After conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot and killed on Wednesday, Americans across the country donated millions of dollars through online fundraisers for his family, a surge of support underscoring his influence on the right and the legacy he left behind.
On GiveSendGo’s giving platform, fundraising efforts have amassed more than $2.8 million. The company confirmed to Fox News Digital that one campaign set a record for raising the most money in the shortest period of time.
"GiveSendGo has always been a place where people can immediately respond to crises. Within hours of Charlie’s tragic death, friends and supporters had set up a campaign. The fact that it took off so quickly shows just how deeply his life impacted people and how urgent the desire was to support his family," GiveSendGo co-founder and co-CEO Heather Wilson told Fox News Digital.
"What we’re seeing is that people want to respond quickly when tragedy strikes, and crowdfunding has become one of the primary ways they do that.
"We always remind ourselves that behind every campaign are real people who are hurting. Our responsibility is to provide a safe and secure platform for people to rally around one another in times of need," Wilson added. "When the spotlight is on us, we don’t see it as pressure. We see it as an opportunity to point people back to hope, generosity and community."
The co-founder noted that Americans’ generosity at this moment shows that grief often turns into action.
"When people feel powerless in the face of tragedy, giving becomes a tangible way to express love, solidarity and care," she said. "We also have a prayer button right next to the give button. People who can’t give financially are still able to share hope, encouragement and prayer with the family, and that outpouring has been just as, if not more, moving than the dollars raised. It is exactly what Charlie stood for — a relationship with Jesus."
