GoFundMe Names Ulster County Among Most Generous Communities In US

ULSTER COUNTY, NY — GoFundMe says that Ulster County is among the top most generous communities in the U.S.

GoFundMe just released its 2025 Year in Help report.

GoFundMe named Ulster County the 6th most generous community in the US. New York was named the 5th most generous state by percent of repeat donors.

The charitable crowdfunding group said that in a year marked by natural disasters and growing everyday needs, the power of help united communities like never before. With 2.5 donations made every second on average, people across the globe came to GoFundMe to lift up others, support nonprofits, and strengthen communities.

Some of the most notable fundraisers in Ulster County this year were also among the biggest news stories of the year.

Help Kaleigh's Girls Thrive After Tragedy: Kaleigh Griffin lost her life in a horrific act of domestic violence, leaving behind her two daughters and a cherished legacy. (Over $180,000 raised)

Support Ali and his Family: Afghan refugee and beloved Hudson Valley community member Ali Faqirzada was unexpectedly detained by ICE during a routine immigration hearing, leaving the community in an uproar advocating for his release. (Over $50,000 raised)

In Loving Memory of Andrew: Support Brooke & Rowan: The community rallied around Andrew and Brooke Tarpinian of Kingston after Andrew was suddenly diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer, placing immense emotional and financial strain on their young family. (Over $64,000 raised)

While Ulster County was especially remarkable in its generosity, the GoFundMe 2025 Year in Help report noted ways communities around the glove came together in 2025 to address critical needs and champion meaningful causes:

• More than 72 million fundraiser shares.
• Fastest-growing category: Charity. Monthly Bills and Faith followed.
• Most Generous Country: Ireland topped the list for the seventh consecutive year.
• More than 95,000 people turned to GoFundMe with the dream of starting their own business.
• More fundraisers were started to support food banks than for any other community cause.
• Fundraisers for volunteering increased by 3 times.
• The community proved to be a place for trusted help in moments of crisis – raising $330 million for natural disaster relief.
• More than 95,000 donors supported young athletes in shaping their dreams.
• This year also marked 15 years of generosity on GoFundMe - since 2010, more than $40 billion in help has been enabled through the platform, and over 165,000 nonprofits have been supported.
• Fundraising for school supplies surged by more than 50 percent.

According to GoFundMe, in 2025, essential-expense fundraising rose by 20 percent — communities stepped in to offer direct help to individuals and donated to the nonprofits providing resources, especially those facing food insecurity. While more than 80,000 organizers activated for a nonprofit cause — with participants signing up to run, walk, cycle, and swim more than 6 million miles, a distance powerful enough to travel to the Moon and back more than 12 times..