Make sure you pick a platform that can handle a variety of types of fundraising events, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Virtual events<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- In-person charity auction events<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Hybrid events (with both online and in-person bidding)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Silent auctions<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
If you choose software that can only handle online auctions for nonprofits, but not in-person ones, or software that isn\u2019t designed for nonprofits at all, it will take much more work on your end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nonprofit specific<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
There are a number of things that you will need your software to handle that an average person selling items online does not. Make sure that your software features auction packages for nonprofits specifically. You\u2019ll want your system to generate tax receipts for auction items. Your organization should also have the ability to set \u201coverhead\u201d costs, which is an amount that is NOT tax-deductible on said tax receipts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Easy set-up<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If your fundraising software isn\u2019t designed to handle auction events, it can complicate the set-up process. Your fundraising team is busy, so it\u2019s best to have a system that can:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Automatically assign bidder numbers to participants<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Automatically assign lot numbers to the items being sold<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Manage notifications before, during, and after the auction<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Make advance bidding easy to manage and track<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Permit batch uploading for lot items<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Create bid sheets that include pictures, a blurb, a name, and a bid amount.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Easily include QR codes for scanning<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Track and apply sales tax when required by law<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Speaking of the law, it can also be helpful if your software can help you track local laws surrounding charity auctions and help keep your compliance paperwork in order.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many ways to bid<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The best online auction software for nonprofits will allow your donors to bid for items in a variety of ways. Giveffect<\/a>, for example, will allow you to accept bids:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- In person<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- On a mobile device<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- From a computer<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- In advance<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Via SMS text-to-bid<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Remember, the more ways someone can bid on an auction donation to nonprofits, the more likely they are to bid.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In-auction notifications<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
During the auction, your bidders want to be notified if they get outbid. This will also help your nonprofit, as they may choose to raise their stakes. But your fundraising staff or volunteers can\u2019t be expected to keep up with every bid on every lot number, especially in an online auction scenario. That is why the best online auction platforms for nonprofits will include automated notifications for every bidder throughout the auction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.giveffect.com\/nonprofit-resource-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/shutterstock_755292118.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nUser-friendly<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
You want your nonprofit auction software to be easy to use. We\u2019ve already discussed the importance of easy setup for your team, but you\u2019ll want a system that is easy for your bidders, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With Giveffect<\/a>, your bidders can visit a website (that you can easily create), that is clearly branded to your organization. They will be able to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- navigate the lots\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- determine their bids\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- create an account (or log into their existing account)\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- verify their identities (for your security and theirs)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- place a bid<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- track their bid with notifications<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- complete their payment either online or offline<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
And speaking of that payment, your bidders will know their exact winning bid right up front. Some of the major online auction websites allow you to bid, and if you win, you\u2019ll pay the second highest bid, plus a fee. That means you won\u2019t know the exact amount until the very last minute.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With Giveffect\u2019s online auction platform for nonprofits<\/a>, the winning bid (and the tax deduction that may follow) will be in the amount of the winning bid itself. This allows your constituents to come with their best foot forward. There\u2019s even a buy-it-now feature if you choose to utilize it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Integration with your CRM<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
But the VERY best online auction software for nonprofits will also SEAMLESSLY integrate with your CRM, which is something online competitors can\u2019t offer.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n