Over the last couple of years I have donated to 2 crowd-funding appeals. Both were folks that I (somewhat) knew and both were for dire, life-altering reasons.
Lately, these types of "give me $$" appeals seem to be multiplying like crazy. Folks are asking for money for any and everything. I saw one on Facebook recently that was asking strangers to pay her entire way through nursing school
I don't know why this bothers me. Maybe it's the unspoken assumption that if I've worked my way into a position in life where I might have a few bucks to spare, I'd be happy to part with that money to help someone else not have to work as hard as I did. Obviously, I don't have to pay any attention to the appeals if I don't want to. It just seems so......nervy, I guess. As in, it takes a lot of.
To me it's the same thing as begging. It's more palatable to most people to say "crowd funding", but at the core it's the same as the person on the steet with a sign. The difference is the medium. Computer vs sign.
Computers allow you to maintain your dignity while holding your hand out. You don't have to look the donor in the eye while you beg.
You have to give points to the person on the corner who's standing in the elements, and looks you in the eye.
To me it's the same thing as begging. It's more palatable to most people to say "crowd funding", but at the core it's the same as the person on the steet with a sign. The difference is the medium. Computer vs sign.
Computers allow you to maintain your dignity while holding your hand out. You don't have to look the donor in the eye while you beg.
You have to give points to the person on the corner who's standing in the elements, and looks you in the eye.
meh. i do crowd-funding online for music projects, and i also busk on the streets. i don't beg - i perform, and if people enjoy what i'm playing they can show their appreciation with a few dollars in my violin case or online. :) if they don't like my playing, or are on a budget, or don't value art in general, or are having a bad day or running late, or violin music reminds them of their ex, or whatever - they can just keep going. it's not that big of a deal.
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
I don't think a lot of posters here have gone through nursing school recently.
I tried to get welfare. I was told as a full-time student I didn't qualify. (I should add I'm in my 30's and independent so it's not like I'm some kid living with my parents) Government loans don't cover the full cost of tuition, books, lab fees, uniforms, etc. Private loans require a co-signer when you're not working full-time, and I don't really have anyone to co-sign. I ended up racking up my credit cards.
Taking a semester off is a huge risk. There's no guarantee they'll take you back.
The poster to whom my comment was directed did not say that she did not qualify for welfare, or that she was denied welfare. She said that she did not WANT to go on welfare, so she is asking for handouts via GoFundMe.
Other than the catastrophic fund raisers, house burning down, family member with cancer etc. I go crazy at the sense of entitlement inn today's culture. I have a former high school classmate who won the national karaoke championships and is going to Sweden to compete in the world champions.
Great accomplishment, but she posted on gofundme to raise money so her bf could go to. No one donated and she can't figure out why and is upset about it
Her and her two sons are on medi-cal, her only job is a kj. Im not contributing to someone who lives in the clouds. Pay your dues like the rest of us.
I have no school aged children. I buy band candy, school pizza dough kits, and cookie dough. Often I don't take the product. I buy GS cookies ( I do take the product). I donate to Wounded Warriors, local food banks, Goodwill, and some medical missions. I try to buy locally from independent farms, shops and craftsmen for wines, honey, veggies, pickles, jewelry, gifts, etc. I donate clothing to church drives, movies and books to the patient library on the floor.
I do not donate and will not donate to crowd funding or political groups. The money rarely goes to a good end.
Interesting topic. I gotta say I'm a little torn on the idea of crowd funding an education. On one hand, I worked my behind off to get through school. I cut a lot of non-essential expenses, worked more than I wanted to and took out student loans. It wasn't easy but I did it.
But that was then, this is now. School is just way more expensive than it was when I was there, living expenses are way higher and wages are stagnant. Grants and student loans are not as readily available and when a student can get them the interest rates and repayment terms can be near crippling when it comes time to pay them back. So I guess my opinion is; if you feel the need to crowd fund some of your education and you are actually successful with it, good for you.
If someone is crowd funding for school, rather than applying for aide, I would hope that they cut out non essentials such as cable tv, eating out, and extra cell phones at least.
The problem is, we have no idea just how the recipient is living which is why, unless it's a registered charity, I would not donate.
Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
If someone is crowd funding for school, rather than applying for aide, I would hope that they cut out non essentials such as cable tv, eating out, and extra cell phones at least.
The problem is, we have no idea just how the recipient is living which is why, unless it's a registered charity, I would not donate.
And don't claim it's a charitable /tax deductible donation when in fact it is not!!!
If you don't want loans..fine. But make cuts where you can. Make an effort.
Maybe I should crowd fund my student loans... "Please contribute because I really think others should contribute since I worked hard!!!" Nah, ill take responsibility, since I'm the one that signed the loan.
You know, no one is forced to donate to these campaigns, and everyone is free to ignore them. The way I see it, you can ask, and if people who have the money want to give it, then great. Everyone's happy.
I've considered starting one because, while my employer will help me with tuition cost, going to school will present some child care challenges for me. If I started a GoFundMe to ask for help with that, and people who have extra money decide they'd like to give it to me, how does that affect you? What gives you the right to complain about my private transactions with people who aren't you? Again, no force and no wallet raids, so what's the problem?
The feeling that I get from this thread is the judgment that talking about money is bad and asking for it puts you on the "worst people in the world" list.
You'd think the people asking for money were kicking old ladies or something, judging by the level of censure.
imintrouble, BSN, RN
2,406 Posts
To me it's the same thing as begging. It's more palatable to most people to say "crowd funding", but at the core it's the same as the person on the steet with a sign. The difference is the medium. Computer vs sign.
Computers allow you to maintain your dignity while holding your hand out. You don't have to look the donor in the eye while you beg.
You have to give points to the person on the corner who's standing in the elements, and looks you in the eye.