Understanding Hawaii’s new fundraising law: How to keep your nonprofit active on GoFundMe

If your nonprofit is based in Hawaii or if you receive donations from supporters in Hawaii, there’s an important new law you need to know about. There’s also a simple step you can take to keep your organization active on GoFundMe. We’re here to help you understand what’s changing, why it matters, and what to do before July 1, 2026.

What is the new Hawaii law?

Starting July 1, 2026, Hawaii’s Act 205 (as amended by Act 108 and codified at HRS §467B-2.3H) adds new requirements for online charitable fundraising platforms like GoFundMe. The key update for nonprofits is this:

The law requires written consent Charitable fundraising platforms must get written permission from a nonprofit organization before enabling donations through their platform. This includes allowing users to fundraise for a nonprofit. That consent must come from an authorized representative of the organization.

In plain terms: If your nonprofit is based in Hawaii, or if you receive support from Hawaii-based donors or organizers, GoFundMe needs an authorized representative from your organization to sign a consent form before we can allow fundraising for your nonprofit on our platform. GoFundMe maintains a nonprofit directory listing of all nonprofits that supporters can select from. We also encourage nonprofit organizations to claim a more personalized presence which we call ‘Nonprofit Pages.‘ Regardless of which level a nonprofit chooses to participate in, consent must be given before July 1 to remain active. GoFundMe is committed to helping Hawaii nonprofits navigate this change smoothly.

What does this mean for your organization?

If you are a Hawaii-based organization and have a claimed Nonprofit Page on GoFundMe: 

We’ll reach out directly with a brief consent form. An authorized representative of your organization, such as an officer, director, or trustee, will need to sign this consent form to confirm your consent for GoFundMe to continue enabling donations to your nonprofit after July 1, 2026.

If you are a Hawaii-based organization and  your organization appears in GoFundMe’s nonprofit directory:

GoFundMe’s nonprofit directory is how supporters can find and support your organization. If you want your organization listed in GoFundMe’s nonprofit directory, you will need to submit a signed consent form.

If you are a Hawaii-based organization and GoFundMe Pro customer:

This requirement applies if you plan to fundraise on GoFundMe or let people fundraise on your behalf, and we’ll help make the process as seamless as possible. Our team will be in touch with specific guidance. 

If you are not a Hawaii-based organization but want to continue receiving donations from Hawaii donors:
If you are not based in Hawaii, your ability to continue fundraising on GoFundMe will largely remain uninterrupted. However, after July 1, 2026, you will not be able to receive donations from Hawaii-based donors or allow Hawaii-based supporters to fundraise on your behalf until you complete the consent form below. Once you complete the consent process, your ability to receive donations from Hawaii-based donors will be restored. 

What you need to do

Action required before July 1, 2026 Complete and sign GoFundMe’s consent form. It must be submitted by an authorized representative of your nonprofit, such as an officer, director, trustee, or other duly authorized representative. This is the only step required to keep your organization active on the platform.

Here’s the process:

1. Have an authorized representative of your organization complete and sign the form. This person must have the authority to act on behalf of your organization.
2. Submit the form. Once received, we’ll record your consent and your organization will remain present on GoFundMe.

Click here to access the consent form

What happens if my organization doesn’t submit the consent form

We’re committed to making this process as easy as possible. However, to comply with Hawaii law, any Hawaii-based nonprofit that does not provide written consent will no longer be able to receive donations through GoFundMe. This means supporters will no longer be able to find your organization, start fundraisers on your behalf, or donate to your nonprofit through the GoFundMe platform. To avoid any interruption, we recommend submitting your consent form as soon as possible.

The good news: even if your organization is removed from the platform, this is fully reversible. If your organization’s presence is deactivated due to missing consent, you can submit the form at any time, and we’ll restore your presence on the platform promptly.

We strongly encourage submitting consent before the deadline to avoid any interruption to your fundraising.

We’re here to help

GoFundMe has always believed in the power of community, and Hawaii’s nonprofits do extraordinary work for the communities they serve. We’re committed to making this transition as simple as possible so that your organization can continue connecting with donors and driving impact.

If you have any questions about the consent process or what this law means for your organization, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to support you every step of the way.

Ready to submit your consent? Click here to access the form