Americans who donated to a crowdfunding campaign were most likely to give money to a friend; however, a large percentage donated to someone they did not know personally.

Forty-six percent of respondents who donated did so to a friend’s crowdfunding campaign. Sixty-one percent donated to the campaign of either a relative, co-worker, or acquaintance (24 percent, 14 percent, and 23 percent, respectively). More than one-third (35 percent) donated to someone they did not know personally.

Almost two-thirds of Americans think that the government should bear a great deal or a lot of responsibility for providing health care to people who need free or reduced-cost medical care—more so than hospitals, doctors, or charities.

Although more people gained insurance coverage with the Affordable Care Act, crowdfunding for health care expenses is becoming more common because Americans still cannot afford their out-of-pocket costs—deductibles, copays, or coinsurance—their coverage notwithstanding. Medical bills remain the number one reason Americans file for personal bankruptcy, according to a 2019 City University of New York-Harvard study. When asked who is responsible for paying for care for those who cannot afford it, a majority of Americans (60 percent) believe the government should as opposed to health care providers, charities, and family and friends.

“It is clear that Americans want government and providers to work together to provide charity or assistance when needed,” said Susan Cahn, senior research scientist at NORC. "Fewer Americans think that family, friends, or even strangers should shoulder the costs of care that patients and their families cannot afford. Furthermore, although we estimated that, to date, 8 percent of Americans have started crowdfunding campaigns, 26 percent believe friends or family should not assume much or any responsibility for unaffordable medical care costs.”