10 Best Online Charity Auction Sites [2024 Updated]

Charity auctions provide an excellent way for nonprofits to raise funds and support their cause and an opportunity for donors to get involved and show their support. And with the rise of online fundraising, charity auctions have never been more accessible. This blog will dive into the exciting world of online charity auctions, explore their benefits, and highlight the best ten platforms to host them. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or new to the auction game, we’ve got you covered with key strengths of each platform to help you make the most out of your next auction. So, get ready to bid on a good cause and make a difference!

What is a Charity Online Auction?

An online charity auction is a virtual event allowing organizations to auction items and services to their supporters. These auctions occur entirely online, allowing supporters to bid on items from anywhere.

Benefits of Taking Your Charity Auction Online

There are several benefits to hosting a charity auction online, including:

• Increased Reach: Online charity auctions have a broader reach, allowing you to communicate with more potential supporters and donors.

• Reduced Costs: Online charity auctions eliminate the need for physical venues, catering, and staffing, making them more cost-effective than traditional auctions.

• Greater Convenience: Online charity auctions are more convenient for both the organization and the supporters, as they can participate from anywhere with an internet connection.

What Sets One Online Charity Auction Platform Apart from the Rest?

When it comes to asking yourself what the best online auction site for your organization is, there are a few factors to consider. Here are some of the things that can make one platform stand out from the rest:

• User interface: A well-designed platform with an intuitive user interface can make a huge difference in the success of your auction. The easier it is for donors to navigate and bid, the more likely they are to participate and keep coming back for future events.
• Features: From live streaming to mobile bidding, different platforms offer different features to help you make the most out of your auction.
• Customer support: No matter how great a platform is, you’re bound to run into some issues at some point. Look for a platform with responsive and helpful customer support to ensure you can quickly resolve any issues.
• Pricing: Of course, pricing is always a factor. Different platforms have different pricing models, so consider which fits your budget and expected return on investment. Where possible, try and find comprehensive free auction sites.

Choosing the Best Online Charity Auction Site for Your Nonprofit

With so many online charity auction platforms available, choosing the right one for your organization can be overwhelming. Here are some steps you can take to narrow down your options and make an informed decision:

• Define your goals: What do you hope to achieve with your auction? Do you have a fundraising goal in mind? Do you want to reach a wider audience? Understanding your goals can help you prioritize the most important features and factors.
• Research the options: Take the time to research different platforms and read reviews from other organizations. Look for platforms that have a track record of success and positive feedback from users.
• Consider your audience: Who are your donors? What are their preferences and habits? Consider which platforms will be most accessible and user-friendly for your audience.
• Try before you buy: Many platforms offer free trials or demos, so take advantage of these to test the platform before committing. This can help you get a feel for the site’s user interface and features and ensure it meets your needs.

Best Online Charity Auction Platforms

Let’s take a look at the top ten online charity auction platforms to help you make an informed decision. From the well-known to the up-and-coming, these platforms have different features and benefits to suit your organization’s unique needs. Let’s dive in and discover which platform will help you achieve fundraising success.

DoJiggy 

DoJiggy delivers a powerful charity auction platform designed to help nonprofits and charitable organizations raise funds online. With its user-friendly interface and robust features, DoJiggy is considered one of the best charity auction platforms. Some of its best features include:

• Free customizable auction websites with mobile-friendly bidding for convenient access by bidders
• Automated bidding and outbid notifications by email and SMS to increase participation and fundraising
• QR Code and text to donate features to make mobile bidding easy
• Online payment processing by Stripe
• Detailed reporting and accounting for better financial management
• Free gamification elements (Countdown, Thermometer, Chatter, Livestream)
• Extensive support resources, including live phone and email support, and an online help center

DoJiggy is one of the best free auction sites and a great choice for organizations looking for an easy-to-use, feature-rich, and reliable solution to host online auctions and maximize their fundraising efforts.

Pricing

DoJiggy offers auction software with no subscription fee and takes a 4.9% online auction platform fee.

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BiddingOwl

BiddingOwl is a great charity auction platform option with a user-friendly interface and several features that can help your nonprofit raise funds. Some of its best features include:

• Customizable auction pages
• Mobile bidding options
• Integrated payment processing
• Automated invoicing and donor receipts.

Pricing

BiddingOwl offers free auction software, no subscription fee, and takes a 5% online auction performance fee.

QGiv

Qgiv’s charity auction platform offers an intuitive and customizable online giving experience that makes it easy for donors to donate while keeping costs low for nonprofits. Some of its best features include:

• Real-time bidding with outbid notifications
• Maximum bid settings to avoid going over budget
• In-app or QR code-based check-in and checkout process 
• Customizable auction donation forms and event registration
• On- and off-site bidding

Pricing

Qgiv’s auction suite starts at $259/month with transaction fees of 3.95% +$0.30 per transaction. They also offer more comprehensive plans that include other fundraising tools. Visit their pricing page for more information.

OneCause

OneCause offers mobile bidding auction software designed to help nonprofits and organizations raise funds through online charity auctions. Some of its best features include:

• Customizable auction websites and mobile bidding for easy access by bidders
• Automated bidding and outbid notifications
• Real-time analytics and reporting for better financial management and decision-making
• Dedicated event support and consulting to ensure a successful auction.

Pricing

OneCause provides various pricing packages that are not publicly listed. Arrange a consultation through their website for more information.

BiddingForGood

BiddingForGood is an established charity auction platform that promotes live auctions to its supporter base. Their user-friendly interface and advanced features include:

• Customizable auction websites with easy-to-use bidding functionality for a seamless user experience
• Large auction marketplace
• Automated bidding and outbid notifications
• Comprehensive marketing tools to promote auctions and increase bidder participation
• Extensive reporting and analysis

Pricing

BiddingForGood offers various pricing packages, but they do not disclose pricing on their website. Arrange a consultation through their website for more information.

Handbid

Handbid is an innovative charity auction platform connecting nonprofits with donors using powerful mobile-based tools. This platform focuses on customer support and makes it easy for teams to manage everything from check-in to checkout for live auction events. Here are some of Handbid’s best features:

• Mobile app and mobile-friendly web interface
• Real-time bidding with outbid notifications
• Guestlist management to streamline event check-in and track attendance
• Live streaming capabilities 
• Invoicing and payment processing 

Pricing

Handbid provides various pricing plans and additional staffing options on its website.

Snowball Fundraising

Snowball Fundraising is a comprehensive fundraising platform that includes an easy-to-use charity auction software to make planning and hosting successful charity auctions a breeze. Here are some of Snowball’s best features:

• Real-time mobile bidding with automated notifications when a guest has won or been outbid 
• Comprehensive fundraising data analytics 
• PCI-compliant credit card transaction processing and automatic invoicing and receipts to streamline payment processing
• User-friendly tools like bidding countdowns, social sharing, and “Buy now” options for raffle tickets and on-demand purchases 

Pricing

Snowball Fundraising’s Professional unlimited auction plan starts at $85 per month or $849 per year with transaction fees of 2.5% +$0.30 per transaction.

ClickBid

ClickBid’s charity auction platform offers simplicity to the bidding process, enabling supporters from all over the world to participate in your auction, not just those attending your event. Here are some of ClickBid’s top features:

• Easy bidding process 
• Fund-A-Need display
• Customizable event landing page 
• Mobile check-in and check-out

Pricing

ClickBid provides various pricing options, with the Essentials plan starting at $795 annually.

ReadySetAuction

ReadSetAuction offers a one-stop solution for managing all aspects of your event, including guest management, auction items, and more. Here are some of the best features of this platform:

• Consignment auction items: With JumpStart, ReadySetAuction’s consignment auction feature, you can find and sell risk-free items to boost your fundraising efforts.
• Automated bidding
• Self-checkout: Bidders can easily check out and pay for their items on the platform via desktop or mobile
• Comprehensive event management for all aspects of your charity auction event, including guest management, auction items, and organizing them into “baskets”.

Pricing

While a free trial and various pricing options are available to access the online auction tools on the platform, users must opt for the Complete package, which costs $1,999 annually.

Charity Auctions Today

Charity Auctions Today is a user-friendly and affordable platform that helps anyone run an auction with ease. Here are a few of its top features:

• Pre-event bidding and donation options
• Real-time tracking and outbid notifications for guests.
• Compatibility with desktop, tablet, and mobile devices
• Affordable pricing, making it accessible for nonprofits of all sizes.

Pricing

Charity Auctions Today has free and paid plans, starting at $297 per event. The platform also allows passing on fees to bidders.

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Last Thoughts

Hosting a charity online auction is an effective way for nonprofit organizations to engage their supporters and raise funds. The platforms listed above offer a variety of features and strengths to suit the needs of any organization. Whether you are looking for one of the free online auction sites for nonprofits, an easy-to-use interface, or comprehensive auction management tools, there is a platform out there that can meet your needs.

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