CharityAuctionsToday

What CharityAuctionsToday is

CharityAuctionsToday is web-based auction software for nonprofits, schools, and PTOs running silent, live, or hybrid fundraisers. Its event workspace brings ticketing, attendee management, auctions, donations, raffles, paddle raises, checkout, and reporting together. Guests can browse, bid, donate, get alerts, and pay in a phone browser through a link or QR code, without downloading an app. Organizers can set ticket types and seating, import attendees, assign bidder numbers, and check guests in by QR code.

The platform supports automatic bidding and online auctions. Listed integrations include Constant Contact, QuickBooks, Xero, Stripe, PayPal, and DonorBooks. Checkout uses Stripe; the maker says raw card numbers are not stored on its platform. Its listed protections include PCI DSS compliance, Stripe-secured card and mobile-wallet payments, fraud monitoring, admin permissions, refund management, and chargeback prevention measures. Support includes setup guidance, training, live-event help, and Product Expert or configuration calls. A free account lets users explore an event preview without a credit card, and the preview can be deleted in one click.

Nothing Out of Pocket has no upfront cost and is billed as a 5% success fee on funds raised. Prepay and Save is $499, paid once, billed $499 plus a 3% success fee. Both plans include fundraising modules, but Message Blast is included only with Prepay and Save. Founded in 2007 by Tom Kelly, the company is based in the Chicago area; it was formerly known as CharityAuctionsToday.

Who it suits

CharityAuctionsToday suits volunteer PTA, school, and small nonprofit chairs organizing silent, live, or hybrid auctions. The maker targets events raising roughly $1,000 to $75,000, with Nothing Out of Pocket aimed at $1,000 to $24,000 and Prepay and Save aimed at events raising $25,000 or more.

Limits

The free account provides an event preview. Nothing Out of Pocket has no upfront cost and charges a 5% success fee on funds raised. Prepay and Save is $499, paid once, billed $499 plus a 3% success fee; Message Blast is included only with this plan.

Getting started

1. Visit the CharityAuctionsToday website.
2. Create a free account to explore an event preview; no credit card is required.
3. Choose Nothing Out of Pocket or Prepay and Save for a fundraising event.
4. Use the event setup and configuration included with Prepay and Save, if choosing that plan.
5. Share a link or QR code so guests can browse and bid in a phone browser.

Verdict

Nonprofits, schools, and PTOs seeking auction and event tools in one web workspace should consider CharityAuctionsToday. Nothing Out of Pocket avoids an upfront charge but bills a 5% success fee; Prepay and Save costs $499, paid once and bills $499 plus a 3% success fee. Message Blast is available only with Prepay and Save.