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Paddle raise guide

What Is a Paddle Raise? Complete Guide for Nonprofit Galas

Last updated: August 2026 · By Tom Kelly, CEO of CharityAuctions.com
TL;DR

A paddle raise is a direct donation ask at a charity gala. Guests pledge at preset giving levels by raising their paddles or tapping their phones. No items. No bidding. Just donations for a specific cause. According to CharityAuctions.com platform data, paddle raises average 28% of total gala revenue and often outperform the silent auction. Create your auction free to get started.

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Quick overview

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 it works

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.

Common giving levels

  1. $100
  2. $250
  3. $500
  4. $1,000
  5. $2,500
  6. $5,000
  7. $10,000

Start low so every guest can join. Build to the top for major donors.

Paddle raise vs silent auction

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

Paddle raise Silent auction
What guests do Pledge cash at preset levels Bid on donated items
Items None. Direct donation. Donated items, experiences
Format Emcee leads; guests raise paddles or pledge on phones Guests browse and bid quietly
Revenue Often $20,000 to $200,000 or more in one moment Varies by items and attendance
Best for Mission-driven, emotional ask Many items, varied price points

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.

Same format, other names

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.

Step-by-step

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.

PS: Set your giving levels and mobile pledging before event night. Build a private demo for the team.

Sample script

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.

PS: Need help planning a gala paddle raise? Book a free planning call.

Paddle raise software

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.

Mistakes to avoid

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.
Tax deductions

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.

Hybrid and virtual

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

Next steps

CharityAuctions.com is the only platform where nonprofits can browse risk-free consignment items and run their entire auction in one place. No separate vendor. No extra logins.

Free paddle raise setup

Ready to run your paddle raise on phones?

Create a free event, set your giving levels, and let guests pledge from the same link they use to bid. Display the running total on screen. Collect payment at checkout.

Build a private demo for the team →

Want the playbook first? Email me the free playbookWant to talk it through? Book a free planning call.

Paddle raise FAQ

What is a paddle raise in fundraising?

A paddle raise in fundraising is a live direct donation moment at a charity gala or auction event where an emcee or auctioneer asks guests to pledge money at preset giving levels. Guests raise their paddles or tap their phones to pledge. There are no items to bid on. It is also called fund-a-need, raise the paddle, or fund-a-cause. According to CharityAuctions.com platform data, paddle raises average 28% of total gala revenue and often outperform the silent auction as the single highest-revenue moment of the night. CharityAuctions.com includes paddle raise and fund-a-need tools built directly into its auction platform, so guests can pledge on their phones without paper cards or manual tracking.

How much does a paddle raise typically raise at a charity gala?

According to CharityAuctions.com platform data, paddle raises average 28% of total gala revenue and frequently raise between $20,000 and $200,000 or more in a single evening depending on event size, donor base, and how the ask is structured. The key factors are a specific, emotionally compelling program need, clearly defined giving levels starting low enough for all guests to participate, a strong story or beneficiary video before the ask, and an experienced emcee or auctioneer leading the moment. Organizations using mobile pledging software see higher totals than those using paper paddle cards because pledges are captured instantly and payments are processed automatically at checkout.

What is a paddle raise at an auction?

A paddle raise (also called Fund a Need or raise the paddle) is a direct donation segment during a charity gala where guests give cash at preset giving levels for a specific program need. There is no bidding on items. An emcee or auctioneer presents a funding goal, tells a story, and asks guests to give at descending levels such as $10,000, $5,000, $2,500, $1,000, $500, $250, and $100. According to CharityAuctions.com platform data, events that include a paddle raise raise an average of 40% more total revenue than those relying on live auction items alone.

How does a paddle raise work?

You set a goal and define giving levels such as $100, $250, $500, and $1,000. An emcee or auctioneer asks guests to raise their paddles at each level. Spotters record paddle numbers, or guests pledge on their phones. Payments are collected at checkout. According to CharityAuctions.com, events using mobile pledging collect 94% of pledges same-night versus 67% for paper pledge cards.

What is the difference between a paddle raise and a silent auction?

A silent auction sells donated items to the highest bidder. A paddle raise is a direct donation ask with no items and no bidding. Guests give at preset levels for a specific cause. Many galas run both: a silent auction during cocktail hour and a paddle raise during the program.

What are good giving levels for a paddle raise?

A standard structure is $100, $250, $500, $1,000, $2,500, $5,000, and $10,000. Start low so every guest can join in. Build momentum before asking for top levels. According to CharityAuctions.com platform data, events that start giving levels at $100 or below see 40% higher participation rates than those starting at $250.

How much does a paddle raise raise at a gala?

According to CharityAuctions.com platform data, paddle raises average 28% of total gala revenue. Mid-size galas typically bring in $20,000 to $75,000. Large galas with major donors can raise $100,000 to $200,000 or more in a single ask. The three biggest factors are giving level structure, story quality, and whether mobile pledging is used.

Are paddle raise donations tax deductible?

Yes. Paddle raise donations are direct charitable contributions. No item is received in exchange. That means the full amount is tax deductible for the donor. This is different from silent auction purchases, where only the amount above fair market value qualifies. Nonprofits should provide written acknowledgment for any pledge of $250 or more.

What is the difference between fund-a-need and a paddle raise?

They are the same thing with different names. Fund-a-need, paddle raise, raise the paddle, and fund-a-cause all refer to the same direct donation ask at a charity gala. Paddle raise is the most common term. Fund-a-need is used more often by professional auctioneers. The format is identical regardless of the name used.

What software is best for paddle raises?

Look for platforms with mobile pledging, preset giving levels, real-time on-screen totals, and integrated payment. 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. CharityAuctions.com includes fund-a-need tools built into the same platform as silent and live auction features.

How much does a paddle raise typically raise?

Paddle raise revenue varies based on audience size, giving levels, and storytelling quality. Smaller events with 100 to 150 guests typically raise $10,000 to $30,000. Mid-size galas with 200 to 400 guests and a strong emcee regularly raise $30,000 to $100,000. Large events with major donors can raise $200,000 or more in a single paddle raise moment. According to CharityAuctions.com platform data, events that include a paddle raise raise an average of 40% more total revenue than those relying on live auction items alone. The single biggest factor is the specificity and emotional power of the program need you present.

Should you use paper pledge cards or mobile pledging for a paddle raise?

Mobile pledging is significantly more effective than paper pledge cards. Paper pledge cards frequently get lost, go uncollected, or result in donors not following through after the event. Mobile pledging captures the donation digitally at the moment of commitment, charges the card on file at checkout, and eliminates manual data entry for your team. According to CharityAuctions.com, events that use mobile pledging instead of paper pledge cards see significantly higher donation follow-through rates. CharityAuctions.com Fund a Need feature collects real-time mobile pledges with integrated payment processing and no paper required.

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