A crowdfunding campaign for the victims of Sunday’s terrorist attack at Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando, Fla., has collected more than $2.7 million in its first day.
“The campaign is the largest and fastest growing in GoFundMe’s history,” GoFundMe spokesman Bobby Whithorne said in a statement. “Our thoughts are with the victims and all those affected by this terrible attack.”
Ida Vishkaee Eskamani, a spokesperson for the Equality Florida organization, launched the page Sunday.
On Monday, the group announced it will work with the National Center for Victims of Crime to distribute the funds to families of those who have been affected by the shootings and other related groups.
“Every penny raised will be distributed directly to the victims and their families,” the organization said in a statement. “We are working with a team of attorneys and experts, including the National Center for Victims of Crime, which deployed funds in both Chattanooga and Aurora, to ensure funds are distributed correctly.”
GoFundMe donated $100,000 to the campaign Monday morning, an attempt to counter the 8 percent fee it charges fundraisers.
Four of the organization’s five most successful campaigns were terrorism- or gun-related, including campaigns for victims of the Umpqua Community College attack in Roseburg, Ore., and the Boston Marathon bombing.
