You can close a GoFundMe at any time, whether the campaign is still active or has reached its goal
Closing a GoFundMe campaign is straightforward: log into your account, find the campaign, and select the option to close it. Once closed, the campaign stops accepting donations, but you keep any money already raised. The process takes a few minutes and doesn't require you to contact GoFundMe support unless something unusual happened with your account.
The reason you're closing matters slightly — whether you've reached your goal, changed your mind, or no longer need the funds — but the mechanics are the same. You'll need access to the email address and password associated with your campaign, and you should know whether you want to withdraw the money when ready or leave it in your GoFundMe account for later.
Key Takeaways
- Log into your GoFundMe account, navigate to your campaign, and click the close or end campaign button in the campaign settings.
- Closing a campaign stops new donations but does not refund money already received; you keep all funds raised.
- You can withdraw money to your bank account after closing, or leave it in your GoFundMe wallet to transfer later.
- If your campaign was for a medical emergency or disaster that has passed, closing it prevents accidental donations after the need is gone.
- Closed campaigns remain visible on your profile and in search results, but they clearly show as closed and accept no new donations.
Steps to close your campaign from your account
Start by going to GoFundMe.com and signing in with the email and password you used to create the campaign. Once logged in, look for "My Campaigns" or a similar section in your account menu — this shows all campaigns you've started. Click on the campaign you want to close.
Inside the campaign page, look for a settings icon or menu (often three dots or a gear icon) near the top or in a sidebar. Select "Campaign Settings" or "Manage Campaign." Scroll down until you see an option labeled "Close Campaign," "End Campaign," or "Stop Accepting Donations." Click that button. GoFundMe will ask you to confirm — this is your final note to change your mind before the campaign closes. Once you confirm, the campaign is closed when ready.
After closing, the campaign page will display a message saying the campaign is no longer accepting donations. People who visit the page will see this status, but the campaign remains on your profile and in GoFundMe's search results. You can reopen a closed campaign if you change your mind, though GoFundMe may have time limits on this depending on how long it has been closed.
What happens to money already donated
All money donated before you close the campaign stays yours. GoFundMe does not refund donations when you close a campaign, and donors cannot request refunds straightforward because the campaign is closed — they would have to contact GoFundMe separately with a specific reason (fraud, duplicate campaign, or similar). This is rare and requires GoFundMe to investigate.
After closing, you have two options: withdraw the money to your bank account, or leave it in your GoFundMe account. If you withdraw, the money typically arrives within 1 to 3 business days, depending on your bank. GoFundMe charges a processing fee for withdrawals (usually around 2% plus payment processing fees), which is deducted from the amount you receive. If you leave the money in your GoFundMe wallet, you can transfer it later without additional fees, or use it to start a new campaign.
When to close a campaign before reaching your goal
You might close a campaign before hitting your fundraising target for several reasons: the emergency has passed, you found another source of funding, or circumstances changed. Closing early is perfectly acceptable and does not violate GoFundMe's terms. You keep whatever was raised, even if it's far below your stated goal.
If you're closing because the when ready need is gone — a medical procedure was covered by insurance, a family member found housing, or a disaster relief situation stabilized — it's considerate to post an update on the campaign explaining why you're closing. This prevents people from discovering the closed campaign later and wondering what happened. You don't have to do this, but it reduces confusion and shows respect for people who donated or considered donating.
Closing a campaign after reaching your goal
Once your campaign reaches its goal, you can close it when ready or leave it open to accept additional donations. Many people close campaigns after reaching the goal to signal that the need has been met. This is especially common for time-sensitive campaigns like medical bills or emergency repairs.
Leaving a campaign open after reaching the goal is also valid — some people use this to raise extra funds for related needs or to build a buffer. GoFundMe allows this, and donors can see your original goal and how much you've exceeded it. If you decide to leave it open, consider posting an update explaining what the additional funds will be used for, so donors understand the purpose.
Reopening a closed campaign
If you close a campaign and later decide you need to reopen it, you can do so through your account settings. Go to "My Campaigns," find the closed campaign, and look for a "Reopen Campaign" or "Restart Campaign" option. GoFundMe typically allows you to reopen campaigns, though there may be restrictions if the campaign has been closed for an extended period or if it violated GoFundMe's policies.
When you reopen, the campaign returns to active status and begins accepting donations again. Your previous donation history and updates remain visible. However, reopening a campaign that was closed for a long time may look unusual to potential donors, so consider posting a clear update explaining why you're reopening and what the current need is.
Withdrawing your funds after closing
To withdraw money after closing your campaign, log into your GoFundMe account and look for your wallet or funds section. You should see the total amount raised. Select "Withdraw" or "Transfer to Bank Account." GoFundMe will ask you to confirm the bank account where you want the money sent — this should be the same account linked to your GoFundMe profile, or you may need to add a new one.
Enter the amount you want to withdraw (you can withdraw all of it or a partial amount) and confirm. The money will be processed and should arrive in your bank account within 1 to 3 business days. GoFundMe's processing fee is deducted from the amount you receive, so if you raised $1,000 and the fee is 2%, you'll receive approximately $980. Check your bank account and GoFundMe account to confirm the transfer went through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can donors get refunds if I close my campaign?
No, closing a campaign does not automatically refund donations. Donors would have to contact GoFundMe separately and request a refund with a specific reason — such as fraud or a duplicate campaign. GoFundMe investigates these requests, but straightforward closing a campaign is not grounds for a refund. You keep the money raised.
What if I close my campaign by accident?
You can reopen it through your account settings. Go to "My Campaigns," find the closed campaign, and select "Reopen Campaign." The campaign will return to active status, and your donation history and updates will still be there. If you cannot find the reopen option, contact GoFundMe support through their help center.
Do closed campaigns still show up in search results?
Yes, closed campaigns remain visible on your profile and in GoFundMe search results, but they clearly display as closed and do not accept new donations. People can still view the campaign page, see how much was raised, and read your updates — they just cannot donate.
How long does it take to withdraw money after closing?
Withdrawals typically take 1 to 3 business days to appear in your bank account, depending on your bank's processing speed. GoFundMe processes the transfer when ready, but the actual deposit depends on your financial institution. You can check the status in your GoFundMe account under transaction history.
Can I close a campaign if it's still receiving donations?
Yes, you can close a campaign at any time, even if donations are still coming in. Once you close it, no new donations will be accepted, but all money received before closing is yours to keep. This is useful if you've reached your goal or the need has been met and you want to stop accepting funds.