Add your bank account in the Donations tab

To receive money from a GoFundMe campaign, you connect your bank account through the Donations tab on your campaign page. GoFundMe uses this connection to transfer funds to you, usually within two to three business days after a donation is made. You will need your routing number and account number — both appear on a check or in your online banking portal.

The process takes about five minutes. GoFundMe will ask you to confirm your identity and verify the account with two small deposits (usually under $1 each) that appear in your bank account within one to two business days. You then enter those amounts back into GoFundMe to confirm the account is yours.

If you have not yet created a campaign, you cannot add a bank account until you do. Once your campaign is live or in draft form, the Donations tab becomes available in your campaign settings.

Key Takeaways

  • You add your bank account through the Donations tab in your campaign settings, not through your personal GoFundMe profile.
  • GoFundMe verifies your account by depositing two small amounts and asking you to report those amounts back to them.
  • Funds transfer to your bank account within two to three business days after each donation, minus GoFundMe's processing fee.
  • You will need your routing number and account number from your bank, which you can find on a check or in your online banking app.
  • If verification fails or your account information changes, you can update or re-verify your bank account at any time through the same Donations tab.

What information GoFundMe needs from you

GoFundMe asks for your full legal name, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number to verify your identity. This is standard practice for any service that moves money between accounts and is required by federal law.

For the bank account itself, you will provide your routing number (a nine-digit code that identifies your bank) and your account number (typically 10 to 12 digits). If you are unsure where to find these, log into your bank's website or app and look for account details, or pull out a check — both numbers appear at the bottom left of the check.

GoFundMe does not ask for your PIN, password, or online banking login. If a page asks for those, you are on the wrong site.

The verification process and how long it takes

After you enter your bank details, GoFundMe sends two small test deposits to your account. These usually arrive within one to two business days. The amounts are random and typically between 1 cent and 99 cents each.

Once you see the deposits in your bank account, return to GoFundMe and enter both amounts in the verification field. After you submit them correctly, your account is verified and ready to receive donations. From that point forward, all funds go directly to your bank account.

If the deposits do not arrive within three business days, or if you enter the amounts incorrectly twice, GoFundMe may ask you to re-verify. You can also contact GoFundMe's support team to request a manual verification, though this takes longer.

When funds actually reach your bank account

Donations made to your campaign are held by GoFundMe for a short period while they process the payment. Most transfers to your bank account happen within two to three business days. Weekends and bank holidays do not count as business days, so a donation made on Friday may not appear until Tuesday or Wednesday.

GoFundMe deducts its processing fee (2.2% plus 30 cents per donation for most campaigns) before the money reaches your account. So if someone donates $100, you receive approximately $97.50. The fee structure varies slightly depending on your campaign type and location.

You can check the status of pending transfers in the Donations tab. GoFundMe shows you each donation, the date it was received, and the date it is scheduled to transfer to your bank.

Changing or updating your bank account

If you need to switch to a different bank account, return to the Donations tab and select the option to update your banking information. You will enter the new routing and account numbers, and GoFundMe will send two verification deposits to the new account. Until those deposits are verified, donations will continue going to your old account.

Once the new account is verified, all future donations go to the new account. Any money already transferred to your old account stays there — GoFundMe does not move it for you.

If your bank account is closed or becomes inactive, GoFundMe will hold donations temporarily while trying to process them. After several failed attempts, the platform will notify you and ask you to update your account information. Donations cannot be transferred indefinitely, so update your account as soon as you know it has changed.

What to do if verification fails

Verification fails most often because the routing or account number was entered incorrectly. Double-check both numbers against your check or your bank's website. Routing numbers are always nine digits; account numbers vary but are typically 10 to 12 digits. If either number is wrong, the test deposits will not arrive.

If you entered the verification amounts incorrectly, you can try again. GoFundMe allows two attempts before asking you to re-verify. If you miss both attempts, contact GoFundMe support and request a manual verification. Provide a photo of a voided check or a bank statement showing your name and account number.

If your bank is blocking the deposits (some banks flag small transfers as suspicious), contact your bank directly and ask them to allow transfers from GoFundMe. Provide your bank with GoFundMe's legal business name and EIN if they ask. Once your bank allows the deposits through, the verification usually completes within one to two business days.

Security and fraud protection

GoFundMe does not store your full bank account number after verification. The platform uses encryption to protect your information and only retains what is necessary to process transfers. Your account is tied to your GoFundMe login, so only you can change the banking information unless someone gains access to your account.

If you suspect fraud or unauthorized access to your GoFundMe account, change your password immediately and contact GoFundMe support. If money has already been transferred to a bank account you do not recognize, contact your bank and report the unauthorized transfer. Your bank can reverse transfers within a limited window, usually 10 to 30 days depending on the type of transfer.

Never share your GoFundMe login, routing number, or account number with anyone claiming to help you set up your campaign. GoFundMe staff will never ask for this information via email or phone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a savings account instead of a checking account?

Yes. GoFundMe transfers work with both checking and savings accounts as long as the account is in your name and can receive ACH transfers. Some savings accounts have limits on how many transfers they can receive per month, so check with your bank if you expect high donation volume.

What happens to donations if my bank account is not verified yet?

GoFundMe holds donations in your campaign account until your bank account is verified. Once verification is complete, all held donations transfer to your bank account along with new donations. You do not lose money by waiting to verify.

Do I need a business account or can I use a personal account?

You can use a personal account. GoFundMe does not require a business bank account for personal campaigns. If you are running a campaign for a registered nonprofit or charity, check GoFundMe's nonprofit program — it may have different banking requirements.

How long does it take to get my first donation after adding a bank account?

That depends on how many people donate, not on your bank account setup. Once your account is verified, donations can start arriving immediately. The first donation may come within hours or may take weeks, depending on whether anyone donates to your campaign.

Can I remove my bank account from GoFundMe without closing my campaign?

Yes. You can disconnect your bank account at any time through the Donations tab. If you do, new donations will not transfer anywhere, so add a new account before removing the old one unless you are closing the campaign permanently.