons, it’s important to get ahead of the crisis and start providing support to individuals like these.

Read Coronavirus Relief for Homeowners and Renters: A Resource Guide for additional resources.

Food, water, and other basics

Low-income households are already strained in good times but this new threat makes it even more important to provide immediate financial assistance to these households.

For more help read Four Crucial Resources for Single Parents During the Coronavirus and Coronavirus Relief for Low Income Families: Ways to Find Support.

Small business and unemployment support

Millions of small businesses affected by the coronavirus are now suffering severe economic hardship because of the outbreak. Starting a fundraiser for your favorite local restaurant, bar, coffee shop, or boutique is one way to help business owners as well as service industry workers. You can also help promote them on social media like Facebook or Twitter to attract more donors to their existing fundraisers. You can also donate to these businesses yourself to ensure they stay afloat through this crisis.

Are you a small business owner who is struggling to pay your bills? See our blog posts Coronavirus Relief for Small Businesses: Seven Ways to Get Help and The Best Fundraising Tips for Small Businesses. Now would also be a good time to explore new strategies like setting up a virtual team or using the power of digital marketing channels such as email.

Emergency medical treatment, medication, and equipment

As our economy becomes strained and more people are affected by financial pressures, the ability for people to pay for medication and treatment becomes a real hurdle to seeking treatment. As a result, people across GoFundMe have already started their COVID-19 fundraising efforts, and you can do your part to provide direct financial assistance to fundraisers, such as the examples included below.

And these are just a few examples of what people are trying to do to help each other during this crisis. At GoFundMe, you can find many more great acts of kindness. To find more fundraisers like the ones above, check out our hub for COVID-19, How to Help Those Affected by COVID-19.

Donating directly to these coronavirus fundraising campaigns may provide the immediate financial support families and individuals need to rise above this crisis. While donating to charities or communal fundraisers is also a great option, fundraisers for individuals may be the best way to guarantee people get the money they need to get immediate relief.

2. Create care packages with supplies

While everyone should be taking precautions, some people in our communities may be at a greater risk if they are elderly or have preexisting health conditions. For people who are not able to get around easily due to preexisting conditions, preparing for potential quarantines may be much harder. To help these individuals, consider creating care packages to help reduce their risk of exposure.

Volunteers in Chicago did just this when they decided to create care packages for seniors. As the threat of COVID-19 grew, these volunteers took action and devised a plan to get supplies to people who need the most help during this time of crisis.

If you’d like to do this on your own but don’t know where to start, consider reaching out to a local charity and ask if they would like to partner with you. Local charities may already be doing this, so it would be a great opportunity for you to volunteer your time with them.

3. Start a crowdfunding coronavirus fundraiser for yourself or someone you know

Another great way to provide support is by creating a fundraiser for someone in need. By setting up a coronavirus relief fundraiser for someone that needs help, you can help them overcome potential hurdles they’re facing because of the spread of COVID-19. Setting up a coronavirus fundraiser is just one way to do this, but you can also look to other crowdfunding platforms and find the right fit.

Of course, if you’re the person in need, you may want to start a coronavirus fundraiser for yourself. You may have a sick family member, have childcare needs, or even be out of work as a result of quarantine measures in your region. Even today, only a few months after the disease was discovered, you’ll find hundreds of COVID-19 fundraisers that people have created, and many are for themselves. If you’re in a quarantined region or need emergency funds to prepare, a coronavirus donation drive could make all the difference.

To get an idea of the impact your fundraiser could make, take a look at the short, inspiring video below.

4. Donate to coronavirus relief efforts

Another great way to help is by supporting organizations that are providing COVID-19 relief funds to people and communities affected by the coronavirus. By contributing to charities that are addressing the coronavirus impact, you can provide direct support to COVID-19 fundraising on a larger scale.

If you want to find charities near you, try reaching out to organizations that typically provide the public with basics, such as food, water, and toiletries. If you’re not sure how to donate to help coronavirus efforts, find an online nonprofit directory and reach out to any charities that seem like a good fit. Consider starting a charity fundraiser to support a local charity in your community. Using GoFundMe, you can find local nonprofits and start fundraising coronavirus relief efforts on their behalf.

Take action today with coronavirus fundraising

Start coronavirus crowdfunding or find other ways to help during the COVID-19 pandemic. Getting ahead and helping now is key to making sure everyone is prepared for new developments. Whether you’re opting to go with fundraising options, like GoFundMe, or gathering supplies for care packages, it’s important to do something now to start the coronavirus fundraising process.

Start a fundraiser