YouCaring Launches First "State of Compassion" Report Analyzing Geographic and Demographic Trends in US Crowdfunding

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- YouCaring, the world's trusted leader in free crowdfunding for personal, medical, and charitable causes, today released its first State of Compassion Report, uncovering new geographic, demographic, and social trends in fundraising across the platform. 

YouCaring is uniquely positioned to spot trends in online giving as the leader in Compassionate Crowdfunding^™ since 2011 and a certified B Corporation^® that has helped Americans faced with hardship raise over $900 million to date. In contrast to other fundraising platforms, YouCaring does not take a cut of each donation, but instead relies on voluntary donor tips to fund operations.

While the report shows the range and depth of Americans' compassion, it also highlights the increasing social, economic, and environmental challenges of modern-day America. Most fundraisers are launched by people in need or by those close to them, yet many others address larger issues, raising funds for social or environmental causes. The report is based on the rigorous analysis of aggregated and anonymized data from almost 350,000 YouCaring active campaign profiles and provides a unique snapshot into a society's generosity—and its struggles.

Trending: Gender Reassignment and Social Justice Fundraisers

In a year in which issues of gender, race, immigration, social justice, and the environment stand at the forefront of the national conversation, YouCaring crowdfunding campaigns reflected these topical issues. The number of campaigns addressing gender reassignment increased by 78 percent year over year, while fertility treatments increased by 36.5 percent and social justice causes by 34 percent. Strikingly, the number of fundraisers with "immigration" as a key topic increased by 117 percent in the last year, and those with "climate change" by 112 percent, though both represent a relatively small proportion of all YouCaring fundraisers.

Overall, campaigns that raise money to cover medical expenses make up the largest and fastest-growing category of fundraisers on YouCaring. Within this category, the number of fundraisers aiming to help those fighting cancer grew the fastest, 67 percent year over year.

Most Compassionate Cities and States

The District of Columbia, Colorado, Massachusetts, Washington, California, and New York top YouCaring's quarterly "10 most generous" list of states that donated the largest amounts of money per household average. In Q3 2017, they were joined by Texas, Wisconsin, and Illinois, all of which moved into the top 10, largely thanks to fundraisers for Hurricane Harvey relief. One such fundraiser, initiated by the Houston Texans' JJ Watt, raised a record-breaking $37 million. Meanwhile, Texas and Florida, hardest hit by Harvey and Irma, were among the 10 most active organizer states.

Houston, TX, tops the crowdfunding platform's list of the most compassionate cities in the US for Q3 2017. The list of cities from which most YouCaring fundraisers were launched this past quarter was also topped by Houston, and includes Tampa and Miami, both hit hard by Hurricane Irma.

Gender "Giving Gap": Highest in South Carolina; Lowest Among Millennials

According to YouCaring's data for 2017, women are on average two times more likely to donate money online than men, with younger generations displaying a smaller gap between genders. One thing to keep in mind, however, is that when they do donate online, men tend to give larger sums than women.

The smallest giving disparity between genders was for those 18–24, with one male for every four female donors, and the largest disparity is for those aged 55 and older, one male for every seven female donors. On a state-by-state basis, the smallest giving disparity between men and women was in New York state, with one male likely to donate money on YouCaring for every three females. The largest difference was found in South Carolina, where only one male donated for every 32 females.

Download the State of Compassion report and infographic.

About YouCaring

YouCaring, currently the home of the largest crowdfunding campaign in history, JJ Watt's Houston Relief Fund, has been the trusted leader in free online crowdfunding since 2011.  With a focus on Compassionate Crowdfunding™, YouCaring believes no one should have to face hardship alone. Our users have raised over $900 million in support of personal, medical, and charitable causes. Unlike other crowdfunding sites, YouCaring does not charge fundraisers a fee and relies on voluntary contributions from donors to fund operations. As a Certified B Corporation®, YouCaring is committed to consumer advocacy and advancing social good.

Press Contact:
Camelia Gendreau
[email protected]
415 686 2120

SOURCE YouCaring

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