Charity Auction Software Help Center and Knowledge Base
Find step by step guides, setup instructions, and troubleshooting help for CharityAuctions. Learn how to use online auctions, mobile bidding, checkout, item setup, ticketing, donor management, and more.
Browse 48+ help articles for auction setup, bidding, checkout, and event management
Search the knowledge base or browse by category to find answers for running online, silent, live, and hybrid charity auctions.
Help articles by category
Auctions
How to Change the End Time of Your Auction
Change your auction start or end time through Auction Setup > Bid Schedule. Edit the Bidding Window—all assigned items update automatically. No need to edit items individually.
How to Close Bidding and Finalize Winners
Bidding closes automatically at the scheduled end time, or you can close early via Auction Setup > Bid Schedule > Close Early. Winners and invoices are finalized automatically.
How to Create a New Auction
Create a new auction from your dashboard or while inside an existing auction. Use the auction dropdown to access View All Auctions, then click Create a New Auction.
How to Launch Your Auction and Make It Live
Click Publish Auction in the top right to launch. Bidding opens automatically at the scheduled Bid Start Time. You need at least one item to publish. Schedule is in Auction Setup > Bid Schedule.
How to Share Your Auction With Bidders
Share your auction using the auction URL and built-in promotional tools. Post on social media, email, text, and your website. Use Promote & Links for graphics and templates.
How to Turn On Bidding for Your Auction
Two steps: 1) Publish your auction via the Publish Auction button. 2) Wait for the Bid Start Time—bidding opens automatically. Review or edit in Auction Setup > Bid Schedule.
What Happens When My Auction Ends
When your auction reaches its end time, bidding stops automatically, winners are determined, invoices are created, and notification emails are sent. Learn what happens and what to do next.
Where Can I Find My Auction Share Link
Find your auction share link at the top of the auction dashboard or in Design & Promote > Promote & Links. Copy and share the URL in emails, social media, texts, or your website.
Events
Creating Item Signs and QR Codes
Print item signs with QR codes from Display Sheets. In the left sidebar, under Fundraising Modules, click Online Auction. Then open the Display Sheets tab. Click Download All Sheets.
Managing Attendees and Event Check-In
Open Attendees under Fundraising Modules in Campaign Hub. Ticket sales, Import, and Add attendee fill the Attendee List. Bidder numbers and check-in status are on that list. Use Live Event Kiosk for QR check-in.
Managing Tickets and Tracking Revenue
In the left sidebar, under Fundraising Modules, click Ticket Sales. Open the Ticket Reports tab for totals, orders, Export Report, and Add Offline Sale. Bidder # and Table # are on Attendees. There is no Live Event Features sidebar.
Why Is the QR Code Not Working When I Take a Picture?
QR codes must be scanned, not photographed. Taking a picture saves an image but does not activate the link. Use your phone's camera to scan the code—a link will appear to tap.
Items
Adding and Managing Sponsors
In the left sidebar, under Fundraising Modules, click Sponsor Logos. Use Add Sponsor Logo or Add First Sponsor Logo. Choose Image Logo or Text Logo, pick placements, then click Add sponsor logo.
Adding Auction Items in Bulk
In the left sidebar, under Fundraising Modules, click Online Auction to reach Item Catalog. In Add items, click Upload. Download Excel Template, fill your spreadsheet, then upload an Excel file.
Can I Automate or Bulk Upload Images to My Auction?
CharityAuctions does not support bulk or automated image uploads. Images must be added individually to each item. Learn the fastest way to add photos—using your mobile phone.
How to Add an Item to Your Auction
In the left sidebar, under Fundraising Modules, click Online Auction to open Item Catalog. Click Add your first item. Enter Title, Category, and at least one price such as Starting Bid. Save Item.
How to Create and Download Gift Certificates
Create a downloadable gift certificate on an auction item in Item Catalog. Open Gift Certificate (Optional) at the bottom of the form. Download from the row Actions menu, not the Certificate badge.
How to Create Item Categories
In the left sidebar, under Fundraising Modules, click Online Auction. Open the Categories tab and click Add Category. When you add an item, Category is required and pre-filled as General Items.
How to Set Starting Bids and Buy Now Prices
In the left sidebar, under Fundraising Modules, click Online Auction to reach Item Catalog. Open an item. In Bid Panel (Preview), set Starting Bid ($) and Buy Now Price ($). The helper says at least one price.
How to Upload Images to Auction Items
In the left sidebar, under Fundraising Modules, click Online Auction to reach Item Catalog. Open an item, then use Item Image. Upload files or drag and drop. PNG, JPG, GIF.
Managing Donors and Donor Reports
In the left sidebar, under Fundraising Modules, click Online Auction. Open the Donors tab. Add donor details on an item under Donor Information (Optional). There is no Add, Export, or Filter button on Donors.
Uploading and Managing Images and Media
Add photos on each item with Item Image. In the left sidebar, under Fundraising Modules, click Online Auction. PNG, JPG, GIF. Upload files or drag and drop. On a phone, Take Photo.
Using Risk Free Consignment Items
Auction items can be donor gifts, items you buy, or Risk Free consignment from CharityAuctions. In the left sidebar, under Fundraising Modules, click Online Auction. Then open the Risk Free Items tab.
Payments
Can Bidders Pay Right Away?
Yes. Invoices are generated as soon as bidding ends. Bidders receive email and SMS with a payment link and can pay immediately. Most invoices are paid within minutes.
Credit Card Processing in CharityAuctions
Bidders pay with the card and wallet methods already on your connected Stripe account. From Campaign Hub, in the left sidebar, under CAMPAIGN, click Campaign Settings. Open the Payments tab. Click Connect Stripe.
How do I set up direct deposit?
This is for when CharityAuctions collected the money. From the dashboard, click Manage auction. In the left sidebar, under TOOLS, click Invoices & Payouts. Open the Payouts tab. After you request a payout, the CharityAuctions team reviews it. After approval, usually 24 to 48 hours, they send a Stripe secure link so you can connect ACH banking info.
How Payouts Work in CharityAuctions
The Payouts tab is only there if CharityAuctions collected the money. There is a 7 to 14 day hold before funds are available to send. Then Request Payout on TOOLS, Invoices & Payouts, then Payouts. After Request Payout, a 24 to 48 hour review, then the Stripe ACH link. If you connected your own Stripe, there is no Payouts tab. Funds are available in 48 to 72 hours.
How to Issue a Refund to a Bidder
Refunds are processed by CharityAuctions support—not from the admin dashboard. Contact support with auction name, bidder info, invoice number, amount, and reason. Full or partial refunds available.
How to Resend an Invoice to a Winning Bidder
From the dashboard, click Manage auction. In the left sidebar, under TOOLS, click Invoices & Payouts. You land on Invoices. Chairs see every invoice created in that auction. Status is Paid or Pending. For an unpaid invoice, click View Invoice. In the lower right corner, click Send Reminder. CharityAuctions also sends 3 payment reminders in 3 consecutive days.
Managing Invoices and Collecting Payments
Yes, bidders can pay cash offline to your organization. Then mark the invoice paid. From Campaign Hub, under TOOLS, click Invoices & Payouts. Click View Invoice. In the lower right of Invoice Details, click Mark as Paid so unpaid reminders stop.
Receiving Auction Payouts
How you receive funds depends on who collected the money. If you connected your own Stripe, there is no Payouts tab. Funds are available in 48 to 72 hours. If CharityAuctions collected the money, there is a 7 to 14 day hold before funds are available to send. Then Request Payout on TOOLS, Invoices & Payouts, then Payouts.
Require Immediate Payment for Buy Now Items
Control whether Buy Now purchases require immediate payment or are added to the final invoice. Toggle Instant Buy Now Payment in Auction Setup > Global Settings. Default is ON.
What Payment Methods Are Supported?
You collect with the payment methods already set up on your Stripe account. Examples of methods Stripe accounts often have include credit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. From Campaign Hub, in the left sidebar, under CAMPAIGN, click Campaign Settings. Open the Payments tab. Click Connect Stripe.
When Will I Receive My Auction Funds?
Timing depends on who collected the money. If you connected your own Stripe, funds are available in 48 to 72 hours. If CharityAuctions collected the money, there is a 7 to 14 day hold before funds are available to send. Then you request a payout. After Request Payout, a 24 to 48 hour review, then the Stripe ACH link.
Why Don't I See Payment Settings in My Account?
Payment settings are not in your personal account. They live on the auction. From the dashboard, click Manage auction. In the left sidebar, under CAMPAIGN, click Campaign Settings. Open the Payments tab. If you click Connect Stripe, bidder payments go to your Stripe account and there is no Payouts tab. If CharityAuctions collected the money, the Payouts tab is there.
Pricing
CharityAuctions Plans: 5%, $499+3%, and Custom 0%
Current CharityAuctions plans: Nothing Out of Pocket 5%, Prepay $499+3%, and Custom 0%. Same auction features. No optional tip prompts at checkout.
How Fees Work on CharityAuctions (No Optional Tips)
CharityAuctions does not use optional tip prompts at checkout. Current plans are Nothing Out of Pocket 5%, Prepay $499+3%, and Custom 0%.
Reporting
Auction Reports and Data Exports
From the dashboard, click Manage auction. In the left sidebar, under CAMPAIGN, click Activity Feed. There is no sidebar item named Post Event Tasks. The tabs are Live Visitors, Live Analytics, Financial Summary, Item Performance, Bidder Activity, Bid History, and Downloads. File exports are on Downloads. Each listed export shows Excel and a Download button.
How to Export Bidder and Payment Reports
From the dashboard, click Manage auction. In the left sidebar, under CAMPAIGN, click Activity Feed. Open the Downloads tab. File exports are there. Each listed export shows Excel and a Download button. There is no sidebar item named Post Event Tasks or Download Reports.
How to See Bids (Bid History)
To see bids, open Activity Feed, then Bid History. From Campaign Hub, in the left sidebar, under CAMPAIGN, click Activity Feed. Open the Bid History tab. Expand an item to see each bidder, amount, and date and time.
Setup
Can I Change Font Colors in My Auction?
Yes. Change font colors from Design & Promote > Design Event Page. Use theme colors, accent colors, or custom hex codes to match your organization's branding.
Getting Started with CharityAuctions
Learn how to create your first charity auction in CharityAuctions. Step-by-step setup for items, bidding, and checkout.
How to Add a Donation Button
Let guests give without bidding. From Campaign Hub, in the left sidebar, under Fundraising Modules, click Donation Button. Turn on Enable Donation Button, set amounts and copy, then Save.
How to Add or Edit Auction Administrators
From Campaign Hub, in the left sidebar, under TOOLS, click Invite Team. Enter Email Address. Choose Access level Staff or Volunteer. Click Send Invitation. Register with that same email, then accept on Auctions I'm Managing. If the portal shows active but pending registration, accept the invite with the matching email. Check spam if the invite is missing.
How to Change the Social Media Image
The social media image for your auction link is your event banner. From Campaign Hub, under CAMPAIGN, click Campaign Settings. Open Page Branding. Open Main Banner. Choose Upload Custom Banner, then Upload Banner or Change Banner.
How to Contact CharityAuctions Support
Call the CharityAuctions support phone number at 1-844-234-2335. Email support@charityauctions.com. Office hours are the same as live chat hours: Monday through Friday 8am to 6pm CT. Book a 15-minute support call or go to Talk to Us.
How to Delete Your CharityAuctions Account
Go to charityauctions.com/bidder/dashboard. That page is Auctions I'm Managing. Click your name or initials chip in the top right. Click Edit Profile. Scroll to Account Deletion. Deleting your account is permanent and cannot be undone.
How to Preview Your Auction
If you cannot see the auction you already set up, open Online Auction and click Preview in the top right. That opens the guest event page so you can review what bidders see.