More Canadians are asking strangers online for help paying their bills.
Driving the news: New GoFundMe data shows that over 15,000 fundraisers have been launched in Canada for “essential needs” like bills, groceries, and housing payments in the first five months of 2026. Since 2020, there’s been a 274% increase in these types of cost-of-living fundraisers.
Globally, the picture is similar. Last year, GoFundMe campaigns to help cover essential expenses climbed 20%, after quadrupling in 2024.
Why it matters: The growing use of crowdfunding to cover basic life necessities is a reflection of the growing wealth divide in Canada. The richest 20% of Canadian households now hold 65.5% of the country's net worth (around $3.5 million each, on average), while the bottom 40% have just 3.1%, averaging $82,100 per household.
What they’re saying: Despite the growing number of cost-of-living fundraisers, Canadians continue to give when they have a personal connection to the recipient. GoFundMe CEO Tim Cadogan told The Peak that the personal nature of the platform has helped buck the broader trend of declining charitable donations.
“Typically, 80–90% of donations come from someone the recipient knows, like family, friends, or acquaintances. That personal connection drives giving,” Cadogan says.
Bottom line: Even with Canadians donating a combined $1 billion on GoFundMe in the last five years, most of these emergency fundraisers don’t hit their targets.—LA
