What you need to do to add a bank account

To receive money from a GoFundMe campaign, you must connect a bank account to your account. GoFundMe transfers all funds to the bank account you provide—they do not send checks or hold money in a GoFundMe wallet. You add your account through your GoFundMe settings, and the process takes about five minutes if you have your routing and account numbers ready.

The bank account must be in your name or the name of the person who created the campaign. If someone else created the campaign on your behalf, they can add your account, or you can create a separate GoFundMe account and have them transfer the campaign to you. GoFundMe does not allow accounts registered to businesses or nonprofits to receive funds through the standard personal campaign process—those entities need different setup.

Key Takeaways

  • You add your bank account in GoFundMe settings under "Beneficiary" or "Payout Method," and it must match the name on your GoFundMe account.
  • GoFundMe needs your routing number and account number, which you find on a check, your bank's website, or by calling your bank.
  • Transfers to your bank account usually arrive within one to three business days after you request a payout.
  • If your bank rejects the transfer, GoFundMe will try again, but you may need to verify your account details or contact your bank to confirm they accept ACH deposits.

Finding your routing and account numbers

Your bank's routing number and your account number appear on the bottom left of any check you have. The routing number is the first set of nine digits, and your account number follows. If you do not have checks, log into your bank's website or mobile app—most banks display both numbers in the account details or settings section. Some banks label the routing number as the "ABA number" or "transit number."

You can also call your bank's customer service line and ask for your routing and account number. Have your account number or the last four digits of your debit card ready when you call. Do not use a savings account if you have a checking account available—most banks process transfers faster to checking accounts, though both work.

Steps to add your bank account in GoFundMe

Log into your GoFundMe account and go to your account settings. Look for a section labeled "Beneficiary," "Payout Method," "Bank Account," or "Withdrawal Settings"—the exact label varies depending on whether you are on mobile or desktop. Click the option to add or connect a bank account.

Enter your full legal name as it appears on your bank account, your routing number, and your account number. Double-check both numbers before you submit—a single digit wrong will cause the transfer to fail. GoFundMe will ask you to confirm the information, and then your account is connected. You do not need to verify the account with test deposits; GoFundMe connects it immediately.

When transfers arrive and what to expect

Once your bank account is connected, you can request a payout whenever funds are available. GoFundMe does not automatically send money—you initiate the transfer yourself through your account settings. When you request a payout, GoFundMe sends the money via ACH (Automated Clearing House), the same system used for direct deposit and bill pay.

ACH transfers typically arrive within one to three business days. Weekends and bank holidays do not count as business days, so a payout requested on Friday may not arrive until Tuesday. Some banks process ACH deposits faster than others; if your bank is slow, the transfer may take up to five business days. Once the money reaches your bank, it is yours—GoFundMe has no further control over it.

What happens if your bank rejects the transfer

If your bank rejects the ACH transfer, GoFundMe will attempt to resend it automatically. Common reasons for rejection include a closed account, a mismatch between the name on the account and the name you provided, or a bank that does not accept ACH deposits (rare, but some accounts have restrictions). You will receive a notification that the transfer failed.

Contact your bank first to confirm that your account is active and accepts ACH deposits. Ask them specifically whether they have any blocks on incoming ACH transfers. If your account is fine, log back into GoFundMe and verify that the routing and account numbers are correct—even a transposed digit will cause rejection. If the numbers are correct and your bank confirms the account is open, contact GoFundMe support with your bank's name and the rejection reason, and they can investigate further.

Changing or removing your bank account

You can change your bank account at any time through your GoFundMe settings. Go to the same section where you added it, and look for an option to edit or update your payout method. Remove the old account and add the new one using the same process. Any pending transfers will go to the account that was connected when you requested the payout, so if you change accounts mid-transfer, the money will still go to the old account.

If you want to remove your bank account without adding a new one, GoFundMe will not let you—you must have at least one payout method connected to your account. If you no longer want to receive funds, you can deactivate your campaign or transfer it to someone else, but you cannot simply disconnect your bank account and leave nothing in its place.

Security and what GoFundMe does with your information

GoFundMe encrypts your routing and account numbers and stores them securely. They do not share this information with donors or the public. Your bank account details are visible only to you and GoFundMe's payment processing team. When you request a payout, GoFundMe initiates the ACH transfer on your behalf, but your bank account number is never exposed to the campaign creator or anyone else involved in the fundraiser.

If your GoFundMe account is hacked, an attacker could potentially change your bank account to their own and request payouts. Protect your account by using a strong, unique password and enabling two-factor authentication if GoFundMe offers it. If you suspect unauthorized access, change your password immediately and contact GoFundMe support to review recent payout requests.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a savings account instead of a checking account?

Yes, but checking accounts are faster. Most banks process ACH transfers to checking accounts within one business day, while savings accounts may take two to three days. Both work, so use whichever account you prefer.

What if the name on my bank account does not match my GoFundMe name exactly?

Your bank account name must match your GoFundMe account name. If they differ, your bank may reject the transfer. Update your GoFundMe name to match your bank account, or contact your bank to confirm whether they accept transfers with slight variations (like a middle initial missing).

Do I have to pay GoFundMe a fee to withdraw my money?

GoFundMe does not charge a fee to transfer money to your bank account. However, if you used a credit card or debit card to donate to your own campaign, GoFundMe keeps a small percentage of that donation to cover payment processing costs. Donations made by bank transfer or check have no fee.

How long does it take for GoFundMe to connect my bank account?

Your bank account connects immediately after you enter your routing and account numbers. You can request a payout right away. GoFundMe does not require you to wait or verify the account with test deposits.

What if I entered the wrong routing or account number?

If you realize the mistake before requesting a payout, go back to your settings and correct it. If you already requested a payout with wrong numbers, contact GoFundMe support immediately—they may be able to cancel the transfer before it processes. If the transfer already went through, contact your bank to report the error and ask whether they can recover the funds.