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.

The Nonprofit Event Planner's Guide to Table Captain Recruitment Nonprofit Gala Success

Recruit the right volunteers with this guide to table captain recruitment nonprofit gala success — boost attendance, expand donor networks, and maximize fundraising results.

Every development director knows the feeling: your gala venue is booked, the catering is confirmed, and the auction items are lined up — but the seats aren’t filling fast enough. Table captain recruitment for your nonprofit gala is often the single highest-leverage activity you can do in the 60 days before your event. Done right, it multiplies your reach, deepens donor relationships, and transforms a good fundraising night into a record-breaking one.

This guide walks you through exactly how to find, recruit, and support the table captains who will carry your mission forward.

Why Table Captain Recruitment Nonprofit Gala Strategy Matters More Than You Think

Before diving into tactics, it’s worth understanding why this role is so powerful. A table captain isn’t just someone who fills ten seats. They are a peer-to-peer ambassador who lends their personal credibility to your cause.

The Multiplier Effect

When a respected business leader, community figure, or longtime donor personally invites nine guests to your gala, those guests arrive already warmed up. They trust their host. They’re prepared to listen, engage, and give. Compare that to a cold ticket sale, and the difference in paddle-raise participation can be dramatic.

Table captains typically generate 2–3x higher average gifts from their guests than general ticket buyers
Personal invitations have open rates that no email campaign can match
Their social proof extends your organization’s credibility into entirely new networks

What’s at Stake If You Skip It

Relying on individual ticket sales alone means slower seat fill rates, longer cultivation timelines, and a room full of strangers who need more hand-holding. Your team ends up doing the relational work that a network of ten table captains could handle organically.

How to Identify the Right Table Captain Candidates

Not everyone is cut out for this role, and that’s okay. The best table captains share a few consistent traits: genuine enthusiasm for your mission, a strong personal network, and the confidence to make an ask.

Start With Your Existing Donor Segments

Your CRM is your first recruiting tool. Look for:

Mid-level donors who give consistently but haven’t yet moved into major gift territory — this role deepens their investment
Board members and committee volunteers who already understand your impact story
Past event attendees who have brought guests before, even informally
Corporate partners whose CSR goals align with your mission

Pull a list of anyone who has attended your gala two or more times. These repeat attendees are your warmest prospects. Flag them in your platform — tools like CharityFundraiser make it easy to segment attendees by event history and engagement score, so you’re not combing through spreadsheets manually.

Look Beyond Your Immediate Database

Your next wave of table captains may not be in your database yet. Ask your board members: “Who in your network would be proud to host a table for us?” Peer-nominated candidates are often more motivated than cold-recruited ones because the ask comes with built-in social accountability.

The Recruitment Conversation: Scripts and Timing

Knowing who to ask is half the battle. Knowing how to ask — and when — is the other half.

The 90-Day Recruitment Window

Open your table captain recruitment 90 days before the event and aim to confirm commitments by the 60-day mark. This gives captains enough time to personally reach out to their guests, follow up, and get RSVPs locked in.

Week-by-week sequence: 1. Week 1: Personal phone calls or one-on-one meetings for your top-tier prospects 2. Week 2–3: Follow-up emails with a formal table captain packet (more on this below) 3. Week 4: Group orientation call or coffee meeting for confirmed captains 4. Weeks 5–8: Regular check-ins, updates, and troubleshooting

A Simple, Confident Ask

Avoid overcomplicating the pitch. Here’s a framework that works:

“We’re looking for ten community leaders who believe in [mission] to host a table at our gala on [date]. As a table captain, you’d invite eight to nine guests and help us share our impact story that evening. It’s one of the most meaningful ways people support us — and I immediately thought of you.”

Notice what this script does: it signals exclusivity (“ten community leaders”), reduces perceived burden (“invite eight to nine guests”), and closes with a genuine compliment. It does not lead with the fundraising ask.

How to Set Your Table Captains Up for Success

Recruiting is only the beginning. Captains who feel unprepared drop off. Captains who feel supported become multi-year advocates.

Build a Table Captain Toolkit

Every confirmed captain should receive:

A one-page impact brief with your most compelling stats and a recent client or beneficiary story
Customizable email templates they can send to their guests
A personal fundraising page pre-loaded with their name and a customized URL

Platforms like CharityFundraiser let you spin up individual captain pages in minutes, track RSVPs by table, and send automated reminders — freeing your team to focus on relationship-building rather than logistics.

Host a Captain Orientation

A 45-minute virtual or in-person orientation does wonders for confidence. Walk through the event timeline, explain the fundraising moment, answer questions, and celebrate the group’s collective reach. When captains feel like insiders, they recruit harder.

Turn This Year’s Captains Into Next Year’s Champions

After the gala, close the loop. Send each captain a personalized thank-you note with the total amount raised at their table. Invite standout captains to join your event committee. Table captain recruitment for your nonprofit gala becomes exponentially easier each year when your alumni captains become your best recruiters.

Ready to streamline your entire gala workflow — from table captain sign-ups to night-of check-in? Explore how CharityFundraiser helps development teams like yours run smarter, more profitable events. Request a free demo today.