Donors have contributed about $2.5 million after the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis on Jan. 7 – with $1.5 million going to Good’s family and more than $1 million to the agent.
A GoFundMe campaign in support of Good’s family opened hours after the shooting. It was verified and closed Jan. 9 after 38,500 donors raised $1.5 million.
Another GoFundMe page, created Jan. 9, still active, and as yet unverified, supports Jonathan Ross, an ICE officer based in Minnesota, who has been identified as the agent who shot Good. Donors include hedge fund billionaire Bill Ackman, who contributed $10,000.
Before the fundraisers for Good and Ross, other donation campaigns opened after President Donald Trump increased the presence of ICE in Minneapolis in December. Here is a review of major sites, whom they’re for, and how much they’ve raised:
How fundraising campaigns related to ICE incidents compare
Can’t see our graphics? Click here to reload the page.
GoFundMe says donated funds “remain safely held by our payment processors” during the verification process, according to Newsweek. After verification, the money can be transferred to recipients.
Who is donating to Good?
At least two GoFundMe fundraisers have raised money for Good.
- Mattie Weiss and Becka Tilsen of Minneapolis are listed as creators of the first site. Becca Good, partner of Renee Good, and family, are recipients. The top GoFundMe contribution to Good was $50,000 from an anonymous donor.
- A second GoFundMe site created by Casey Middleton has raised $6,407, with a goal of $100,000 for Good’s children. It’s not yet clear if this site has been verified.
Who is donating to Ross?
Two sites on GoFundMe and one on GiveSendGo have raised a combined $1,098,755 for Ross as of Jan. 20.
How much was raised in how many days?
GoFundMe sites for Ross
GoFundMe has not yet verified the Ross fundraisers. It told USA TODAY on Jan. 12 that the company is “currently reviewing” all fundraisers related to the Minneapolis shooting and “working to gather additional information from the organizer of this fundraiser.”
- One GoFundMe for Ross lists Clyde Emmons as the organizer, and noted on Jan. 13 that “contact has been made and arrangements are being put into place to transfer the funds as the officer wishes.” Emmons, who is from Mount Forest, Michigan, wrote on the site that he created it to help Ross. The site names Ross as the ICE agent.
- A second GoFundMe site was opened by Frontline Patriots on Jan. 9.
Ackman is one of two donors who gave Ross $10,000 apiece. Two other anonymous donors gave $5,000 each. Ackman said he was supporting Ross because he knew Ross “would need significant funds to cover his defense costs.”
Ross has not been charged with any crime.
GiveSendGo sites for Ross
GiveSendGo is a Christian crowdfunding site that is popular with conservatives. It was used to raise nearly $523,000 for legal expenses for Kyle Rittenhouse in 2020. And at least 10 people accused in the Jan. 6 riot used GiveSendGo to raise funds for legal fees, according to a USA TODAY analysis in 2021.
- One GiveSendGo campaign lists Tom Hennessey as the creator, who identifies himself on X as an independent journalist. It says money raised “will be received by ICE AGENT.” This GiveSendGo site does not name the agent, but cites a quote from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem that news organizations have used to identify Ross. A photo of the agent appears on the site.
Note: A review of both GoFundMe and GiveSendGo reveal a number of sites that may or may not benefit named recipients. GoFundMe lists precautions for potential donors here. GiveSendGo has a similar list here.
How many donations have been made?
Who else is being funded?
Other sites, recipients and purpose, according to GoFundMe:
- Anna Brauch and DJ Mar Navarro: Brauch and Navarro were detained by ICE agents in Minneapolis Jan. 8. Brauch reportedly suffered broken bones in her hand. Donations will be used to help with medical fees and “legal fees if needed,” according to bringmethenews.com. The site says donations have been paused.
- Support Near North Families Affected by ICE Raids: For families in the Near North neighborhood of Minneapolis. Money will be used for essentials, including rent, groceries, utilities and other expenses.
- Help Pay Rent for Families Impacted by ICE: For families that have been affected by ICE-related detentions. Money will be used to pay rent for those seeking assistance.
- Support Lucy Laney Families Impacted by ICE Raids: For families in need within the Lucy Laney School community in North Minneapolis. Money will be used for rent, utilities, groceries and necessities for children.
- Support Families Affected by ICE Raids in Minnesota: For those affected by ICE operations. Money goes toward groceries and other necessities. The site says donations have been paused.
GoFundMe was started in May 2010. It lists transaction fees at 2.9% plus $0.30 per donation. GiveSendGo was launched in October 2015 and lists processing fees at 2.7% plus $0.30 per donation. Fees are higher with donations using foreign currency.
