GoFundMe has launched a centralised hub of verified fundraisers related to the Robb Elementary School shooting, during which 19 children and two teachers were killed in Uvalde, Texas on Tuesday.
Mass shootings are commonplace in the U.S., with the Robb Elementary School shooting not the only high profile, high casualty gun violence in the country within the past two weeks. Unfortunately, fundraising scams preying on such shootings are almost as ubiquitous. Typically created and run by individuals with no connection to the victims, these false fundraising campaigns claim they’re raising money to help those impacted by the shooting, but have no actual intention to pass on the funds.
As such, crowdfunding platform GoFundMe has announced it is verifying fundraisers that claim to be in benefit of the Robb Elementary School shooting victims, and compiling those found to be authentic in one location.
“Immediately following the news, GoFundMe mobilized a crisis team and began monitoring the platform for fundraisers created to help individuals and families,” GoFundMe stated in a press release. “GoFundMe has a dedicated Trust & Safety team reviewing fundraisers related to this tragedy.”
Fundraisers currently featured on GoFundMe’s hub include a Texas Elementary School Shooting Victims Fund launched by mass shooting support network VictimsFirst, as well as a fund launched by Austin FC supporters Los Verdes.
The for-profit fundraising platform further noted that it has spoken to local Texan officials concerning how it verifies fundraisers, and that it holds all donated funds until it has confirmed the money will get to the “right party.” (If this can’t be confirmed, GoFundMe stated it will refund donors.)
GoFundMe regularly creates verified fundraising hubs surrounding high profile events such as this, having previously done so for the Atlanta spa shootings last year, the Sacramento mass shooting last month, and the Buffalo supermarket shooting two weeks ago.
The Robb Elementary School shooting this week was the 27th school shooting in the U.S. so far this year.
