Facebook Now Allows You to Create FundraisersFacebook的策略似乎成为一个社会计划tform with less emphasis on simply keeping up with friends and family.

ByLesya Liu

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Facebook

In an attempt to become a one-stop-shop for literally everything you do online, Facebook waged a war on GoFundMe, which claims to be "the #1 do-it-yourself fundraising website to raise money online." The former network already dabbled into fundraising in 2016, when it enabled users "to raise money formore than 750,000 nonprofitsthrough fundraisers, and donate buttons in their live broadcasts and posts."

In the coming weeks, the feature will be rolled out to all verified Business Pages in the United States. Live broadcast viewers will be able to donate right as they're watching videos or afterwards, once those broadcasts are saved to the Page.

According to The Verge, the company is not keeping any part of the funds raised, yet "that doesn't mean a fundraiser's creator gets to keep all of the money raised." Think "payment processingfees, fundraiser vetting, and security and fraud protection."

Related:Before You Launch a Crowdfunding Campaign, Do These 6 Things

As fundraising feature is introduced, there are a few restrictions. Facebook allows individuals who reached 18 years of age to raise money for needs in six categories: education, medical, pet medical, crisis relief, personal emergencies (such as theft or an accident), funeral and loss. As the company tests and refines its latest offer, there will be a 24-hour review process. Official release also hinted at a possibility of adding more categories and omitting the review process later down the road.

The latter might be a questionable decision, as similar personal fundraiser platforms, such as mentioned GoFundMe, areoften abusedwith less-than-critical needs.

At this point, it's interesting to see the dynamic that plays out in the latest moves by the social media giant. First, Facebook developed the ability topost and apply for jobs, next was the feature tocontact your government officialsand see election reminders, and now, you can raise funds for personal reasons. All without leaving Facebook.

Related:7 Lessons They Don't Teach You In Crowdfunding School

It now seems that the company is moving towards a societal platform and away from a social network to keep up with friends and ex-classmates. In times of "minimum viable products" and "niche propositions," Facebook keeps adding more and more seemingly-unrelated features. Plus, Zuckerberg keeps insisting that his brain child is amedia company, not a social network.

Is Facebook getting too "big," with its countless propositions, for its own good? Is this a move to truly differentiate Facebook from other networks that are built solely for the purposes of chatting and posting images? Is the whole list of abilities beyond posting selfies makes it truly "social?"

If you think about it, with the moods that currently sweep up the nation, being able to broadcast events live with your smartphone in an instant, contacting your government representatives, and being able to raise or donate money to causes is giving the rise to a completely new level of social journalism and activism. The level, we've never seen in human history. Now, anyone can become an overnight success, or lose popularity and public love with a single reckless post.

Related:Women Raise More Money With Crowdfunding, Research Shows

Mark Zuckerberg once said, that "By giving people the power to share, we're making the world more transparent." And he puts his own company, Facebook, on the forefront of such movement.

Wavy Line
Lesya Liu

Social Media Strategist at The Social Media Current

Lesya Liuhelps entrepreneurs create a meaningful and profitable Instagram presence that feels right for their creative businesses. Born and raised in Ukraine, she is a social media strategist and a photographer. Her passion lies in combining art and marketing to create compelling storytelling, both visually and textually. Most days she roams the Interwebs, looking for fresh, inspirational ideas or testing things out on her own social channels.

Editor's Pick

Related Topics

Money & Finance

Want to Become a Millionaire? Follow Warren Buffett's 4 Rules.

企业家是不能过度指狗万官方望太多a company exit for their eventual 'win.' Do this instead.

Business Solutions

Learn to Program an AI Chatbot for Your Business in This $30 Course

Get back-to-school savings on this AI coding course.

Business Ideas

55 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2023

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2023.

Data & Recovery

Get 1TB of Cloud Storage for Life for $119.97 With This Back-to-School Sale

This 1TB Cloud Storage Solution Is Only $119.97 for Back to School

Business News

Netflix is Hiring an AI-Focused Role—and the Starting Salary is up to $900,000

The streaming giant is looking for a leader in its machine learning department.

Leadership

This Common Leadership Habit Will Harm Your Credibility. Are You Guilty of It?

As leaders, we're always looking for ways to build credibility among peers and employees. But this easy-to-make mistake can ruin it in an instant.