Go Fund Me for College Fund?

[Anastasi]

I think the definition of "begging' is questionable. If you prefer to judge people based on what they do to fund raise for something, well, that could be construed as a character flaw too.

Some things should not be on the GFM site, I am sure. But most of the ones that I looked at are legitimate things that people, schools, kids/parents and communities have been raising money for for years. Its just a new format.

There is no questionable meaning of begging.

From the Miriam Webster dictionary:

BEG verb \'beg\

: to ask people for money or food

: to ask (someone) in a very serious and emotional way for something needed or wanted very much

: to ask for (something needed or wanted very much) in a very serious and emotional way

Asking people for money is by definition, begging.

I have to say that I think GFM accounts are one begging step below begging on the street. At least on the street, you are sacrificing some personal time to beg for the money. With a GFM account, you can continue your merry life, going to Drum Corps or Cheer or whatever want you have and hope people will click an button and hand you money.

I do choose to judge people on how they fundraise. If they put an effort behind their fundraising, such as selling over priced candy or wrapping paper, putting on a car wash, or something that takes personal effort I will judge them more favorably than somebody who just has their hand out begging for money.

 

[LBIJim]

Me either... How would a guest know how much their "plate" cost?

It's really a guessing game. A reception at the Plaza in New York is naturally going to cost more per plate than one at a local firehouse or Moose Lodge. And even at the Plaza there's a wide range of options and costs. You either ask around for other's opinions, or use your best judgment.

I've found in a lot of cases the cost of covering your plate is inversely proportional to the guest's enjoyment of the reception. Not just because of the money, but because many fancy affairs are stuffy and the more modest ones are down to earth.

We're going to a wedding this weekend at the Marriott in Brooklyn. It's a luncheon reception, no doubt to save money. Based on our relationship to the bridal couple, we'll probably give $100 each, which may or may not cover the plate. But we'd give the same amount no matter where the reception was held.

(No registry was included in the invitation, but we later found out they were registered at Bed Bath & Beyond and Crate & Barrel. DW might pick up a small trinket to go along with our cash gift.)

 

[declansdad]

Lol!



Etiquette experts say they are wrong.

Who says etiquette experts know everything about everywhere? Sorry but that is a pretty narrow viewpoint.

 

[jrmasm]

Who says etiquette experts know everything about everywhere? Sorry but that is a pretty narrow viewpoint.

Um ok. Expert? Lol!

 

[declansdad]

Um ok. Expert? Lol!

A lot of people call themselves experts, doesn't mean a thing.

 

[jrmasm]

Start with Emily Post. Unless you don't consider her and her descendents to be experts.

 

[declansdad]

Start with Emily Post. Unless you don't consider her and her descendents to be experts.

You can name anyone you want, it doesn't mean they know all the traditions in every area. All they are doing is expressing an opinion and that is just another thing everyone has.

 

[powellrj]

When I first heard of Go Fund Me it was for local bands and small film makers trying to raise money to make their music or movies. They would offer promos based on how much you gave. Examples were if you gave $25 you would get a copy of their DVD when released.

 

[usd2bmd]

I can't find it in me to donate to someone else's "Go Fund Me" account for college. I am trying to put my own daughter through school right now.

 

[luvsJack]

There is no questionable meaning of begging.

From the Miriam Webster dictionary:



Asking people for money is by definition, begging.

I have to say that I think GFM accounts are one begging step below begging on the street. At least on the street, you are sacrificing some personal time to beg for the money. With a GFM account, you can continue your merry life, going to Drum Corps or Cheer or whatever want you have and hope people will click an button and hand you money.

I do choose to judge people on how they fundraise. If they put an effort behind their fundraising, such as selling over priced candy or wrapping paper, putting on a car wash, or something that takes personal effort I will judge them more favorably than somebody who just has their hand out begging for money.

I know the dictionary definition, thanks. Not what I was talking about.

I will give you car wash but selling candy and other stuff rarely takes effort. Its usually sitting on someones desk at work or catalog in the break room. The kids can't sell candy at school anymore and unless they know their neighbors, don't need to go door to door. Besides, I buy from your kid and you buy from mine--all we are doing is trading junk. A donation would make a lot more sense.

Car washes, btw, don't make much around here. 2 universities and 4 high schools and dozens of youth groups saturate the market. Everyone does what bringa in more money since that is the objective and sometimes that is donations.

 

[Geneva St]

Nope nope nope!!
If you know her well and wanna give her a gift - fine.
But it's not other peoples job to find things - college, trips, vacations, etc.
I find go fund me pages for anything other than extreme situations - like terminal diseases- absolutely vulgar.

Agree. what happened to scholarships and grant?

 

[NewRVLady]

It's really a guessing game. A reception at the Plaza in New York is naturally going to cost more per plate than one at a local firehouse or Moose Lodge. And even at the Plaza there's a wide range of options and costs. You either ask around for other's opinions, or use your best judgment.

I've found in a lot of cases the cost of covering your plate is inversely proportional to the guest's enjoyment of the reception. Not just because of the money, but because many fancy affairs are stuffy and the more modest ones are down to earth.

We're going to a wedding this weekend at the Marriott in Brooklyn. It's a luncheon reception, no doubt to save money.

)

Wow- I think that's the 3rd time you mention that this reception was in afternoon to save money

 

[LBIJim]

Wow- I think that's the 3rd time you mention that this reception was in afternoon to save money

Second time that I recall, but I'm glad to know that you're paying attention to what I post.

 

[Goofy_Disney_Dad]

Second time that I recall, but I'm glad to know that you're paying attention to what I post.

It appears to be a hobby of sorts.

 

[DebbieB]

A friend of mine recently lost her sister. Her sister's daughter setup a Go Fund Me for airfare from Alaska to Pennsylvania. At first she asked for $3,000! I looked it up and a ticket for the next day was $898! No takers. Then she reduced it to $1,100. The last time I looked, there were no donations. But someone paid because she did come home for the funeral.

 

[goofy4tink]

I think that, in some instances, GFM accounts are okay. If, and it's a big if, they are limited to only those people they know, ok. But, if put out for everyone and their uncle to view? Nope, not so much. As I said before, my dd is doing one to raise money to buy a particular retiring professor something nice....and this was the best way to go about it, without having to have people send her checks (some that would not clear) and such. Only those that know this man are invited to contribute...although I'm sure that if some wealthy person wanted to give, she would be thrilled. They got what they were asking for fairly quickly..so can now get what they had hoped to get.
But, a general, out there for all to see, request for college tuition, or a trip, or such? Not so much.

As far as etiquette regarding registries in wedding invitations....I seem to have gotten a bunch over the past few years that had a somewhat formal (not my idea of formal, but I'm pretty old now, so formal has a different meaning) invitation. But, also included was a sheet of paper that gave options for hotels in the area, and registries if you so chose. It was actually kind of nice. I mean, if you aren't all that close to the bride or groom, and aren't sure what their likes are, having that registry is a wonderful thing. I suppose you could call a parent and see where they're registered but who wants to bother them.

And that whole 'cover your plate' thing? Don't get me started. I hate that whole idea. You get married, you plan the kind of wedding and party you want. You invite the people you want to have there with you. You plan the kind of affair you can afford. You don't plan an event based on the cost of gifts you'll receive! I don't much care if my dinner is going to cost the bride $200 or $75. They will get the same gift I want to give either way. I mean, seriously, how am I supposed to know what type of meal I'll be getting before I get to the wedding? I always send a gift beforehand...never, ever bring it with me.