Karmelo Anthony’s new GiveSendGo fundraiser is putting the crowdfunding platform’s policies for legal defense campaigns involving people accused or convicted of violent crimes into focus.
Anthony recently launched a new campaign to help pay for his appeal after he was convicted of murder and sentenced to 35 years in prison in connection with the fatal stabbing of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf.
The new campaign has a fundraising goal of $250,000 and states that all proceeds will be used exclusively to cover Anthony’s appeal and case-related legal expenses
The structure of the new fundraiser differs significantly from a previous GiveSendGo campaign organized on behalf of Anthony and his family, which raised nearly $634,000 before the platform closed it following his conviction.
Unlike the first fundraiser, the new campaign states that all contributions will be deposited directly into an attorney trust account administered by Anthony’s lead attorney, Russell Wilson.
“Karmelo’s family will not receive, control, or spend these funds,” the fundraiser states.
According to the campaign, donations will be used for legal expenses associated with Anthony’s appeal, including briefs and filings, transcripts, investigators, expert witnesses and other litigation costs.
As of Wednesday morning, the campaign has raised $27,000.
GiveSendGo’s Legal Defense Policy
GiveSendGo’s current legal defense fundraising policy places additional requirements on campaigns involving violent or weapons-related charges, including homicide and attempted homicide.
According to the platform, fundraisers in those cases must clearly state that all money raised will be used solely for legal defense costs. The money cannot be used for personal support, living expenses or other purposes.
GiveSendGo also requires a licensed attorney or law firm actively involved in the defendant’s case to be listed as the recipient. Under the policy, money cannot be transferred directly to the fundraiser organizer or defendant.
The platform’s current Terms of Service took effect on July 14, 2025. However, GiveSendGo does not specify on its legal defense policy page when its rules for violent-crime campaigns— including the mandate that an attorney serve as the recipient — were first instituted.
That policy appears to explain the structure of Anthony’s new fundraiser, which ensures the funds are controlled by his legal team rather than his family.
What Happened to Anthony’s First Fundraiser?
The previous GiveSendGo fundraiser connected to Anthony and his family stated that the money could be used for more than Anthony’s legal defense, including family relocation, living expenses, transportation, counseling and security measures.
After GiveSendGo closed the fundraiser, the company publicly explained both why it removed the campaign and how the money raised through it had been used.
“This fundraiser was created to support pre-trial needs, and those funds were disbursed over the past year for lawful purposes including legal defense and family relocation,” GiveSendGo said in a June 10 statement.
“With that stated purpose now complete, the fundraiser has been closed, and the funds will be paid out. Our policy is that a fundraiser’s stated purpose stays accurate, so givers always know what they are supporting.”
GiveSendGo did not publicly provide a breakdown showing how much of the money was spent on relocation or other expenses.
Atlanta Black Star also spoke with Dominique Alexander, founder of the Next Generation Action Network and spokesperson for the Anthony family.
According to Alexander, the family had relocated before Anthony was convicted.
“We told the media we were going to move Karmelo, but what y’all didn’t know is that he was already moved,” Alexander said.
Specific details regarding when the family moved and where they currently live have not been publicly released. According to Alexander, security personnel accompanied them throughout the move.
Alexander said he believed the first fundraiser was taken down because of GiveSendGo’s policies surrounding legal support after Anthony’s conviction.
However, GiveSendGo’s own public statement did not say the fundraiser was removed because Anthony could no longer raise money for legal expenses.
Instead, the company said the fundraiser had been created to support pretrial needs and was closed because its stated purpose had been completed.
GiveSendGo’s History With Legal Defense Fundraising
Founded in 2014 by siblings Jacob Wells and Heather Wilson, GiveSendGo was established as a faith-based alternative to mainstream crowdfunding platforms like GoFundMe.
The platform has gained widespread prominence as a haven for criminal legal defense funds, particularly in high-profile cases where mainstream crowdfunding platforms have refused to host campaigns.
