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stupid people abound
Some crowdfunding campaigns that seemed ridiculous or frivolous have gone on to raise significant amounts of money. These campaigns often succeed by tapping into a blend of humor, novelty, and internet virality.
The potato salad campaign
In 2014, Zack Brown launched a Kickstarter campaign to make a potato salad, initially setting a goal of just $10. It quickly went viral, attracting widespread media attention and leading to donations that surpassed $55,000. Brown used the funds to throw a massive potato salad party for his backers and the public in Columbus, Ohio.
The "Relentlessly Gay" yard
When a Baltimore widow received an anonymous, homophobic letter complaining that her rainbow decorations were "relentlessly gay," she launched a GoFundMe to buy more. The story of her creative response and her intention to make her yard even gayer went viral. The campaign quickly surpassed its $5,000 goal, raising over $43,000 for additional decorations and to support LGBTQ+ causes. The fundraiser's creator later said she would return the money, alleging the letter was not legitimate.
The "420" tattoo removal
Tabitha West created a GoFundMe to remove a "420" tattoo from her forehead, a mark she now regretted and felt was hurting her job prospects. Despite the seemingly trivial cause, her honest story resonated with many, and she raised more than her $800 goal to get the tattoo removed.
The McDonald's McNugget craving
A college student named Michael Panik started a GoFundMe for a 20-piece McNugget meal, framed as a "truly great" life achievement. His humorous, meta-commentary on the frivolity of some crowdfunding campaigns captured public attention. With a goal of just $10, he successfully raised $15.
The scam that was too good to be true
Not all absurd campaigns are harmless. In 2017, a couple and a homeless
veteran fabricated a story about the veteran giving his last $20 to the couple for gas. The story went viral and raised over $400,000 on GoFundMe. However, it was later exposed as a complete scam, and all three individuals were charged with theft by deception.
Some crowdfunding campaigns that seemed ridiculous or frivolous have gone on to raise significant amounts of money. These campaigns often succeed by tapping into a blend of humor, novelty, and internet virality.
The potato salad campaign
In 2014, Zack Brown launched a Kickstarter campaign to make a potato salad, initially setting a goal of just $10. It quickly went viral, attracting widespread media attention and leading to donations that surpassed $55,000. Brown used the funds to throw a massive potato salad party for his backers and the public in Columbus, Ohio.
The "Relentlessly Gay" yard
When a Baltimore widow received an anonymous, homophobic letter complaining that her rainbow decorations were "relentlessly gay," she launched a GoFundMe to buy more. The story of her creative response and her intention to make her yard even gayer went viral. The campaign quickly surpassed its $5,000 goal, raising over $43,000 for additional decorations and to support LGBTQ+ causes. The fundraiser's creator later said she would return the money, alleging the letter was not legitimate.
The "420" tattoo removal
Tabitha West created a GoFundMe to remove a "420" tattoo from her forehead, a mark she now regretted and felt was hurting her job prospects. Despite the seemingly trivial cause, her honest story resonated with many, and she raised more than her $800 goal to get the tattoo removed.
The McDonald's McNugget craving
A college student named Michael Panik started a GoFundMe for a 20-piece McNugget meal, framed as a "truly great" life achievement. His humorous, meta-commentary on the frivolity of some crowdfunding campaigns captured public attention. With a goal of just $10, he successfully raised $15.
The scam that was too good to be true
Not all absurd campaigns are harmless. In 2017, a couple and a homeless
veteran fabricated a story about the veteran giving his last $20 to the couple for gas. The story went viral and raised over $400,000 on GoFundMe. However, it was later exposed as a complete scam, and all three individuals were charged with theft by deception.
