Have you ever hosted an auction to raise money for your nonprofit organization? Planning and pulling off a successful event can be a lot of work. Luckily, powerful charity auction websites exist for the sole purpose of simplifying the process.
Auction events have incredible potential to dramatically increase your organization’s fundraising revenue. Between unique auction items and eager bidders, your event is sure to provoke some friendly competition and bring in a significant amount of fundraising dollars— so long as you have the right tools to manage it.
That’s why charity auction websites are every nonprofit’s best friend when it comes to planning and executing such events. From event registration forms and ticketing to auction item payment processing and everything in between, there’s nothing a top online charity auction site can’t handle.
Here at Snowball, we have years of experience working with small- to mid-sized nonprofits and their fundraising teams. Plus, we’ve watched and assisted as organizations across the globe have begun shifting to virtual fundraising solutions in droves.
So what does that mean for your charity auction website selection? We know a thing or two about choosing the right auction software provider for your cause! Let’s walk through thirteen of our favorites:
As we discuss these top providers, be sure to make note of the benefits and drawbacks of each. That way, you’ll be able to make a better-informed decision for your own organization’s upcoming fundraisers and equip your team with the tools you’ll need to succeed.
But before we dive in, let’s answer a few simple questions to set the tone for the rest of your research.
Why are charity auction websites important?
Charity auction websites offer the user the ability to significantly simplify their fundraising event planning process. By providing auction catalog building resources, online and mobile bidding functionality, real-time notifications for participants, streamlined checkout tools, and more, the right auction site has everything you need to pull off the perfect auction.
Plus, with more and more fundraising events (auctions included) moving to the virtual realm due to the outbreak of COVID-19, your online tools are of significantly increased importance.
What is the best online auction site?
Although the “best” of anything is subjective, the best online auction site will be the one that provides the highest levels of functionality for the lowest prices. That way, you can raise more for your cause while spending less of your overall fundraising budget.
Overall, the decision comes down to finding the auction tools that most closely align with your auction fundraising plan. For example, are you hosting a live or a silent auction? Will your event be in-person or virtual?
That being said, we’ll be sure to analyze the features and pricing packages offered by some of the top auction sites in the industry to help you make your choice. But we’ll give you a hint—out of all the charity auction websites out there, our favorite is Snowball!
Best Charity Auction Websites
Here, we’ve compiled a list of top charity auction websites along with a brief overview, standout features, and pricing summary for each.
Now, without further ado, let’s dive into our thirteen favorite auction sites and the key details that make each one unique.
1. Snowball
An Overview of This Charity Auction Website
Snowball Fundraising’s online auction tools offer hands down the biggest bang for your buck. Snowball has long been known for its powerful suite of free and low-cost fundraising software, and its package has recently expanded to include complete charity auction website functionality.
With our silent auction toolkit in hand, your team will be able to pull off some of the most successful fundraising events you’ve ever seen. That means you can raise more for your cause without breaking the bank from overpriced tools.
Key Features
Snowball’s auction tools include a number of standout features to help your team raise more funds and better engage your audience. Here are just a few of our favorites:
- Online and mobile (text-to-bid) functionality
- Real-time notifications when a guest has won or been outbid
- Ability to add photos and descriptions of items to an online catalog
- Compilation and easy-to-read reports of fundraising data
- Streamlined checkout and payment processing tools
In addition to these auction-specific functions, investing in a Snowball plan unlocks features such as text-to-give, online donation pages, fundraising thermometers, and event ticketing.
Pricing
Snowball offers its charity auction website functionality as an add-on package to any Snowball account, including both the Essential and the Premium plan. Contact the Snowball team today for a detailed quote to get started.
2. Handbid
An Overview of This Charity Auction Website
Handbid is a dedicated auction and event solutions platform for mid-sized to large organizations. Handbid offers a variety of solutions for various types of organizations and their needs. For example, you can choose a year-long subscription plan depending on the number of auctions (in addition to non-auction events) and the items you’d like to include.
Or, for a more comprehensive solution, you can purchase their “Auction-in-a-Box” for $5,995.
Key Features
Handbid’s auction packages include the following features:
- Live video streaming tools
- App- or web-based bidding
- A remote auction management system
Then, depending on the package you choose, you’ll have the ability to host a set number of auctions (with a limited number of items) and additional events as well.
Pricing
Handbid offers several auction plans with pricing beginning at $695/year, with additional packages going up to more than $2,495/year. Or, you might want to consider the previously mentioned “Auction-in-a-Box” solution.
3. OneCause
An Overview of This Charity Auction Website
OneCause offers a high-quality charity auction website with mobile bidding and auction software to simplify your fundraising event. From item procurement to emailed donor receipts, their online charity auction site can help your organization manage most every aspect of your event.
Key Features
The OneCause platform allows you to:
- Send notifications to donors
- View previous receipts
- Track your donations
Plus, with OneCause, you have the option to track the winning bids and sold items in your online charity auction software!
Pricing
OneCause offers four different auction packages, ranging from a “Do-it-Yourself” package to a “Full Service” plan. The price ranges increase depending on the level of functionality you’re looking for.
4. Qgiv
An Overview of This Charity Auction Website
Qgiv provides a silent auction website, mobile bidding app, and event management software solution. This way, participants and fundraisers will have all the tools they need to run a successful virtual auction experience.
Key Features
Qgiv’s online auction platform provides the following features:
- Real-time bidding
- Guest registration
- Simplified checkout
Plus, Qgiv provides organizations the opportunity to incorporate a Fund-a-Need option within their mobile auction experiences.
Pricing
Qgiv’s auction package begins at $229/month, or it can be bundled with their other packages (which includes data reporting, mobile giving, and peer-to-peer fundraising) for $399/month.
5. Charity Bids
An Overview of This Charity Auction Website
Charity Bids’ online charity auction site is backed by a team of nonprofit professionals with years of experience ready to create the most effective strategy for you. During the pre-event stage, Charity Bids will help your organization thoroughly understand your target audience and acquire the right packages that will drive bids up!
Then, their concierge team works with your winners post-auction to schedule their auction trip packages at their convenience!
Key Features
Charity Bids’ charity auction website allows you to:
- Consult with fundraising experts during the planning process
- Select from their extensive auction packages
- Utilize their full-service travel concierges
The Charity Bids team works to help yours before, during, and after your fundraising event to raise more and provide guests with an excellent experience.
Pricing
CharityBids provides nonprofits with risk-free auction consignment packages, meaning that they don’t take a cut until after you’ve collected your revenue. At that point, they take a percentage of the item price for their own team.
6. eFlea
An Overview of This Charity Auction Website
eFlea’s online charity auction website helps your organization manage your event from planning to execution and promotion. With an easy-to-use interface and round-the-clock bidder access, you can easily upload auction items so that your supporters can place bids at any time.
Key Features
The eFlea platform provides the following key features:
- Multi-currency support
- Email and SMS notifications
- Social media integration and sharing
eFlea has helped raise over $6.2 million for charitable causes with their online platform thanks to these powerful features (and more).
Pricing
eFlea provides basic online auction features for no cost to registered not-for-profit organizations in the U.S., Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa (although participants can be located anywhere in the world!).
7. Givergy
An Overview of This Charity Auction Website
Givergy’s mobile-friendly auction platform allows donors to easily browse your catalog, place bids, and share your auction information on social media. Their online charity auction software is all about making the bidding experience easier for your donors with remote bidding.
Key Features
Givergy’s online auction site offers the following features:
- Auction item procurement
- Ticketing and event check-in
- Sealed bidding functionality
Givergy’s online charity auction site is completely customizable to your nonprofit. You can keep the page as a standalone event or tack it onto a bigger campaign!
Pricing
Givergy collects 15% of the total revenue collected through your charity auctions, which includes transaction fees.
8. Benefit Events
An Overview of This Charity Auction Website
Benefit Events originated as an art auction service for nonprofits and has since kept their creative visions while opening their solutions to the broader spectrum of online auctions for nonprofits. Their team helps your organization promote and market your event while raising the most you can to help your communities in need.
Key Features
Benefit Events provides the following key features:
- Custom winning bidder notifications
- Direct donor data entry
- Secure payment processing through Stripe
Benefit Events is dedicated to helping you raise money and host a successful online auction with these features and more!
Pricing
Benefit Events’ pricing depends on the amount of revenue brought in through your auction. A $500 flat fee is collected for auctions collecting less than $6,250. Then, from $6,250 to $25,000, 8% of bids are directed toward the platform fee. Finally, for auctions bringing in more than $25,000, 5% is collected for the platform fee. The rest goes to your mission!
9. WeDo Charity Auctions
An Overview of This Charity Auction Website
WeDo Charity Auctions takes your auction to the next level with the ability to create and manage guest lists and host pre-bidding before your event. With their software solutions, you can organize and maintain your ticket, auction item, and other sales all in one centralized location. Plus, they offer real-time reporting so you can know what your donors are bidding on as they do.
Key Features
WeDo Charity Auctions provides the following key features:
- Convenient in-event messaging
- In-person or live-streamed mobile bidding
- Streamlined check-in and checkout
This charity auction website has the features you need to run a successful auction, whether it’s a virtual or in-person one!
Pricing
WeDo Charity Auctions’ pricing depends on the functions you’ll need for your event, beginning at $1,800. Be sure to contact their team for a detailed quote.
10. SchoolAuction
An Overview of This Charity Auction Website
SchoolAuction’s cloud-based silent auction site lets you simplify the planning and hosting of your silent auction event. That way, you can set table arrangements, log items into your catalog, or check up on bids from your laptop, phone, or tablet.
Plus, SchoolAuction lets you mix paper auctions with mobile bidding so you can cater to your event to each individual bidder!
Key Features
SchoolAuction provides the following important features:
- Customizable auction website creation
- Online and mobile bidding
- Speedy self-checkout process
The team at SchoolAuction wants to make sure your event runs smoothly by offering these features—and more.
Pricing
SchoolAuction offers two subscription packages—the Plus for $1,500/year and the Premium for $2,500/year.
11. MaestroAuction
An Overview of This Charity Auction Website
Text2Bid by MaestroAuction, MaestroSoft’s dedicated charity auction site, gives your organization the tools needed to plan and execute a terrific auction event. With MaestroAuction, your organization can track every procured item with descriptions, restrictions, and monetary values.
Key Features
MaestroAuction’s charity auction site includes the following features:
- Virtual auction management functionality
- Live and virtual auctioneers
- Auction item procurement resources
With MaestroAuction, you’ll know both your event and your bidders like the back of your hand.
Pricing
MaestroAuction pricing depends on the length of the subscription you’re seeking. For 90 days, you can subscribe for $399, while a 3-year subscription could be purchased for $2,499.
12. Qtego
An Overview of This Charity Auction Website
Qtego markets themselves as “American’s #1 mobile bidding platform,” offering easily managed events with satisfied guests and incredible donations. Their intuitive interface simplifies the event planning process for both your organization and your donors. Plus, their auction site streamlines registration, event management, and checkout processes.
Key Features
Qtego’s charity auction site includes these key features:
- Text-to-bid solutions
- Management of in-person, virtual, and hybrid events
- Live-streamed video tools
Upgrading from paper bid sheets and an old fashioned silent auction to Qtego’s software solutions will bring your auction to the next level.
Pricing
Qtego offers a variety of features at different price ranges. Be sure to contact their team to learn more about their pricing packages.
13. Go Charity
An Overview of This Charity Auction Website
GoCharity, while not strictly a charity auction website, provides easy, hassle-free options for auction items. They label themselves as a “complete, one-stop consignment based vendor.” With over 40 years in the charity auction industry, GoCharity holds your hand throughout your entire event to make sure the auction is running smoothly.
Key Features
GoCharity provides the following auction website features:
- Front-door delivery services
- A comprehensive catalog of auction items
- On- and off-site auction management
GoCharity prides themselves on their professionalism, so when working with their team, you’re sure to receive white-glove service.
Pricing
GoCharity has three different auction plans, each with its own fees—off-site involvement, on-site auction management, and on-site mobile bidding management. Contact their team to find out which is right for your auction!
Now that you have the inside scoop on some of the most popular charity auction websites, your event is sure to be a success! Remember that your event, while certainly about raising money, should also retain a focus on donor stewardship. That means making sure your donors enjoy your auction is crucial, too. And the best way to ensure this is by investing in top virtual auction tools!
If you’re interested in learning more about fundraising, check out these additional resources:
- Text-to-Give | Complete Guide for Nonprofits and Fundraisers. Just like mobile bidding functionality, text-to-give fundraising provides your donors with the tools required to support your organization at any time, and from anywhere. Read more in our complete guide.
- Free Fundraising Software for Nonprofits: Top Providers. If you’re looking to expand your fundraising toolkit without draining your nonprofit bank account, be sure to check out this list of free and low-cost solutions. You’ll be raising more in no time!
- Matching Gift Databases: What to Look for (+ Our Top Picks). Did you know that an estimated $4-7 billion in matching gift funding is left unclaimed each year? If your organization has yet to explore this often overlooked source of revenue, now is the time to do so.
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