Can I give zakat to a GoFundMe campaign?

When it counts as zakat

Zakat must reach someone in one of the eight eligible groups. Many campaigns fit:

• Debtors: medical bills, legal fees or debts taken for basic needs.
• The poor and needy: rent arrears, funeral costs, loss of income.
• Stranded travelers: someone stuck abroad without funds.

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ told Qabisa, a man who had taken on a debt, to wait until charity arrived so it could be given to him (Sahih Muslim 1044). In the same hadith, he named people for whom asking is allowed: someone burdened with debt, someone hit by a disaster that destroyed their property, and someone struck by poverty. See Who can receive zakat?

Red flags

• No clear information about who the money goes to.
• A general cause (a film, a business launch) rather than a person in need.
• The organizer isn't related to the beneficiary and doesn't explain the link.
• The recipient isn't Muslim (most scholars say zakat goes to Muslims; give sadaqah instead).

Fees and surplus

Platforms and payment processors may take a small cut, and campaigns sometimes raise more than they need. If the goal is already met, your zakat may no longer be meeting a need, so look for another recipient. Some Muslim crowdfunding platforms let campaigns mark themselves as "zakat-eligible" and check them, which helps. See How do I choose a trustworthy charity for my zakat?

Sadaqah instead

Many good campaigns, like community projects, mosque appeals or causes for non-Muslims, aren't zakat-eligible but are excellent for sadaqah. Keep your zakat for clear cases and give generously from sadaqah elsewhere. See What is the difference between zakat and sadaqah?