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There’s something special about unexpected kindness. The kind that pops up on an ordinary Tuesday and turns someone’s whole week around. That’s exactly what Pay It Forward Day (April 28th) is all about—starting a chain reaction of generosity with one small (or big!) act of kindness.

Whether you’ve got 60 seconds or a few hours, here are 7 creative ways to pay it forward—some sweet and simple, others bold and beautiful. A few even involve your favorite fundraising platform (wink wink!).

1. The Classic Coffee Move 

Buy coffee for the person behind you in the drive-thru or café line. Leave a little note on the cup if you can: “You’ve been paid for—now go pay it forward!”

Simple, but powerful. Bonus: it’s a great way to brighten a stranger’s Monday morning.

2. Send Flowers (Anonymously!) 

Drop off a bouquet on a neighbor’s doorstep or have a small arrangement delivered to someone going through a hard time—with no name on the tag. Just a message like: “Someone is thinking of you today,” or “Someone wanted you to know you're appreciated today.”

3. Start a GiveSendGo Campaign… for Someone Else

Know someone who’s always giving but never asks for help? Or maybe someone who’s going through a rough season and could use some help and hope? Surprise them with a GiveSendGo campaign to bless their socks off. Whether they’re fostering kids, starting a ministry, or battling medical bills, this could be the most meaningful surprise they’ve had all year.

Pro tip: Loop in friends and family who also care about the person you're blessing. Invite them to give, pray, and spread the word—it’s amazing how fast generosity can grow when it comes from a community that loves someone well.

4. Create a “Kindness Kit” for a Stranger 

Fill a backpack or tote bag with water, snacks, hygiene items, a handwritten note, and maybe a gift card or two. Keep it in your car and give it to someone in need when the moment arises.

Want to go big? Rally your friends, church, or school to make dozens of these and hand them out as a group.

5. Launch a “Pay It Forward Challenge” Campaign on GiveSendGo

Make it fun and interactive! Start a campaign where every donation funds small random acts of kindness. Maybe every $5 buys a coffee, every $20 covers a meal for a family, and every $50 goes toward blessing someone big-time.

Pro tip: Use your updates section to post photos and stories as you go—and challenge givers to do the same in their own towns. 

6. Send a Letter to Someone Who Changed Your Life 

You know that teacher who believed in you? That pastor who prayed with you? That friend who didn’t give up on you when you were in a hard place?

Write them a heartfelt letter or email. Or record a short video telling them what their kindness meant. It’s free—but unforgettable.

Bonus: Share the story on your socials to inspire others to do the same.

7. Throw a "Blessing Night" Party 

Invite a few friends over and each of you brings $10–20 (or more) to pool together. Then brainstorm how to bless someone:
 

• Surprise gift for a single mom
• Lunch for your local fire department
• Go out to dinner together and bless the waitress with a major tip!
• A GiveSendGo campaign that could use a boost
• Cash stuffed in envelopes to drop off at random mailboxes with sweet note

Make it a night of generosity, laughter, and creativity!

Whatever you do—do it with a “cheerful heart”.

Pay It Forward Day isn’t about going viral or checking a box. It’s about genuine generosity and planting seeds of hope, kindness, and love that ripple far beyond just one day.

“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” — 2 Corinthians 9:7 

We believe that cheerful giving is contagious. When you give with joy, it sparks something in others. It inspires more giving, more hope, and more stories of lives changed for the better.

So let’s get out there and start a generosity chain that doesn’t end on April 28th, but becomes a habit in your life and the lives of those around you.

Tag us @GiveSendGo on social media if you do something fun or meaningful—we’d love to share your story and inspire others to join in!

Ready, set… Pay it forward.

We have been asked a few questions from many media sources, most recently Christian Post.  
For transparency here are our uncut full answers to all the questions they sent over. 

1. Can you share the kinds of responses GSG has received for the Karmelo Anthony campaign?
The responses have been deeply divided, as we expected. Some have thanked us for holding the line on the presumption of innocence and not giving in to public pressure or media narratives. Others have expressed anger and confusion about why we would allow a campaign for someone charged with a serious crime. We understand and empathize with those emotions. At GiveSendGo, we’ve consistently held that we are not the judge and jury. Our role is to give people the opportunity to raise funds, while trusting the justice system to do its job.

2. In her tweet, Heather compared Anthony's case to that of Rittenhouse and Penny. However, there are significant differences, including that Metcalf was unarmed, neither Rittenhouse nor Penny had their bond reduced, nor were they granted house arrest. In a 4/17 X post, Jacob suggested the attacker had "just gone through a serious traumatic experience." Can you speak more on these public responses to the murder of Austin Metcalf?
We understand the intensity of emotions surrounding this case. A young man lost his life, and that is a tragedy. People are right to grieve, to ask hard questions, and to demand accountability. At the same time, we believe it's important to approach all these situations—whether it’s Karmelo Anthony, Kyle Rittenhouse, or Daniel Penny—with consistency and a commitment to due process.
There are a few key things to keep in mind:

1. In each of these high-profile cases, someone tragically lost their life.
2. In each case, there was no mystery as to who was involved in the incident.
3. The media narrative in each situation was filled with half-truths, omissions, and sensationalism, making it difficult for the public to grasp the full picture.
4. And in each case, people gave—not necessarily because they supported the act itself—but because they believed in the importance of a fair trial and the presumption of innocence.

The legal nuances—such as whether someone is granted house arrest or bond reduction—are ultimately in the hands of the courts. While we may not understand or agree with every decision, those determinations are made by judges with access to far more information than the public.
From the beginning, GiveSendGo made the decision not to act as judge and jury. Our platform exists to provide a space where people can rally support, even in the most controversial of moments. That doesn't mean we endorse or celebrate the circumstances of every campaign—it means we uphold the principle that every person is entitled to a defense and the opportunity for due process. We know this commitment may be uncomfortable, but we believe it is essential to maintaining freedom and fairness in a world that too often rushes to judgment.

3. Reports indicate that the Anthony family is using the funds to purchase a new home even as their son awaits trial for murder. What's your response to that?
This question proves exactly why it’s so important not to believe everything we read online. It has since come out that Karmelo’s family has not bought a house, and at the time those headlines were circulating, they hadn’t even received any funds from the campaign yet. And yet, even here, we’re responding to a question based on false “reports.” That should give us all pause when it comes to how quickly misinformation spreads and how easily it becomes accepted as fact.
That said, once funds are released to a campaign owner, we don’t micromanage or control how they’re used unless there’s a direct violation of our terms of service. From what the family has shared, they’ve experienced significant trauma, displacement, and concern for their safety. If they were to use funds to secure stable housing during this time, that may be controversial—but it is not against our policies.
We trust our donors to read campaigns, discern for themselves, and choose whether or not they want to give. Transparency and freedom go hand in hand, and our platform exists to allow people to show support where they feel led, not to police how hardship looks from the outside

4. Some have argued that the Karmelo campaign does indeed violate GSG's TOS, namely the prohibition against "campaigns that are racist, hateful, potentially libelous, support or promote physical violence, or are intended to financially benefit individuals for the commission of violent crimes are not permitted." In your view, why is the Karmelo page not subject to these terms?
That’s a valid and important question. The key word in that clause is commission—campaigns intended to benefit individuals for committing violent crimes. In this case, a legal process is still ongoing, and no conviction has been made. We do not have firsthand access to evidence or court proceedings, so we do not label someone guilty before the courts do. This standard has applied to other campaigns on our platform in the past, and we continue to apply it consistently.

5. Does GSG have any plans to restrict funds for certain purposes in cases where the recipient is charged with a crime, even a felony as in this case?
We remain committed to free speech and the principle of due process. That said, we are always evaluating our policies. Our current terms are designed to prevent the glorification of violence or fundraising that directly incites harm or rewards criminal activity. If a campaign crosses those lines, we act quickly. But if someone is using funds to pay legal fees, relocate for safety, or support their family, we don’t believe it’s our role to restrict those decisions in the absence of a criminal conviction.

6. Can you speak a bit about your faith journey on this matter? How has this controversy informed your prayer life and impacted your faith walk in these last few days?
This season has been heavy. I’ve wrestled with the weight of public criticism, the pain of victims’ families, and the burden of making hard, unpopular decisions. But it has also driven me deeper into the heart of God—into prayer, into Scripture, and into remembering that truth and grace must coexist. I’ve been reminded of Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:44: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” That doesn’t mean endorsing evil—it means keeping our hearts tender, even when the world is hard. Our team has fasted, prayed, and sought wise counsel. We’re not perfect, but we are committed to seeking God's will in how we lead and love—even in the fire.
 

In a world where standing up for your values has become increasingly challenging, two influential forces are joining hands to make a difference. We are excited to announce a partnership between GiveSendGo and RedBalloon, America’s premier pro-freedom job board and corporate recruiter.

At GiveSendGo, we champion everyone’s freedom to raise funds for what matters most to them, providing a platform where all voices can be heard, regardless of what they believe.

RedBalloon shares this commitment to freedom. As an innovator in the hiring space, RedBalloon has made significant changes to the industry with its culture-first recruiting service and a national job board that connects like-minded individuals and businesses through networks like Turning Point USA and national homeschool groups.

“We’re very excited to partner with another entity that has stood firm for freedom,” said RedBalloon CEO Andrew Crapuchettes. “Just like Elon Musk’s reforms at X to promote freedom, we’re going to encourage every Freedom Economy business and individual to support GiveSendGo as their preferred crowdfunding source.”

Heather Wilson, GiveSendGo Co-Founder, echoed this sentiment, saying, “In an economy where we desperately need alternative options who stand for your values, both GiveSendGo & RedBalloon have provided just that in their respective industries.”

Together, GiveSendGo and RedBalloon are proud to stand as pillars of the Freedom Economy, ensuring that your right to raise funds, work, and live according to your beliefs remains protected.