There are many crowdfunding campaigns online tied to Renee Good's killing, but are any legit?

Paul Walsh, The Minnesota Star Tribune on Jan 9, 2026

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MINNEAPOLIS — There is an increasing number of campaigns being hosted by one of the nation’s leading crowdfunding platforms claiming to be collecting money on behalf of the family of Renee Good, the woman killed by an ICE agent this week in Minneapolis.

As of Jan. 9, one effort among the 30 or so leads the way with a tally topping $1.5 million and is the only one so far that GoFundMe has verified as legitimate.

“We are here brokenhearted and in awe of your generosity,” wrote Becka Tilsen, one of the organizers of the fast-growing fundraising effort. “My family met Renee and Becca after they moved to town and become fast friends.

“We will be adding Becca, Renee’s partner, as a beneficiary as soon as possible. They will have direct access to all of these funds. Thank you again for your compassion. They feel this tidal wave of care, and it really matters.”

The other GoFundMe campaigns have yet to get that stamp of approval as of Jan. 9, with at least two using images mistakenly presented as being of Good and many of them still waiting for that first donation.

“Our Trust and Safety team is currently reviewing all fundraisers related to the shooting in Minneapolis,” GoFundMe communications manager Nathalie Granda told the Minnesota Star Tribune.

At the same time, Granda put at ease anyone who has been or is thinking about being charitable on behalf of Good’s survivors.

“All funds remain safely held by our payment processors during the verification process,” she said.

Specifically, according to GoFundMe, while anyone can set up a campaign, the money cannot be released until the recipient’s identification is verified. Additional checks are made by human experts and software. All donations are guaranteed 100% against suspected fraud.

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