PaddleUp

What PaddleUp is

PaddleUp is event and fundraising software for schools and nonprofits. It brings campaign goals, settings, and related activities into a shared dashboard for events such as jog-a-thons, galas, auctions, and online sales. Organizers can run live, silent, and online auctions, with mobile bidding supported. Staff can use the iOS app to set up and monitor auctions in person. Ticketing covers registration and attendee check-in, and seating connects guests and tables to the ticket roster. For bid sheets, teams can print sheets with QR anchors, upload photos, and use AI-assisted read-back to match bids against registered bidders. Stripe handles card and ACH payments; staff can pair the iOS app with Stripe Terminal Bluetooth readers for on-site sales. PaddleUp also provides organization API keys, webhooks, and staff MCP tools for custom workflows and AI-assisted operations. The maker says sensitive attendee and bidder contact fields are encrypted using AES-256-GCM with per-organization keys managed through AWS KMS in production, and service traffic uses TLS. Stripe handles card numbers and remains the system of record for payouts and refunds. Paddle-Up has no monthly platform subscription; Stripe processing fees apply, and AI tokens are pay-as-you-go per organization. The service is owned and operated by Shadow Republic Developing, LLC, whose site describes work based in Forest Grove, Oregon.

Who it suits

PaddleUp suits schools and nonprofits coordinating fundraising campaigns, auctions, ticketed events, and on-site sales. It may fit teams that need mobile bidding, event reporting, or API and webhook access for custom workflows.

Limits

The Paddle-Up plan has no monthly platform subscription, but Stripe processing fees apply. AI Assistant use requires pay-as-you-go tokens purchased per organization.

Getting started

1. Visit https://www.paddleup.io/.
2. Use the web platform or API, or the iOS app for on-site auction work and sales.
3. Set up campaigns to group fundraising goals, settings, and related activities.
4. Configure ticket registration and attendee check-in, or link tables and guests to the ticket roster.
5. Connect Stripe for card and ACH payments; pair the iOS app with Stripe Terminal Bluetooth readers for on-site sales if needed.
6. Purchase AI tokens per organization if using AI Assistant features.

Verdict

Choose PaddleUp if your school or nonprofit needs fundraising campaigns alongside auctions, ticketing, and payment tools. Its listed plan has no monthly platform subscription and charges no per-seat or per-volunteer fees, but Stripe processing fees still apply and AI tokens are purchased separately.