Paddle raise software for Australian galas

The terms are often used interchangeably at Australian fundraising events. A paddle raise usually describes the live giving moment, with an auctioneer or MC calling out giving levels and guests raising numbered paddles to make a pledge. Fund-a-need is often used when the appeal is tied to a specific program, project or impact, such as funding scholarships, meals, equipment or another defined need. A fund-a-need can be run as a traditional paddle raise or with supporters donating from their phones while the total updates in real time.

Yes. You can customise your giving levels, assign paddles to guests, then enter each paddle number into GalaBid as the auctioneer calls it out. Each donation is recorded against that guest during the appeal, so your team has a clear record of who gave and at which level.

Yes. Event guests and remote supporters can donate from their phones in real time without downloading a separate app.

Yes. You can display the live total raised on the big screen as donations are entered or made online. This works for both a traditional paddle raise and a phone-based fund-a-need, and supporter names and donation amounts can also be displayed on screen.

Yes. Supporters can choose to appear anonymously when they set up their GalaBid account. At an event, authorised staff or volunteers can also update a guest’s display preference so their name does not appear on the big screen.

Paddle raise donations can be added to the guest’s GalaBid invoice, so they can pay alongside other amounts owed from the event, such as auction purchases. Where appropriate, your team can also process card payments.

Yes. Paddle raise and fund-a-need donations can sit alongside your silent auction, live auction, raffle, ticketing and other GalaBid fundraising activities within the same campaign. Your donations, auction activity and payment information can all be managed from the same campaign.