Donors are being urged to give generously but carefully as fundraising campaigns surge in the wake of the Bondi terror attack.

Bondi appeals prompt warning

Following Sunday’s tragic attack at Bondi Beach in Sydney, the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) is warning Australians to be cautious before donating to crowdfunding and other fundraising appeals linked to the incident. The regulator is urging people to prioritise giving to well-governed, registered charities to ensure support reaches those directly affected.

MAN TV has identified more than 10 campaigns on GoFundMe related to the Bondi attacks, including one titled “Support the Hero Who Disarmed a Bondi Attacker”, which has already raised more than AU$2 million. The strong public response reflects widespread grief and solidarity following what Commissioner Sue Woodward AM described as a horrific attack directed at Jewish people celebrating a religious event.

ACNC urges checks on charities

Commissioner Woodward said it is natural for people to want to help in the aftermath of such a traumatic event, including through donations to appeals. However, she stressed that donors should take simple steps to protect themselves and ensure their money is used as intended, starting with checking whether the fundraiser is connected to a registered charity.

The ACNC is encouraging donors to search the national Charity Register before giving to crowdfunding campaigns, and to consider donating directly via official charity websites where possible. Ms Woodward said that while many crowdfunding platforms work hard to ensure funds go where organisers say they will, they are “not completely immune from dubious fundraisers”, and the onus remains on donors to verify that campaigns are legitimate.

GoFundMe outlines safety measures

A GoFundMe spokesperson said the platform is “committed to being the safest place to give and receive help”, and activates a dedicated crisis team in response to major incidents such as the Bondi Beach shooting. The spokesperson said Trust & Safety specialists work around the clock during crises to vet and verify fundraisers for those affected and have created a dedicated hub of verified Bondi-related fundraisers to help donors find campaigns they can trust.

The platform acknowledged that some people with no direct connection to victims may launch fundraisers out of kindness and goodwill. In those cases, GoFundMe says donations are held until its Trust & Safety team completes standard checks and confirms that funds can be safely passed on to the intended beneficiary. If specialists are unable to verify a connection, the fundraiser is removed and donors are refunded.

Verification, reviews and refunds

GoFundMe says suspicious activity can be flagged by internal systems, community reports or when a fundraiser gains rapid momentum, triggering an immediate investigation. For a fundraiser to be verified, it must pass enhanced due diligence, combining human checks by Trust & Safety experts with technical tools designed to detect misuse. The organiser’s identity, their relationship to the intended recipient and how the funds will be used all need to be clear before money is released.

If more information is required, GoFundMe can place a hold on a fundraiser, stopping withdrawals until the review is complete. In rare cases of misuse, the platform says it will remove the fundraiser entirely and may ban accounts that breach its terms of service. Donations are backed by the GoFundMe Giving Guarantee, which promises donors a refund if something “isn’t right”, and the company provides further information and safety tips on its online safety hub.

Advice for donors

The ACNC is directing Australians to its guidance on crowdfunding for charities and donors to help them navigate the surge in appeals following the Bondi attack. Donors are being urged to:

• Check the Charity Register before giving to any campaign claiming to raise money for victims or their families.
• Consider donating directly via official charity websites listed on the Register.
• Be cautious of appeals where the organiser’s connection to beneficiaries is unclear.

Both the ACNC and GoFundMe say that while most campaigns are launched in good faith, vigilance remains essential to ensure that the public’s generosity provides real help to those who need it most.