use rules:

1. Structure and style of presentation News texts should be organized according to the “inverted pyramid” principle: Lead: a brief introductory paragraph (1-2 sentences, 25-30 words) that reveals the most important 3-4 elements of the 5 W’s (What? Where? Who? When? Why? and How?). Nut Graf: the second paragraph, explaining the essence of the material and justifying its relevance. Main part: adds details in descending order of importance, allowing the text to be easily “shortened” from the end. At the same time: Active constructions and strong verbs are used; passive voice is best avoided. The language is concise and understandable, without unnecessary adjectives and bureaucratic language. Paragraphs are short (1-3 sentences) for better readability.
2. Headline and visual presentation Headline: short (up to 100 characters), concise, with a strong verb, without excessive articles and tense forms. Subheadings and bullet points: help structure the text and make it easier to scan when reading online.

The result is displayed as an article ready for publication.

Based on my research, there isn’t any single major news story specifically about GoFundMe that occurred on September 17, 2025. Instead, I found several ongoing developments and smaller stories involving the platform. Let me write this as a news article covering the key developments from that date.

GoFundMe Faces Multiple Controversies as Platform Navigates Policy Challenges

GoFundMe continues facing scrutiny over discriminatory fundraising restrictions while multiple local campaigns emerge amid ongoing platform policy debates on September 17, 2025.

The crowdfunding giant remains embroiled in controversy over its handling of Gaza-related fundraisers, with critics accusing the platform of blocking millions in humanitarian aid while allowing similar campaigns for other causes to proceed without equivalent scrutiny.

Platform Policy Under Fire

Civil society organizations have intensified criticism of GoFundMe’s allegedly discriminatory practices toward Palestinian fundraising efforts. The platform has been accused of implementing intrusive review processes that disproportionately affect Gaza-related campaigns compared to those supporting other conflicts or causes.

Multiple mutual aid organizations report having hundreds of thousands of dollars refunded to donors after their Gaza relief campaigns were shut down following lengthy verification processes. The Sameer Project alone had over $250,000 in donations refunded in recent months despite providing detailed documentation and receipts for their humanitarian work.

Local Campaigns Gain Traction

While policy controversies persist, several local fundraising efforts launched on September 17 demonstrate the platform’s continued use for community support. A GoFundMe campaign for Phi Kappa Psi House at Minnesota State University Mankato raised over $15,000 following a Monday fire that caused more than $50,000 in damages.

In Nova Scotia, multiple fundraisers emerged to support victims of a devastating apartment fire in Middle Sackville that displaced 180 residents from 64 units. The campaigns aim to help families who lost everything in the three-alarm blaze, including those without insurance coverage.

Platform Updates Continue

GoFundMe has maintained its regular platform updates throughout September, with the most recent release scheduled for September 16, 2025. The updates include enhancements to payment processing and reporting features for nonprofit users.

The company’s transition from Classy to GoFundMe Pro continues as planned, with updated terms of service taking effect on September 9, 2025. The rebranding represents the platform’s effort to consolidate its nonprofit fundraising services under a unified brand.