Facebook birthday fundraisers have become increasingly popular in recent years. Many users have likely seen posts from friends requesting donations to a charity “in honor of” their birthdays. But are these Facebook birthday fundraisers truly legit?
What are Facebook birthday fundraisers?
Facebook introduced birthday fundraisers in 2017 as a way for users to leverage their birthdays and social networks to raise money for charities. Here’s how it works:
- A Facebook user sets up a fundraiser through Facebook and selects a charity they want to raise money for.
- On the user’s birthday, Facebook sends notifications to the user’s friends suggesting they donate to the fundraiser “in honor of” the user’s birthday.
- 100% of the donations go directly to the selected charity. Facebook absorbs the processing fees.
Users can choose from over 1 million verified charities on Facebook when setting up their birthday fundraiser. Some popular charities include UNICEF, American Red Cross, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and the ASPCA.
Are Facebook birthday donations tax deductible?
Donations made through Facebook birthday fundraisers are tax deductible in the United States. Facebook provides documentation of donations for tax purposes.
However, the tax deductible donation technically comes from the donor, not the person whose birthday it is. So the person requesting birthday donations can’t claim those charitable gifts on their own taxes.
Where does the money go?
Facebook birthday fundraisers send 100% of the donations directly to the specified charity. Facebook absorbs the credit card processing fees so the full donation amount goes to the nonprofit.
The funds are transferred from the donor’s payment method to the charity, without ever entering the birthday person’s account. The birthday fundraiser organizer has no access to collect or spend the donation money.
Are Facebook birthday fundraisers safe?
Facebook birthday fundraisers are generally safe because they involve verified nonprofits and the money never passes through an individual’s hands.
However, as with anything involving money, donors should practice caution and due diligence. Here are some tips for safe donating via a birthday fundraiser:
- Double check that the nonprofit shown is legitimate before donating. Scammers can still impersonate charities.
- Only donate directly through Facebook using their payment system. Avoid any requests to donate through third party sites or direct wire transfers.
- Stick to established charities you are familiar with. Avoid brand new or unknown organizations, which could be fraudulent.
- Make sure the fundraiser organizer is actually affiliated with the charity shown. Scammers can lie about the beneficiary.
As long as donors follow basic security precautions, Facebook birthday fundraisers are generally safe and secure ways to support great causes.
How much money do Facebook birthday fundraisers raise?
Facebook birthday fundraisers have raised over $1 billion worldwide for charities since launching in 2017. Some key stats:
- More than $300 million was raised via birthday fundraisers in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Over 20 million people have donated to a birthday fundraiser.
- The most successful individual fundraisers have raised over $80,000.
- The average birthday fundraiser raises about $100-$200.
Top performing fundraisers usually have very large social networks from public figures, celebrities, or community leaders.
Should I donate to a Facebook birthday fundraiser?
Here are some pros and cons to consider when deciding whether to donate to a friend’s Facebook birthday fundraiser:
Pros:
- Supports a charitable cause you likely agree with if you know the fundraiser organizer.
- 100% of proceeds go to charity so you know your money is well spent.
- Donation is tax deductible for you.
- Allows you to honor your friend’s birthday by joining their philanthropic effort.
Cons:
- Some find donation requests frequent and annoying.
- You have less control versus choosing your own charities to support.
- Can enable slacktivism instead of more meaningful charity involvement.
Ultimately it comes down to personal preference. If you appreciate the charity and want an easy way to celebrate a friend’s birthday, a donation makes sense. But there is no obligation or expectation to give.
How to set up a Facebook birthday fundraiser
Here is a step-by-step guide to setting up your own Facebook birthday fundraiser:
- Go to Fundraisers in the left menu of your Facebook account and click “Raise Money.”
- Select “Nonprofit” then search for the verified charity you want funds to support.
- Choose “Birthday” as the reason for raising funds.
- Set your fundraising goal amount and deadline.
- Customize the fundraiser photo, text, and visibility.
- Click “Create Fundraiser” to publish your birthday fundraiser.
- Share the fundraiser on your timeline and in Facebook groups to promote donations.
- On your birthday, Facebook will send notifications to your friends suggesting they donate.
- Check back on your dashboard to see real time donation progress.
- Thank donors and share fundraising impact once completed.
With these simple steps you can leverage your birthday and social network to support nearly any charity you choose!
Conclusion
Facebook birthday fundraisers are a legitimate, safe way to fundraise for charity while celebrating your special day. The money goes 100% to the selected nonprofit, providing donors tax benefits as well. While not obligatory, donating to a friend’s birthday fundraiser enables supporting constructive causes.
As with anything involving money transfers, donors should verify legitimacy and use caution. But overall, Facebook birthday donations provide a meaningful way to give back combined with birthday fun. Just be sure the charity fits your values before contributing.