For Fundraisers
- A Compelling Story & Photo: A clear, high-quality photo of the patient or beneficiary, along with a description explaining the medical condition and what the raised funds will cover. Sharing your honest journey helps donors connect with your cause.
- US Residency: The campaign organizer must be at least 18 years old and a resident of the United States.
- Secure Payout Information: A US bank account or debit card where your funds can be deposited. To ensure industry-leading security, we partner with Stripe to verify identity and route payouts. During onboarding, Stripe will securely request basic verification details (such as the last 4 digits of your SSN) to comply with banking regulations. Our platform never sees or stores this private data.
- Go to your User Dashboard and click "Manage Stripe Account"
- You will be securely redirected to Stripe to verify your identity and link your bank account.
- Once setup is complete, funds transfer automatically on a rolling basis (typically 2-5 business days). Please note: Your very first withdrawal is subject to a standard 7-to-14-day security holding period by the banking network.
- No Penalties: There are no "all-or-nothing" requirements. If your goal is $10,000 and you raise $2,000, you still keep the $2,000 (minus standard fees).
- Ongoing Access: You do not have to wait for the campaign to end or for the goal to be met to begin withdrawing your funds.
- Flexible Deadlines: You can keep your fundraiser open as long as you need, or close it whenever you feel your needs have been met.
Yes, you can raise funds on behalf of another individual or organization. However, please note that for security, compliance, and tax reporting purposes, the bank account connected to the fundraiser must belong to the individual legally responsible for managing the funds. As the organizer, you are solely responsible for ensuring that all raised funds are accurately routed and delivered to the intended recipient.
While funds raised for personal medical expenses are generally considered "nontaxable gifts" by the IRS, they may be counted as countable assets by agencies that manage means-tested benefits like Medicaid, SSI (Supplemental Security Income), or SNAP.
Because every state and caseworker handles crowdfunding differently, The Wellfund does not provide legal, financial, or tax advice. We strongly recommend consulting with a benefits counselor, caseworker, or legal professional before withdrawing funds to ensure your coverage remains protected.
For Donors
Donations to personal medical campaigns are generally considered "personal gifts" by the IRS and are not tax-deductible.
Yes. If you donated the wrong amount, please contact us immediately using the button below. If the funds have not yet been withdrawn by the organizer, we can process a full refund. This is subject to processing time by Stripe.
When you make a donation, your card will be charged the exact amount you choose to give. However, a transaction fee in the amount of 2.9% + 0.30 is automatically deducted from the total before the funds reach the recipient.
General & Site
Yes. We use industry-standard SSL encryption. All payments are processed by Stripe, a PCI Service Provider Level 1 (the highest grade of payment security).
Most people are eligible to start a campaign immediately! To receive funds, you simply need to:
1. Be 18+ years old to manage a fundraiser or receive payouts on your own.
2. Be a United States citizen or legal resident.