How much does CharityFundraiser cost?

CharityFundraiser is free to start. There is a flat 2% platform fee on funds raised — never on donor tips — with no setup fee, no monthly subscription and no long-term contract. Standard Stripe/PayPal payment processing applies, and a cover-the-fee toggle lets donors absorb it.

What does CharityFundraiser replace?

It replaces multiple separate vendors — auction software (like OneCause or Handbid), donation/peer-to-peer platforms (like Givebutter or ClassyLive), email/SMS marketing, donor CRM, direct mail, and a separate volunteer-management tool — all under one login and one dashboard.

Is there a contract or monthly fee?

No. There is no long-term contract and no monthly subscription. You only pay the flat 2% platform fee when funds come in.

How does CharityFundraiser compare to Givebutter and OneCause?

CharityFundraiser is all-in-one like both, with transparent flat 2% pricing and no donor-tip prompts (unlike Givebutter) and no five-figure annual contract (unlike OneCause). It also ships features neither offers: an AI Coordinator Playbook (auto Run of Show + auctioneer talking points), a real-time volunteer audit trail, and an automated 3-touch donor renewal cadence.

Who built CharityFundraiser?

CharityFundraiser was founded by Larry Scala, a nonprofit auctioneer, emcee and consultant with 30+ years of experience serving organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boys & Girls Clubs and Ducks Unlimited. He is a U.S. Air Force Academy graduate, holds a B.S. in Engineering and an MBA, and has run his web development firm Web-Tech Services since 1996.

What is CharityFundraiser?

CharityFundraiser is an all-in-one fundraising platform for nonprofits. It combines online and live silent auctions, peer-to-peer campaigns, donation pages, event ticketing, donor CRM, and AI campaign coaching in a single tool built specifically for 501(c)(3) organizations.

Is CharityFundraiser free for nonprofits?

Yes — there is no setup fee and no monthly minimum. Nonprofits only pay a small percentage on funds raised plus standard payment processing fees. There is a discounted nonprofit rate for verified 501(c)(3) organizations.

What is the best silent auction software for schools?

CharityFundraiser is built for school PTAs, sports teams, and educational foundations. It includes mobile bidding without app downloads, bulk item uploads from Excel, donor receipts, and live big-screen scoreboards — all priced for small school budgets.

How does Text-to-Give work on CharityFundraiser?

Donors text a keyword like GIVE to your dedicated number. Our platform automatically replies with a one-tap donation link tied to your campaign. Donations confirm via reply SMS, and the donor record is created or updated in your CRM in real-time.

Can I run a virtual or hybrid gala on CharityFundraiser?

Yes. The platform supports fully online events, in-person galas with check-in QR codes, and hybrid events. Live-stream scoreboards, paddle-raise / fund-a-need software, and big-screen Show Director are all included.

Does CharityFundraiser integrate with QuickBooks and Stripe?

Yes. Stripe Connect powers direct-to-organization payouts, and QuickBooks Online integration auto-syncs donations as transactions for clean reconciliation at year-end.

How is CharityFundraiser different from Givebutter or OneCause?

Most platforms specialize in one channel (donations OR auctions OR P2P). CharityFundraiser combines them in one tool with first-class AI campaign coaching included, eliminating the need for 3–5 separate vendor subscriptions.

Is there a mobile app for bidding?

No app is required. Bidders use any phone's web browser. The mobile-first interface supports proxy bidding, outbid alerts via web push and SMS, and one-tap buy-now.

Live Auction vs Silent Auction Nonprofit Comparison: Which Format Earns More for Your Cause?

Comparing live auction vs silent auction nonprofit formats? Discover which raises more money, engages donors better, and fits your event goals, crowd, and capacity.

When it comes to fundraising events, the live auction vs silent auction nonprofit comparison is one of the most debated topics in the development world. Both formats raise real money, build donor relationships, and energize your community — but they do it in fundamentally different ways. Before you book your auctioneer or design your bidding paddles, you need to understand which format is actually right for your organization’s goals, audience, and capacity.

The short answer? Neither format is universally better. The right answer depends on your items, your crowd, and how well you execute.

Let’s break it down.

Understanding the Core Differences in a Live Auction vs Silent Auction Nonprofit Comparison

How Live Auctions Work

In a live auction, a professional or volunteer auctioneer presents items one at a time to a room of bidders. Participants raise paddles, call out bids, or use handheld devices to compete in real time. The energy is theatrical, the competition is visible, and the emotional momentum can drive bids significantly higher than an item’s perceived value.

Live auctions typically feature: - 5–15 high-value items (luxury travel, exclusive experiences, premium packages) - A dedicated 30–60 minute block in your event program - A professional auctioneer who actively drives bidding - Immediate winner announcements and emotional peaks

How Silent Auctions Work

Silent auctions run in the background of your event. Guests browse display tables, write bids on sheets (or place mobile bids via a platform), and compete without a central announcer. Bidding typically closes in rounds or at a set time, with winners notified quietly.

Silent auctions typically feature: - 20–100+ items across multiple price points - Extended bidding windows (sometimes days before the event) - Lower barrier to participation — guests browse at their own pace - Broader item variety, from gift cards to artwork to spa packages

Which Format Raises More Money? A Live Auction vs Silent Auction Nonprofit Comparison

The Case for Live Auctions Earning More Per Item

Live auctions consistently generate higher per-item revenue than silent auctions. Why? Social pressure, competitive instinct, and the auctioneer’s psychological expertise all combine to push bids past rational limits.

Consider this example: A premium golf experience worth $800 might close at $950 in a silent auction. That same package, presented by a skilled auctioneer in front of 300 engaged donors, could close at $1,800 — even $2,500 if two bidders lock into a competitive exchange.

Factors that maximize live auction revenue: - Selecting 8–12 aspirational, hard-to-buy experiences - Pre-event donor research to identify your top bidders - A professional auctioneer with nonprofit experience - Strategic placement of your highest-value item (usually third or fourth, not last) - Fund-a-Need (also called a “raise the paddle” appeal) immediately following

The Case for Silent Auctions Raising More Overall

Here’s the counterintuitive truth: silent auctions often generate more total event revenue because they engage far more donors across a wider price spectrum.

While your live auction might net $25,000 from 10 items, a well-managed silent auction with 60 items could raise $40,000 — because 80 donors each win something at $200–$1,000, rather than 10 donors each winning something at $2,500.

Silent auctions also extend your fundraising window. Platforms like CharityFundraiser let you open mobile bidding days before your event, allowing donors who can’t attend to participate, driving additional revenue you’d otherwise leave on the table.

Factors that maximize silent auction revenue: - Organizing items into clear price tiers ($25–$100, $100–$500, $500+) - Using mobile bidding to enable pre-event and remote participation - Setting minimum bids at 40–50% of fair market value - Enabling automatic outbid notifications to keep bidders engaged - Closing items in staggered rounds to maintain excitement

Which Format Is Right for Your Nonprofit?

Consider Your Audience Size and Composition

A crowd of 80 major donors responds differently than a gala of 400 mixed supporters. Live auctions thrive with smaller, high-capacity audiences where competitive bidding between known donors can occur organically. Silent auctions scale beautifully for larger, diverse crowds where participation breadth matters more than per-item depth.

Consider Your Item Inventory

Ask yourself honestly: - Do you have 8–12 items that are truly extraordinary? → Live auction - Do you have 40+ items across varied price points? → Silent auction - Do you have both? → Run both formats strategically in the same event

Many top-performing nonprofits combine a live auction of 8 premiere items with a silent auction of 50+ mid-range items, maximizing both revenue streams simultaneously.

Consider Your Operational Capacity

Live auctions require an auctioneer, tight program scheduling, and real-time checkout management. Silent auctions — especially when powered by digital platforms — can largely run themselves. CharityFundraiser’s mobile bidding tools automate outbid alerts, close bidding rounds on schedule, and generate instant winner reports, dramatically reducing volunteer burden on event night.

The Bottom Line

The live auction vs silent auction nonprofit comparison doesn’t have one universal winner. Live auctions win on per-item revenue and emotional impact. Silent auctions win on total participation, volume, and accessibility. The most successful development directors don’t choose one — they architect both formats to complement each other.

Map your audience, curate your items intentionally, and invest in the right tools to manage execution flawlessly.

Ready to maximize your next auction event? Explore how CharityFundraiser’s mobile bidding and auction management tools help nonprofits run smarter, higher-earning events — start your free trial today.