Generosity Works

Generosity Works is event software for charity fundraising evenings, combining auctions, ticketing, pledges and payments. It is best suited to charities running events for roughly 50 to 1,000 people. Its offline event operation and direct-to-charity payments are compelling; its fixed annual licence is a poor fit for occasional users unless they choose the hosted option.

Overview

The platform brings auction bidding, ticket sales, Gift Aid and guest management into one event workflow. Its on-site server lets an evening continue without venue Wi-Fi, while payments go directly to the charity’s Stripe account rather than passing through Generosity Works. That combination suits in-person fundraising events where connectivity and payment handling matter as much as bidding.

The product is designed for events serving roughly 50 to 1,000 people, not multi-day conferences with thousands of delegates. Its virtual auction tools can incorporate video links, but it is not a streaming or broadcast-production system.

Key features

Auctions, pledges and giving

Silent, live and sealed-bid auctions include outbid alerts, anti-snipe protection, tablet mode and bidding without an account. Tiered live pledges, matched giving and a donor wall extend fundraising beyond lots. Automatic HMRC Gift Aid splitting and regular giving by card or standing order make it more capable for charities seeking donations as well as auction bids.

Event operations

Ticket tiers, tables of ten, VIP packages, early-bird pricing and capacity limits cover common event arrangements. Named guests and per-guest QR codes support check-in and seating, while the on-site server avoids dependence on venue Wi-Fi; QR check-in also works without a third-party API. Email, SMS and WhatsApp communications include outbid and closing alerts without a per-message charge.

Payments and records

Charities connect their own Stripe keys, so proceeds settle into their account and Generosity Works adds no transaction fees. Card-on-file, automatic winner charges, Apple Pay, Google Pay, fee cover and refunds give event teams several ways to handle payments. Supporter records—including totals, seats, bids and Gift Aid status—can be exported in formats used by CRM import wizards.

GDPR erase support and records of raffle entries, winning position and draw time address deletion requests and auditability. Virtual auctions can use YouTube, Vimeo or Zoom links, but the software does not encode video, mix cameras or broadcast to platforms.

Pricing

• Platform with Kevin as auctioneer or host: £0.00 per free. Includes the entire platform, custom branding and event setup, and remains live for one month after the event, with no commission or per-guest fee. This is the no-cost route for charities using the hosted event option.
• Platform on its own: £995.00 per year, billed £995 a year. Includes an annual licence, the full platform and custom event setup, with no commission, per-lot or per-guest fee. It suits charities that want to run the platform on its own; the fixed annual cost is less attractive for a single occasional event.

There is no free trial. The free hosted option avoids the annual licence but is tied to an event hosted by Kevin Durham and is live for one month after that event.

Platforms

Generosity Works supports Android, iOS and web. This gives event teams and guests access across mobile devices and browsers, though the event’s offline resilience comes from its on-site server rather than relying on venue connectivity.

Who it's for

Choose it for charity evenings that need auctions, ticketing, pledges, Gift Aid and payment handling in one system, particularly where unreliable Wi-Fi is a concern. Its stated event scale points to dinners and similar fundraisers rather than large conferences. Charities needing built-in video production or broadcast tools should look elsewhere.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Offline event operation and QR check-in without a third-party API reduce dependence on venue Wi-Fi.
• Pro: Direct Stripe settlement and no added transaction, per-lot or per-guest fees keep the platform’s charges distinct from payment processing.
• Pro: Auction, pledge, ticketing, Gift Aid and CRM-export features support a full charity evening rather than bidding alone.
• Con: The £995 annual licence can be hard to justify for charities running only occasional events.
• Con: The platform is not designed for four-day conferences with 3,000 delegates or for video streaming and production.

Alternatives

For a broader comparison, see Fundraising Event Software.

• Auctria is worth considering if a free plan with unlimited events is the priority: its Explorer plan is capped at $10,000 total income per year and 250 bidders per event, allows three team members, and charges a 1% credit card fee.
• Givebutter may suit teams seeking a free-forever package spanning donation forms, fundraising pages, events, auctions, donor management and marketing.
• iConnectX is an option for nonprofits seeking free hosted-event technology, with credit card fees of 2.29% + $0.15 per transaction; support packages cost extra.
• RunSignup may fit free events: its Free event plan has no processing fee for a $0 cart.
• RallyUp offers a free plan with no platform fee, donor tipping and core fundraising components.
• 32auctions may suit a small, online-only auction: its free plan supports up to 20 items and unlimited bidders, with one image per item.
• BetterWorld has a free plan with a 0% platform fee, with standard payment processing fees applying.
• Enthuse may suit teams seeking a £0.00-per-month Mass Participation plan with a 0% platform fee; payment provider and Gift Aid fees apply.

Verdict

Generosity Works is a strong fit for charities running mid-sized fundraising evenings that need offline operation, integrated giving and direct Stripe settlement. The hosted free option lowers the barrier to entry; the £995 annual licence makes most sense for repeat use. Look elsewhere for large conferences, built-in broadcast production or a free plan designed for self-service events.