betterplace.me is now GoodCrowd.org, the social crowdfunding platform. GoodCrowd.org is the social alternative to commercial platforms such as GoFundMe and the right platform for private individuals as well as activist projects and social initiatives, for example from companies. As part of the non-profit gut.org, we are proud to continue to pursue a clear set of values: 100% social – 0% profit interest. Campaigns that promote violence and discrimination have no place on our platform. We are a crowdfunding platform for lived solidarity, social justice and support in emergencies.
Why GoodCrowd.org?
In our previous name, the focus was on the ‘me’, the ‘I’. But a look at the most successful crowdfunding campaigns in recent years shows that almost three out of four are launched in the name of solidarity by relatives, colleagues, neighbours, friends or acquaintances.
Regardless of who starts the campaign, the testimonials from our platform show that what makes it special is the experience of incredible solidarity, community and cohesion. Even if people don't know each other personally, they identify with the causes of the fundraising campaigns and donate. They don't leave others alone in the hardest moments of illness, disasters, injustice or violence.
In this way, crowdfunding on GoodCrowd.org creates solidarity in action. The ‘many’, the ‘we’ and the ‘crowd’ are at the centre – and not the ‘me’.
In this way, crowdfunding on GoodCrowd.org creates solidarity in action. The ‘many’, the ‘we’ and the ‘crowd’ are at the centre – and not the ‘me’.
GoodCrowd.org: The value-based crowdfunding platform
We believe that solidarity is deeply human and holds our society together – in our everyday interactions, in political action and in emergencies. We can support each other in our most difficult moments. This is what makes us human: compassion, solidarity and community.
We strive for a society that enables a good life for all and cares for all equally. Campaigns on our platform make visible where social structures fail people – be it medical expenses, financial insecurity, violence or structural marginalisation. As long as it is necessary, we as a platform help to ensure that people who need support receive it – and enable others to show active solidarity.
GoodCrowd.org is a crowdfunding platform with clear values. We stand for solidarity and social justice – and against violence, human rights violations, growing inequality and discrimination.
The crowdfunding campaigns on our platform and where funds go have a strong influence on the society in which we live and the direction in which it develops. That is why we do not want any campaigns on our platform that promote violence or discrimination, or that otherwise contradict our values. In 2022, for example, we stopped a crowdfunding campaign that was intended to finance the legal costs of a police officer who had been convicted of fatal police violence.
There will be no such campaigns on GoodCrowd.org:
- Last year, a participant at the Potsdam Meeting, which Correctiv reported on, managed to refinance his legal costs for lawsuits against the editorial team and other media with more than €195,000 in crowdfunding donations.
- During Donald Trump's first term in office, a US veteran collected more than $25 million on GoFundMe to finance the construction of a wall with Mexico – Trump's major right-wing populist project.
- In 2023, a right-wing extremist TV commentator raised over €1.6 million in France for the family of a police officer who shot and killed a teenager during a traffic stop in Nanterre. According to the crowdfunding campaign, the police officer was allegedly doing his job and now had to pay a high price for it. The campaign further fuelled polarised discourse.
Commercial platforms have a clear main interest: to make profit. They allow campaigns that support polarising right-wing positions, thereby raising millions in donations. As a social crowdfunding platform, GoodCrowd.org differs from these platforms and deliberately does not work on a profit basis.
Why the renaming?
On the one hand, to make the difference between betterplace.me and its sister platform betterplace.org clearer to our users. betterplace.org is exclusively for non-profit organisations. That is why betterplace.me was set up – as an alternative for private individuals, companies and initiatives that are not (yet) non-profit organisations and want to collect donations for social causes.
On the other hand, because betterplace.me has grown steadily since 2019. In September 2024, the former side project of betterplace.org became the independent Good Crowd GmbH. The name is new, but the values, the team and the office in Berlin-Kreuzberg remain the same.
In summary: What makes GoodCrowd.org different?
Value-based social crowdfunding
We don't want every campaign on our platform. GoodCrowd.org has clear principles and places a high value on content that matches our values: solidarity and social justice.
We don't want every campaign on our platform. GoodCrowd.org has clear principles and places a high value on content that matches our values: solidarity and social justice.
Focus on impact – not profit
We only charge fees to cover the costs of payment processing and we finance ourselves exclusively through voluntary contributions. And we do that as part of the non-profit gut.org not for profit, but solely to cover our costs and further develop the platform for the social purpose.
We only charge fees to cover the costs of payment processing and we finance ourselves exclusively through voluntary contributions. And we do that as part of the non-profit gut.org not for profit, but solely to cover our costs and further develop the platform for the social purpose.
Crowdfunding know-how for everyone
Not everyone is an expert in marketing or fundraising, or has a wide reach on social media. With years of experience, we are at your side and help everyone to make their crowdfunding successful: by email, with our crowdfunding blog, and with personal advice.
Not everyone is an expert in marketing or fundraising, or has a wide reach on social media. With years of experience, we are at your side and help everyone to make their crowdfunding successful: by email, with our crowdfunding blog, and with personal advice.
Security and data protection
As a platform with an office in Berlin, we store and process your data in accordance with German law and strict data protection regulations.
As a platform with an office in Berlin, we store and process your data in accordance with German law and strict data protection regulations.
German-speaking support
With us, the content is not translated, but tailored to the German-speaking market. In addition, our German-speaking support team is available to answer your questions and provide assistance by email and phone – and of course English is also an option 😉.
With us, the content is not translated, but tailored to the German-speaking market. In addition, our German-speaking support team is available to answer your questions and provide assistance by email and phone – and of course English is also an option 😉.
What are people raising funds for on GoodCrowd.org?
With more than 45 million euros in donations collected, we have proven that a solidary crowd can make a huge difference. Here are some examples:
- Medical costs: Support with health costs due to cancer, long Covid, lipoedema, mastectomy, endometriosis, spinal muscular atrophy (SMA)
- Accident: When high costs for mental and physical rehabilitation therapies are incurred after a serious accident
- Loss of income: When the livelihood of employees or the self-employed is threatened by caring for sick relatives, their own illness or an accident
- Emergency assistance: Help in crisis situations such as floods, earthquakes, fires, pandemics or war
- Activism: Initiatives against racism, homophobia or right-wing violence
- Accessibility: Conversion projects for mobility and inclusion
- Social court costs: Legal assistance, for example in asylum proceedings or in actions against dismissal
- Last wishes: Campaigns for people in their final stages of life
- Bereavement: From funeral costs to support for the bereaved
- Violence: From repairing glasses to the cost of psychotherapy
Our platform brings people together to help each other – so that no one is left alone in difficult moments. Become part of the GoodCrowd and make a difference!
The most frequently asked questions and answers about the renaming of betterplace.me to GoodCrowd.org
Why has the crowdfunding platform betterplace.me changed its name to GoodCrowd.org?
The renaming creates more clarity: betterplace.org is exclusively for non-profit organisations, while betterplace.me – now GoodCrowd.org – is a platform for private individuals, non-profit initiatives and companies with social concerns. Since September 2024, we have been an independent organisation – with a new name but the same values, the same team and the same office in Berlin.
The renaming creates more clarity: betterplace.org is exclusively for non-profit organisations, while betterplace.me – now GoodCrowd.org – is a platform for private individuals, non-profit initiatives and companies with social concerns. Since September 2024, we have been an independent organisation – with a new name but the same values, the same team and the same office in Berlin.
Why did we choose the name GoodCrowd.org?
So far, the focus has been on the ‘me’ – but crowdfunding is first and foremost a community experience. Around 75% of campaigns are started by friends, relatives, colleagues or neighbours. Our name reflects this solidarity: it's about the ‘we’, about the crowd that helps together.
So far, the focus has been on the ‘me’ – but crowdfunding is first and foremost a community experience. Around 75% of campaigns are started by friends, relatives, colleagues or neighbours. Our name reflects this solidarity: it's about the ‘we’, about the crowd that helps together.
What's new, what's staying the same?
What is new is our name and our independence as Good Crowd GmbH since September 2024. What remains are our values, our team and our location in Berlin-Kreuzberg. We remain a social crowdfunding platform with a clear value-based stance: for active solidarity, social justice and impact – not for profit.
Is GoodCrowd.org profit-oriented?
No. As part of the non-profit organisation gut.org, we do not pursue any profit interest. Our service fees only cover payment processing, and we finance ourselves through voluntary contributions. Our goal is social impact, not profit.
What is a social crowdfunding platform?
A platform that is guided by values such as solidarity and social justice as well as impact and not profit. We enable people in difficult situations to receive support and ensure that campaigns comply with our social justice principles. So that no one is left alone in difficult moments.
What values does GoodCrowd.org stand for?
We stand for active solidarity, social justice and community. Campaigns that promote discrimination or violence have no place with us. We believe that crowdfunding should have a positive social impact.
We stand for active solidarity, social justice and community. Campaigns that promote discrimination or violence have no place with us. We believe that crowdfunding should have a positive social impact.
What makes GoodCrowd.org different from other crowdfunding platforms?
Our clear value orientation: We do not allow campaigns that violate social justice or human rights. In addition, we are not profit-oriented, offer personal support as well as crowdfunding know-how and adhere to strict data protection guidelines. Find out more in our comparison of crowdfunding platforms.
What is money raised for on GoodCrowd.org?
People use our platform to raise funds for important social causes. These include medical costs, loss of income, solidarity campaigns, activism, disability access, social legal costs, last wishes, bereavements and support after violence. The GoodCrowd community helps where it is needed.
People use our platform to raise funds for important social causes. These include medical costs, loss of income, solidarity campaigns, activism, disability access, social legal costs, last wishes, bereavements and support after violence. The GoodCrowd community helps where it is needed.
