Attorney General Formella Demands GoFundMe Prove Removal of All Plagiarized Web Pages Using Charities’ Information

Concord, NH - Attorney General John M. Formella announces that the New Hampshire Department of Justice's Charitable Trusts Unit has joined a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general and charitable regulators in sending a letter to GoFundMe, after reports that GoFundMe plagiarized donation web pages for charities nationwide without their prior knowledge or consent. In the letter, the coalition shares their concerns about GoFundMe's misconduct and call for immediate remedial measures, including providing proof that GoFundMe has removed all unauthorized donation web pages, in the next 14 days.

"New Hampshire charities and donors deserve transparency and accuracy in charitable solicitations," said Attorney General Formella. "Our Charitable Trusts Unit is responsible for ensuring that organizations soliciting donations in this State comply with New Hampshire law. We are seeking clear information from GoFundMe regarding the scope of these activities and the steps taken to remedy them."

GoFundMe provides an internet platform for people to fundraise and solicit donations, including for charities. GoFundMe is a for-profit Delaware corporation headquartered in California and is registered with the Registry of Charities and Fundraisers as a charitable fundraising platform. Without prior consent or knowledge of charities, GoFundMe plagiarized donation web pages for over 1.4 million charities. The donation pages contained inaccurate information about charities and GoFundMe's solicitations contained deceptive and misleading acts.

In the letter, the coalition raises potential violations by GoFundMe under numerous state charitable solicitation and consumer protection laws and demands that GoFundMe take the following actions immediately:

• Provide proof that GoFundMe has removed all unauthorized donation web pages.
• Disclose all information that affects a person's decision to donate, such as who donations were made to in lieu of the charities GoFundMe plagiarized.
• Explain how GoFundMe ensured its donation web pages did not display in internet search results above a charity's official web sites or fundraising campaigns.

The Charitable Trusts Unit of the New Hampshire Department of Justice oversees the registration and regulation of charitable organizations operating in the State. In 1943, New Hampshire became the first state to create an office dedicated to the oversight of charitable trusts and organizations. Today the mission of the Charitable Trusts Unit is to protect the public's interest in the organizations and assets committed to charitable purposes in New Hampshire through effective registration, education and enforcement.

The Unit will continue to review the company's response and take any action deemed appropriate under New Hampshire law. This matter remains under review.