GoFundMe transfers money to your bank account through a process called withdrawal, which takes three to five business days once you request it

When someone donates to your GoFundMe campaign, the money sits in your GoFundMe account first. To use it, you need to move it to a bank account you own — a withdrawal. GoFundMe does not send money directly to donors' banks or to third-party accounts. You control when the transfer happens, and you can withdraw in full or in smaller amounts over time.

The process is straightforward if your bank account information is already connected to GoFundMe. If it is not, you will add it before your first withdrawal. GoFundMe uses a service called Stripe to handle the actual bank transfer, which is why the money takes a few days to arrive — your bank and Stripe both need time to process it.

Key Takeaways

  • You must connect a U.S. bank account to your GoFundMe account before you can withdraw any money.
  • Withdrawals take three to five business days to appear in your bank account after you request them.
  • GoFundMe does not charge a fee to withdraw money to your bank, but your own bank may charge a fee for receiving transfers.
  • You can withdraw money at any time once your campaign has received donations, even if the campaign is still active.
  • If your bank account information changes, you must update it in your GoFundMe settings before requesting another withdrawal.

What bank account information you need to provide

GoFundMe requires a U.S. bank account in your own name. This can be a checking account, savings account, or money market account — the type does not matter as long as it is registered to you personally. If you are running a campaign for someone else (a family member or friend), you still need to provide your own account, not theirs, because GoFundMe requires the account holder to match the person who created the campaign.

You will need your routing number and account number, both of which appear on the bottom left of any check from your account. If you do not have checks, you can log into your bank's website or app and find these numbers in the account details section. Some banks call the routing number the "transit number" or "ABA number" — they are the same thing.

Have your bank's name and your full legal name ready as well. GoFundMe will ask you to confirm that the account belongs to you, so the name on your GoFundMe account should match the name on your bank account exactly.

How to add your bank account to GoFundMe

Log into your GoFundMe account on a computer or phone and go to your account settings. Look for a section called "Payouts," "Withdrawals," or "Bank Account" — the exact name varies depending on when your account was created. Click the option to add a bank account.

Enter your routing number, account number, account type (checking or savings), and the name on the account. GoFundMe will ask you to confirm that you are the account holder and that you understand the money will be transferred to this account. Once you submit this information, GoFundMe sends two small test deposits to your bank — usually less than one dollar each — to verify the account is real and belongs to you.

Check your bank account in one to two business days for these test deposits. They will appear as small charges from Stripe, the payment processor GoFundMe uses. GoFundMe will ask you to enter the exact amounts of these two deposits to confirm you have access to the account. Once you do, your bank account is verified and ready for withdrawals.

Requesting a withdrawal to your bank account

Go to your GoFundMe account and find the "Payouts" or "Withdrawals" section. You will see your current balance — the total amount of money in your GoFundMe account that is available to withdraw. Enter the amount you want to transfer. You can withdraw all of it at once or leave some behind if you want to withdraw again later.

Review the details: the amount, the bank account it will go to, and the expected arrival date (usually three to five business days). Confirm the withdrawal. GoFundMe will send you an email confirming that the withdrawal request has been submitted.

The money does not arrive when ready. Stripe processes the transfer, then your bank receives it and posts it to your account. During this time, the money is in transit — you cannot see it in your GoFundMe account or your bank account yet. Once it arrives in your bank, it is yours to use like any other deposit.

What happens if your bank rejects the transfer

Occasionally a bank will reject a transfer from GoFundMe, usually because the account information was entered incorrectly or the account has been closed. If this happens, GoFundMe will send you an email explaining that the withdrawal failed. The money returns to your GoFundMe account automatically, usually within five to seven business days.

Check your bank account information in your GoFundMe settings. Make sure the routing number and account number are exactly correct — even one wrong digit will cause a rejection. If you recently closed that account or switched banks, update your information to your new account before requesting another withdrawal.

If you are unsure whether your account information is correct, call your bank and ask them to confirm your routing number and account number. Banks can also tell you whether they have received any failed transfer attempts, which helps you understand what went wrong.

Fees and taxes on GoFundMe withdrawals

GoFundMe does not charge you a fee to withdraw money to your bank account. The money you see in your GoFundMe balance is the amount you will receive, minus any fees that were already taken out when donors contributed (GoFundMe takes a small percentage from each donation, but that happens before the money reaches your account).

Your own bank may charge a fee for receiving transfers, though most banks do not charge for incoming transfers. If you are unsure, contact your bank and ask whether they charge for ACH transfers — that is the type of transfer GoFundMe uses. Some banks only charge fees on outgoing transfers, not incoming ones.

Money you withdraw from GoFundMe may be taxable income depending on the reason for your campaign. Donations for medical expenses, disaster relief, or gifts to friends may not be taxable, but money raised for a business or service is usually taxable. Keep records of your campaign and consult a tax professional if you are unsure whether you owe taxes on the money.

Troubleshooting common withdrawal problems

If your withdrawal is taking longer than five business days, check your email for messages from GoFundMe. They may be asking you to verify your identity or provide additional information. Respond to these messages as soon as possible — your withdrawal cannot complete until you do.

If you do not see the withdrawal in your bank account after five business days and you have not received any emails from GoFundMe, contact your bank directly. Ask them whether they have received a transfer from Stripe for the amount you withdrew. Your bank can tell you whether the transfer arrived and was posted, or whether it is still in process.

If your bank says they never received the transfer, contact GoFundMe support through your account. Provide them with the date you requested the withdrawal and the amount. They can check whether the transfer was sent and troubleshoot why it did not arrive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I withdraw money before my campaign ends?

Yes. You can withdraw money at any time once your campaign has received donations, even if the campaign is still active and receiving more donations. Each withdrawal is separate — you can withdraw some money now and more money later.

What if I want to withdraw to a different bank account?

You can update your bank account information in your GoFundMe settings at any time. The next withdrawal you request will go to the new account. Make sure the new account is in your name and that you have the correct routing and account numbers before you request the withdrawal.

Does GoFundMe charge a fee to withdraw?

No. GoFundMe does not charge you to withdraw money to your bank account. Your bank may charge a fee for receiving transfers, but most do not. Check with your bank if you are unsure.

How long does it take for money to show up in my bank account?

Three to five business days after you request the withdrawal. Weekends and holidays do not count as business days, so a withdrawal requested on Friday may not arrive until Wednesday or Thursday of the following week.

What if I entered my bank account number wrong?

The transfer will be rejected and the money will return to your GoFundMe account within five to seven business days. Update your account information with the correct number and request the withdrawal again. Call your bank if you are unsure of your correct account number.