YouTube Giving makes it easier to support nonprofits

Whether it's a livestream video of goats or educational stories about the challenges of the criminal justice system, YouTube creators have long helped rally people behind causes they’re passionate about.

Last year, we set out to make it even easier for creators and viewers to support charitable causes they care about by testing YouTube Giving—a fundraising tool that helps creators raise money for eligible nonprofit organizations directly from their videos and live streams. 

YouTube Giving is now available to all YouTube Partner Program channels with more than 10,000 subscribers in the United States, United Kingdom and Canada. We spoke with two nonprofits that have benefited from fundraising efforts on YouTube to learn more about their causes first hand. 

Top YouTube creator raises funds to help people who can’t afford bail 

The Bail Project is a national nonprofit that combats this injustice by providing free bail assistance to thousands of people every year while working to eliminate cash bail. Every year, millions of low-income Americans are forced to sit in jail for weeks or months as they wait for their day in court. They’re presumed innocent under the law, but their freedom is tied to whether they can afford cash bail. Many end up pleading guilty to crimes they didn’t commit just to go home, leading to an undeserved criminal record that will follow them for the rest of their lives. 

The Daily Show with Trevor Noah told the story of The Bail Project on its channel and used YouTube Giving to raise $127,000 from viewers for their National Revolving Bail Fund. With teams in 24 cities around the U.S., they pay bail using their National Revolving Bail Fund and connect people to social services and community resources as needed upon release. Every donation made possible through Youtube Giving helped make a difference in The Bail Project's efforts to fuel momentum for bail reform.

An animal sanctuary hosts a fundraiser to support its cause

Nonprofits with more than 10,000 subscribers, like Goats of Anarchy, can now host their own fundraisers with YouTube Giving. Goats of Anarchy is a New Jersey-based sanctuary for animals with a focus on goats that have disabilities ranging from blindness to mobility impairment to neurological disorders. In addition to rescuing and rehabilitating animals, Goats of Anarchy also advocates for animal rights and teaches the world about inclusion and acceptance of disabilities.  

Caring for 240 animals, of which about 30 wear custom prostheses, they’re constantly working to provide the best possible care and find new ways to fund these efforts. Just over a year ago, Goats of Anarchy stumbled upon a passionate community of supporters on YouTube. The team had rescued Maybel, a pregnant goat. To keep an eye on her as she approached her due date, they set up a camera and created a livestream on YouTube. This live stream won the hearts of viewers who not only spread the word about these adorable animals, but also donated to Goats of Anarchy. 

Now with a growing audience of more than 16,000 subscribers and access to YouTube Giving, the team at Goats of Anarchy continues to share content and fundraise with YouTube Giving. Ellen, an Animal Caregiver at Goats of Anarchy, told us that YouTube allows them to share in-depth stories with their enthusiastic audience, many of which have some personal connection to disabilities. 

With these updates, viewers across more than 40 countries can use the Donate button or Live Chat donations to contribute to causes they care about—already fundraisers on YouTube have raised millions of dollars for organizations in the U.S. Thanks to the support of creators and the ability to fundraise with YouTube Giving, nonprofits can make an even bigger impact in their communities.