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 Organization?

Help nonprofits choose the right fundraising format with this live auction vs silent auction nonprofit comparison covering revenue potential, costs, and event logistics.

When planning your next fundraising gala, golf tournament, or benefit dinner, one question consistently tops the agenda: live auction vs silent auction nonprofit comparison. Which format actually puts more dollars in your mission’s bank account? The honest answer is nuanced — and understanding the mechanics behind each format could be worth thousands of dollars to your organization this year.

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

Before crunching numbers, it helps to understand what separates these two classic fundraising formats at a structural level.

How Live Auctions Work

A live auction features a professional or volunteer auctioneer presenting items one at a time to a captive audience. Bidders compete openly, raising paddles or bidding cards as the price climbs. The energy in the room builds, emotions run high, and competitive instincts kick in — all of which drive prices upward.

Key characteristics: - Requires a skilled auctioneer (professional auctioneers typically close items 20–30% higher than amateurs) - Best suited for 8–15 premium items with broad appeal - Runs 45–90 minutes, depending on item count - Demands full audience attention during the auction window

How Silent Auctions Work

A silent auction displays items on tables or stations throughout your event venue. Guests browse, write bids on sheets (or tap bids on mobile devices), and return periodically to check their status. Bidding closes at a set time — often with a “rush” as the deadline approaches.

Key characteristics: - Can accommodate 30–150+ items simultaneously - Guests engage on their own timeline without disrupting dinner or programming - Mobile bidding platforms dramatically increase participation and revenue - Lower facilitation cost — no auctioneer fee required

Revenue Potential: Where Each Format Wins

This is where the live auction vs silent auction nonprofit comparison gets genuinely interesting — and where most development directors make costly assumptions.

When Live Auctions Generate More Money

Live auctions earn more per item, full stop. The psychology of open competition, social proof, and real-time urgency consistently pushes individual item prices well above market value. A Caribbean vacation package that might close at $3,200 in a silent auction can sail past $5,500 in a live format when two determined bidders lock eyes across the room.

Live auctions tend to outperform when: - Your audience includes major donors who respond to prestige and exclusivity - You have access to truly unique, aspirational experiences (suite tickets, travel packages, celebrity meet-and-greets) - Your event venue and programming create a high-energy atmosphere - Your auctioneer has experience working nonprofit crowds specifically

A children’s hospital in the Midwest reported that their top 10 live auction items generated 38% of their total event revenue — despite representing less than 7% of their total item inventory.

When Silent Auctions Generate More Money

Silent auctions win on volume and participation breadth. By offering dozens of accessible items at varied price points, you invite bidding from guests who would never raise a paddle in a live format. This inclusivity drives total revenue higher, even if per-item averages stay modest.

Silent auctions tend to outperform when: - Your donor base skews toward mid-level givers ($250–$2,500 range) - Your event attendance is large (200+ guests) with diverse interests - You’re using mobile bidding technology that sends outbid notifications and keeps engagement active all evening - Your procurement team can secure a high volume of quality items

Platforms like CharityFundraiser give event coordinators real-time dashboards showing which items are generating heat, so staff can nudge quiet tables toward high-value lots before bidding closes — a simple tactic that regularly lifts silent auction revenue by 15–25%.

The Hybrid Approach: Why Most High-Performing Events Use Both

Here’s what top-performing nonprofits figured out years ago: the live auction vs silent auction nonprofit comparison is often a false choice. The formats are complementary, not competing.

Structuring a Hybrid Event for Maximum Revenue

A well-designed hybrid auction event typically follows this framework:

Silent auction opens as guests arrive and enjoy cocktail hour
Dinner service begins while silent bidding continues on mobile devices
Live auction runs during dessert, featuring your 8–12 best items
Silent auction closes with a final push notification sent to all registered bidders
Checkout and fund-a-need complete the giving arc of the evening

This structure keeps guests engaged from the moment they walk in until they walk out, and it segments your item inventory intelligently — premium experiences go live, accessible items stay silent.

Technology That Makes Hybrid Auctions Seamless

The operational complexity of running both formats simultaneously used to require armies of volunteers and clipboards. Modern event fundraising tools eliminate that friction. CharityFundraiser supports both live and silent auction workflows in a single platform — including mobile bidding, auctioneer-facing displays, instant payment processing, and post-event reporting that shows you exactly which items and formats drove the most revenue per attendee.

Making the Right Choice for Your Organization

So, which format earns more? The format that matches your audience, your item inventory, and your team’s operational capacity — executed with the right technology behind it.

Start here: - Audit your donor database for average gift size and engagement history - Evaluate your item procurement pipeline honestly - Assess your venue’s layout and atmosphere - Calculate your auctioneer and staffing budget

The live auction vs silent auction nonprofit comparison ultimately comes down to strategy, not guesswork.

Ready to stop leaving money on the table? Explore how CharityFundraiser helps development directors and event coordinators run smarter, higher-revenue auctions — schedule a free demo today.