Mobile bidding with no app
Guests open a link or scan a QR code, then bid in the browser on the phone they already have.
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For nonprofits and schools
Charity auction software you can run on top of a real job.
CharityAuctions (formerly Charity Auctions Today) helps small and medium nonprofits and schools run online, live, or hybrid fundraising auctions. Guests bid in the browser. No app. $0 upfront.
Test it together before you decide. Nothing public until you say so.
Side by side
CharityAuctions vs OneCause vs GiveSmart.
Built for about $1,000-$75,000 events you run yourself. OneCause and GiveSmart often fit paid-staff nights over $100,000.
| Feature | CharityAuctions | OneCause | GiveSmart |
|---|---|---|---|
| Platform | CharityAuctions | OneCause | GiveSmart |
| Upfront cost | $0 | Subscription / quote | Quote |
| Fees | 5% / from $499+3% / 0% | Quote | Quote |
| Mobile bidding (no app) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Online / live / hybrid | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| No tip prompt | No tip prompt | Not stated here | Not stated |
| Support | Included | Varies | Varies |
Three plans
CharityAuctions fees.
$0 to start. You pick a plan. You can pass fees to bidders.
| Plan | Fee | What you pay |
|---|---|---|
| Nothing Out of Pocket | 5% | You pay 5% of funds raised. $0 to start. |
| Prepaid and Save | from $499 plus 3% | You prepay from $499. Then 3%. |
| Custom Discounts | 0% | No platform percentage. Built for volume. |
See full CharityAuctions pricing →
Test it together before you decide. Nothing public until you say so.
A direct answer
What is charity auction software?
Charity auction software is the platform you use to plan, run, and close a fundraising auction. You add items, take bids, send outbid alerts, and check out winners. Teams also call this fundraising auction software or online auction software for nonprofits. CharityAuctions covers online, live, and hybrid from one account.
Guests bid in the browser. No app. According to CharityAuctions.com platform data, mobile bidding raises an average of 43% more per event and sees participation up to 52% higher than paper bid sheets.
Running a silent auction? Use silent auction software for that workflow. Keep this page for the broader software decision.
TL;DR
CharityAuctions is charity auction software for small and medium nonprofits and schools. It is also fundraising auction software and online auction software for nonprofits: no app, online/live/hybrid, $0 upfront. Fees are Nothing Out of Pocket 5%, Prepaid and Save from $499 plus 3%, and Custom Discounts 0%. No tip prompt. Median 10 minutes to first item. Create Your Free Account.
What you actually need
Key features in charity auction software.
Judge a platform on setup time, the guest phone experience, and whether checkout is honest. Median 10 minutes to first item.
Online, live, and hybrid
One account for a week-long online auction, an in-room night, or both on the same catalog.
Fast checkout and reports
Winners pay from the phone. You export bidders, payments, and receipts for thank-yous.
Median 10 minutes to first item
You can add an item and preview the bidder view in the same sitting. No sales call required.
Schools and PTAs
School auction software, without a separate product.
School auction software lives on this page. A PTA, booster club, or parent committee can add items, test a private demo, and send a link families open without an app. You are running this on top of a real job, not a paid events desk.
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$0 upfrontNothing Out of Pocket is 5%. You do not buy a license before the first bid.
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Volunteer-friendly setupAdd items, set bids, and share a private demo with the committee before parents see it.
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No-app bidding for familiesParents and grandparents bid in the browser. Test it from a parent phone first.
More planning detail: silent auction management for schools.
Why CharityAuctions
4.9/5, $0 upfront, no sales call, 10 minutes.
Built for small and medium nonprofits and schools. You run about $1,000-$75,000 on top of a real job. Test a private demo with your team before anything is public.
Test it together before you decide. Nothing public until you say so.
Planning help: how to run a charity auction · resources · silent auction software
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4.9/5Rated by teams who run the event themselves.
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$0 upfront5%, or from $499 plus 3%, or 0%. You pick a plan when you are ready.
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No sales callYou test it with your team before you decide. Nothing public until you say so.
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Median 10 minutes to first itemYou can be looking at a real bidder view in the same sitting.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about charity auction software.
Short answers for nonprofit and school teams picking a platform.
What is charity auction software?
Charity auction software helps you plan, run, and close a fundraising auction in one place. You add items, take bids, send outbid alerts, and check out winners. It is the same category people call fundraising auction software or online auction software for nonprofits. CharityAuctions supports online, live, and hybrid events. Guests bid in the browser. No app. If you are running a silent auction, see silent auction software.
What is the best charity auction software?
The best charity auction software is the one you can set up yourself, guests can use on a phone, and you can afford without a surprise invoice. Look for no-app mobile bidding, online/live/hybrid in one account, clear fees, and no tip prompt at checkout. CharityAuctions is built for small and medium nonprofits and schools. $0 upfront. No sales call. Median 10 minutes to first item. Compare CharityAuctions vs OneCause and CharityAuctions vs GiveSmart.
How much does charity auction software cost?
CharityAuctions is $0 to start. Nothing Out of Pocket is 5%. Prepaid and Save is from $499 plus 3%. Custom Discounts is 0%. Other platforms often quote a subscription. OneCause and GiveSmart typically require a sales conversation. There is no optional tip prompt on CharityAuctions. Donors feel tricked when a tip screen appears, extra often goes to the platform, and you own the angry email. See pricing.
Do bidders need to download an app?
No. Guests open a link or scan a QR code and bid in the browser on the phone they already have. An app download is a barrier for parents, grandparents, and occasional donors. CharityAuctions is no-app mobile bidding.
What's the difference between online, live, and hybrid auctions?
Online auctions run remotely over days or weeks. Live auctions support an in-person room (mobile bidding, checkout, paddle raise). Hybrid uses one catalog for early online bidding and event night. CharityAuctions runs all three from one account. Silent-auction workflows live on silent auction software.
Which charity auction platforms are best for schools?
Schools and PTAs need software a rotating volunteer team can run on top of a real job. Look for $0 upfront, no-app bidding, and a private demo you can test before parents see it. CharityAuctions is school auction software in the same product, not a separate site. See silent auction management for schools.
See it on your phone first
Build a private demo for the team
Test it together before you decide. Nothing public until you say so.
Test it together before you decide. Nothing public until you say so.