What Is a Paddle Raise? The Complete Fundraiser Guide

A paddle raise is a direct donation ask during a charity gala where guests pledge money at preset levels by raising their paddles or pledging on their phones. It is also called Fund a Need, raise the paddle, or fund-a-cause. Unlike a silent or live auction, there are no items to bid on. Guests give cash donations directly for a specific program need.

According to CharityAuctions.com platform data, paddle raises average 28% of total gala revenue. Many organizations raise more from the paddle raise than from the silent auction.

The energy in the room drives giving. A strong story, a clear goal, and the right software can bring in $20,000 to $200,000 or more in a single evening. Learn more about paddle raise fundraising and how to plan one.

How does a paddle raise work?

Understanding how does a paddle raise work helps you plan one. It also helps you run it well.

1. Choose a specific need. Pick one program, project, or cause. "Fund our after-school program" works better than "support our mission."

2. Set a goal. Name a dollar amount. "$50,000 to send 100 kids to camp" is more compelling than "give what you can."

3. Define giving levels. Common levels: $100, $250, $500, $1,000, $2,500, $5,000, $10,000. Start low so everyone can join in. End high for major donors.

4. Tell the story. Play a short video. Bring a beneficiary on stage. Connect donors to the impact.

5. Lead the ask. An emcee or auctioneer asks guests to raise their paddles at each level. "Who will give $100?" Pause. "Who will give $250?" Build momentum.

6. Capture donations. Spotters record paddle numbers, or guests pledge on their phones. Modern paddle raise software captures pledges instantly with no paper and no manual entry. According to CharityAuctions.com platform data, events using mobile pledging collect 94% of pledges same-night versus 67% for paper pledge cards.

7. Thank donors and collect payment. Acknowledge the room. Process payments at checkout or send follow-up invoices.

According to CharityAuctions.com platform data:

• Events that include a paddle raise raise an average of 40% more total revenue than live auction items alone
• 62% of auction attendees make a donation or pledge in response to a live appeal
• Events that use mobile pledging instead of paper pledge cards see significantly higher donation follow-through rates
• CharityAuctions.com has helped nonprofits raise over $1 billion since 2007 across live, online, and hybrid auction formats

See charity auction ROI data for full benchmarks on what paddle raises and live auctions raise.

Live auction how-to covers how to sequence a paddle raise with your live auction. Many galas run: silent auction, dinner, program, paddle raise, live auction, then checkout.

Paddle raise vs. silent auction: what is the difference?

Many events run both. A paddle raise fundraiser fits after a mission video or beneficiary story. A silent auction runs during cocktail hour or dinner. How to run a charity auction covers the full flow.

What is fund-a-need? (Paddle raise by another name)

Fund-a-need is the same as a paddle raise. The format is identical. The name is different.

Paddle raise is the most common term. Fund-a-need is used more often by professional auctioneers. Some groups call it raise the paddle or fund-a-cause.

All four names describe the same direct donation ask at a charity gala. Use whichever name your audience knows. The steps, giving levels, and software are the same either way.

How do you run a paddle raise? Step-by-step

1. Pick your need. One program. One project. One clear outcome. "Fund our scholarship fund" or "Buy a new van for our food bank."

2. Set your goal and levels. "$75,000 for 50 scholarships." Levels: $100, $250, $500, $1,000, $2,500, $5,000, $10,000. Adjust for your audience.

3. Create your story. A two to three minute video. A beneficiary on stage. Photos. Make it real. Rehearse.

4. Brief your emcee or auctioneer. They lead the ask. They should know your levels, your goal, and when to pause. Live auction how-to includes a sample timeline.

5. Use paddle raise software. CharityAuctions features include fund-a-need tools. Guests pledge on their phones. No paper. No manual entry. Real-time totals. Integrated payment.

6. Run the ask. Emcee presents the need. Plays the video. Asks for each level. Spotters or mobile capture pledges. Build from $100 up to $10,000.

7. Thank donors. Acknowledge the room. Share the total. Move to the next program part or checkout.

8. Collect payment. If using mobile pledging, payments are captured at registration or checkout. If using paper, follow up with invoices within 48 hours. See how to plan your charity auction for a complete event planning checklist that includes paddle raise timing and program sequencing.

What do you say during a paddle raise? (Sample script)

The emcee or auctioneer leads the ask. Here is a simple script to follow:

Open with the need: "Tonight we have one goal. We need $50,000 to send 100 kids to summer camp. Every dollar raised goes directly to that program."

Share the story: Play a short video or bring a beneficiary on stage. Keep it to two to three minutes. Make it real.

Start the ask: "I am going to ask you to raise your paddle. Start wherever you can. Every level matters."

Call each level: "Who will give $5,000 tonight?" Pause. Look around. Acknowledge each paddle. "Thank you. Who will give $2,500?" Pause. Continue down through each level.

Close strong: "Because of you, 100 kids will go to camp this summer. Thank you."

A rehearsed, confident ask with a strong story beats an improvised one every time. According to CharityAuctions.com platform data, events with a prepared script and story raise an average of 34% more during the paddle raise segment than those without one.

What software is best for paddle raises?

The best paddle raise software for nonprofits includes:

• Mobile pledging. Guests pledge on their phones. No paper. No lost pledge cards.
• Giving levels. Pre-set levels ($100, $250, $500, etc.) so the ask is clear.
• Real-time totals. Display the running total on screen. Creates momentum.
• Integrated payment. Card on file at registration. Pledges charged at checkout. No manual follow-up.
• Fund-a-need / paddle raise mode. Built into the same platform as your silent and live auction. One event, one checkout.

According to CharityAuctions.com platform data, events with real-time pledge totals displayed on screen raise an average of 34% more during the paddle raise segment than those without. The right software makes that possible.

CharityAuctions includes paddle raise and fund-a-need features with mobile bidding for charity auctions, including setup steps and how to integrate mobile pledging into your event day workflow. Guests register once, bid on silent items, pledge during the paddle raise, and pay at checkout. All from their phones. See our features for details. Launch your auction in 30 minutes to get started.

Common paddle raise mistakes to avoid

• Vague ask. "Support our mission" is weak. "Fund 50 scholarships so kids can attend camp" is specific. Name the need and the outcome.
• Skipping the story. Emotion drives giving. Play a video. Bring a beneficiary on stage. Connect donors to impact before the ask.
• Starting too high. Begin at $100 or $250 so everyone can participate. Build momentum before asking for $5,000 and $10,000.
• Rushing the ask. Pause at each level. Let people raise their paddles. Give spotters time to record. Silence creates urgency.
• Paper pledge cards. They get lost. Use mobile pledging so guests pledge on their phones. Payments are captured automatically.

Are paddle raise donations tax deductible?

Yes. Paddle raise donations are direct charitable contributions. The donor receives no item in return. That means the full amount is tax deductible.

This is different from a silent auction purchase. In a silent auction, only the amount paid above fair market value qualifies as a deductible donation. A paddle raise pledge is 100% deductible.

Your nonprofit should provide written acknowledgment for any pledge of $250 or more. Good auction software generates receipts automatically at checkout. See our charity auction platform pricing guide for platforms that include receipt generation.

Paddle raise for hybrid and virtual events

Raise the paddle works for in-person galas. It also works for hybrid auctions and virtual events. Remote guests can pledge via the same mobile link they use for bidding.

Your software puts in-room and online pledges into one total. Hybrid auctions makes this seamless: one platform, one catalog, one paddle raise, one checkout.

Next steps

• Paddle raise fundraiser: Pillar guide to paddle raise fundraising
• Silent auction software: Compare platforms for silent, live, and paddle raise
• Live auction tools: Master live auctions and paddle raise timing
• Hybrid auctions: Combine in-person and online for paddle raise and bidding
• CharityAuctions features: Paddle raise, mobile bidding, checkout
• Launch auction in 30 min: Quick setup for your next event