Freedom Rally convoy withdraws $ 1 million from once-frozen viral fundraiser: GoFundMe

A truck convoy meandering through the CTA on Thursday gained access to $ 1 million of the funds it raised through a viral online fundraiser previously frozen by the GoFundMe platform.

The fund, originally founded by Alberta woman Tamara Lich, raised $ 30,000 on its first live day, January 15, with the stated goal of reimbursing Canadians for gas and food expenses incurred while attending a Participated in “Freedom Convoy” protesting COVID-19. vaccine mandate.

The fundraising page says any excess funds will be donated to a veterans organization. As of Thursday afternoon, the magazine had raised more than $ 6.3 million from more than 80,000 sources.

GoFundMe froze the funds on Tuesday, saying it should see a plan for where the funds would go. On Thursday, a spokesman for the fund said at least some of the funds – $ 1 million so far – have been released.

“Our goal is to protect the generosity of donors and ensure that all donations go to those intended,” reads a portion of GoFundMe’s statement. “As part of our verification process, we require full transparency from the organizer on the flow of funds to ensure there is a clear plan and donors are informed on how the funds will be spent.”

GoFundMe said the fundraiser organizer has handed over a distribution plan to cover participants’ fuel costs, and that the platform will continue to work with the organizers after everyone has been compensated on which charities will receive the remaining funds.