YouCaring

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YouCaring

Type of site	Crowdfunding
Available in	English
Commercial	Yes
Registration	Required
Launched	2011
Current status	Defunct (acquired by GoFundMe in 2018)

YouCaring was a crowdfunding website that allowed individuals to raise funds for personal, medical, and charitable causes. It was founded in 2011 and became known for its fee-free fundraising model, where the platform did not charge a fee for donations, relying instead on voluntary contributions from donors to cover operational costs.

History

YouCaring was established in 2011 with the mission to help people raise money for personal and charitable causes without the burden of platform fees. The platform quickly gained popularity due to its user-friendly interface and the absence of mandatory fees, which distinguished it from other crowdfunding sites like Kickstarter and Indiegogo.

In 2018, YouCaring was acquired by GoFundMe, another major player in the crowdfunding industry. Following the acquisition, YouCaring's operations were integrated into GoFundMe, and the YouCaring website was eventually shut down.

Features

YouCaring offered several features that made it a popular choice for fundraisers:

• **Fee-Free Model**: Unlike many other crowdfunding platforms, YouCaring did not charge a platform fee, allowing fundraisers to keep more of the money they raised.
• **Personal and Medical Fundraising**: The platform was particularly popular for personal and medical fundraising, helping individuals cover expenses related to healthcare, emergencies, and other personal needs.
• **Charitable Causes**: In addition to personal fundraising, YouCaring supported charitable causes, allowing users to raise money for non-profit organizations and community projects.
• **Social Media Integration**: YouCaring provided tools for sharing campaigns on social media, helping fundraisers reach a wider audience.

Acquisition by GoFundMe

In 2018, YouCaring was acquired by GoFundMe, a leading crowdfunding platform. The acquisition allowed GoFundMe to expand its reach and integrate YouCaring's fee-free model into its own operations. Following the acquisition, YouCaring's website was shut down, and users were directed to GoFundMe for their fundraising needs.

Legacy

Although YouCaring is no longer operational, its impact on the crowdfunding industry remains significant. The platform's fee-free model influenced other crowdfunding sites to reconsider their fee structures, and its focus on personal and medical fundraising highlighted the importance of accessible financial support for individuals in need.

See also

• Crowdfunding
• GoFundMe
• Kickstarter
• Indiegogo