Stephen Smith's family's fund has raised $100K amid Alex Murdaugh trial. What GoFundMe can teach us

Fundraising websites like GoFundMe present perfect on paper. They raise money for a good cause. Heartbreaking paragraphs of tragedy give way to heartfelt ones of gratitude. Everyone walks away better off than before – or at least on the way there.

That's certainly the case for Stephen Smith's family.

The teenager's body was found lying in the middle of a road in rural South Carolina in the early morning hours of July 8, 2015, with fatal blunt force trauma to the head and other injuries. 

Originally ruled a vehicular hit-and-run homicide in 2015, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) reopened the case in June 2021 "based upon information gathered during the course of the double murder investigation of Paul and Maggie Murdaugh," a spokesperson said at the time. Alex Murdaugh – the subject of several true crime documentaries – was recently sentenced to life in prison for the murders of his wife and son.

The GoFundMe page was launched in early March and to date has raised in excess of $127,000 to pay for the private exhumation, independent autopsy, and to fund the cost of a more in-depth investigation.

Fundraising sites like GoFundMe allow people to put good into the world in an easy but meaningful way, experts say. Still, one should always be wary of potential scammers – and in that way, crowdfunding sites reflect both the good and evil in the world.

"(GoFundMe) can provide hope, real support and  a sense of empowerment to people who may not have the resources to meet a particular crisis or tragedy in their lives," says Cecille Ahrens, a licensed clinical social worker.

The good behind GoFundMe

For those who haven't used GoFundMe: There's typically a descriptor of what a campaign is for, who's running it and what the donation goal is. You can then easily donate online and share the campaign, and choose whether to remain public or anonymous.

"In the infancy stages of the platform, it was viewed as a last hope," says psychologist Reneé Carr. "Now, it is seen as the first action step and one more effectively and less confusing than having to work through lawyers or creating a nonprofit."

On an individual level, helping others serves as a cornerstone to American democracy, and therefore something people want to partake in. "It gives us a sense of collective responsibility and highlights what is good in us," Ahrens says.

It makes people feel like they can directly change things rather than giving to a big organization.

When GoFundMe goes wrong

GoFundMe specifically "has a team of experts working around the clock to review fundraisers and prevent misuse," according to a company spokesperson.

The company adds: "We’ve also put systems in place allowing anyone to report a fundraiser if they have unanswered questions or concerns, and our team will immediately investigate to verify its legitimacy. We have zero tolerance for the misuse of our platform." It also guarantees those who donate a full refund in the unlikely case something is amiss.

Still, definitely look into a GoFundMe before donating to make sure it's legit. "If you’re in doubt, trust that hunch and investigate," Ahrens says. You can probably also contact (GoFundMe) directly if you have some questions about a particular campaign."

Fraudulent fundraising "make(s) up less than one-tenth of 1% of all fundraisers on GoFundMe," according to the organization.

Carr offers tips on what to look out for:

• "Reading the page to see if there is specific language on what the funds are for; how the funds will be used; and who is the person collecting the funds."
• "Research to see if the person collecting the funds is legitimately connected to the cause, and if there will be a public reporting of how the expenses are being spent."
• "Don’t fall for every sad story."

The social pressure of GoFundMe

Scroll through enough of your social media feeds and you'll find plenty of causes worth donating to – but at what point does that spill over into obligation? Or does it? Depends who you ask.

"I can imagine there to be some amount of social pressure, especially if a cause is something you care about, or you are connected in one way, shape or form to the victim(s)," Ahrens says.

Think about why you want to donate and how much you're legitimately able to give without feeling strapped, or even resentful. "If finances are limited on your end, see if you can find other non-monetary ways to help out," Ahrens adds. One may also want to explore why pangs of guilt creep in if you can't donate.

Elsewhere, It's important to think about what happens after the GoFundMe hubbub subsides, particularly if/when it goes viral. A widespread life-altering event may bring people together, but only for so long.

"After the novelty of the event or news wears off people return to their everyday lives and the acts of generosity decrease," Carr says. "In addition, as more and more of the same tragedy occurs, people are more likely to become emotionally numb to that type of tragedy."

In that sense: GoFundMe is a good start to helping someone or a cause. But only when it lasts.

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Contributing: Michael M. DeWitt, Jr., USA TODAY Network