Great Fundraising Ideas To Help You Raise More

Running a school fundraiser can be labor intensive for time poor parents and carers. Read about our three simple, fast and effective school fundraising ideas that will raise money and save valuable time.

An overview of recent updates to GalaBid and upcoming features aimed at making fundraising easier to run and more flexible for supporters.

We talk daily to fundraisers who are sourcing prizes for their live and silent auctions. It can be a challenging and time consuming job. So, it's no surprise that 3rd party fundraising prizes are hugely popular. Here are 9 key questions to ask before you take the plunge.

Fundraising platforms do not all operate the same way. Pricing models vary widely - from free platforms funded by tipping, to percentage-based fees, flat subscriptions, feature-based charges, or multi-year contracts. Some platforms manage payment processing on your behalf, while others allow you to connect and control your own payment processing account.

A successful home tour fundraiser - lessons learned in how to set up the online fundraising auction, attracting international & local bidders. How to run the event on the day for an enjoyable experience for all stake stakeholders.

In late 2025, a major fundraising platform was accused of withholding or severely delaying donation payouts. Nonprofits reportedly waited many months to receive funds their supporters believed had already been delivered.

If you’re still running fundraising auctions using paper bid sheets, clipboards, and manual tracking, you’re not alone — but you may be missing out on major opportunities to increase engagement, raise more money, and streamline your efforts. The shift to digital fundraising can feel daunting at first, but the long-term benefits are well worth the transition.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is quickly changing the way fundraising works—making it easier, smarter, and more effective. With the help of AI, fundraisers can better understand their donors, send the right messages at the right time, and run smoother, more successful campaigns.

With a fresh format and the help of GalaBid’s easy-to-use digital tools, the Salvation Army's Women of Distinction Fashion Show brought community spirit and fundraising success together—online and in style.

Online fundraising has become a vital part of charitable efforts, however, you might find some of the terms and confusing when starting out. Our handy guide will give you the lowdown on all the need-to-know terms.

How amazing are your volunteers? These people are passionate about your cause and happy to give their time and talents to help achieve great things for your non-profit.If you’re holding an in-person fundraising event, volunteers can make a huge difference to your guests’ experience and fundraising results.

If you are planning a fundraiser, perhaps a gala dinner and you are looking for a way to sell and distribute tickets you may be surprised at the number of options a google search can return. Here is an overview of some key features important to nonprofits and questions to ask yourself when evaluating the various software options available.

The latest three day event took place online just last week, and I had the pleasure of being part of it. It was an excellent event, packed full of practical tips and inspiring and thought provoking discussion.

Being time poor can leave you with little room to organize a traditional fundraising event. Here are three convenient digital fundraising options that will help you raise money effectively without overwhelming your already busy life.

Whether you’re running an online silent auction or a digital raffle, the quality of your prizes can determine the success of your fundraising. A single prize that has serious 'wow' factor can be as effective as a whole collection of prizes.

Haileybury School, renowned for its commitment to academic excellence and community involvement, leveraged GalaBid to support their Master’s Appeal, aiming to raise funds for the renovation of their Grade II listed library. Marika shares insights into their auction experience, the benefits of using GalaBid, and the overall impact on their fundraising efforts.

Setting the right starting price for each item in your online silent auction can make a huge difference to sale outcome. Too high and you might deter people from bidding, too low and there may not be enough demand - but setting it just right?

If you're looking to run a fundraising campaign for either for an online only fundraiser or at a live event, an online silent auction is an exciting and effective way to raise money for your non-profit cause.

Thinking of raising money for a great cause but worried you don’t have time to organise a big event? Digital fundraising is the effective and fast way to raise money without it turning into a full-time job.

Love the idea of digital, online fundraising but baffled about the jargon? Unsure whether a silent auction or live auction is right for you? Worried you don’t know the difference between consignment and self-sourced prizes?Don’t worry, we’ve got all the low-down you need to make your next fundraiser a breeze.

There are lots of online fundraising options for individual fundraisers, non-profits, and communities to choose from. How do you know whether a silent auction, digital raffle or donation drive is the right fundraiser for your cause?

Running your fundraising auction online for the first time? This guide will explore 5 features you should consider using to maximize your total raised including, transaction fees, vouchers, donations, leaderboards and personal shoppers

Items on Consignment can be a convenient way, to source tried and tested prizes for your online auction on a sale or return basis. This guide includes 7 key questions you should ask when weighing up which supplier to use.

Key takeaways on all things Fundraising at in-person Events and beyond. A summary of the amazing tips, insights and thought provoking anecdotes delivered by a very knowledgeable and experienced panel at AFP's latest conference in Seattle - ICON 2025

Find out how GalaBid's innovative online fundraising software can maximize the success of your next fundraising campaign

Live auctions are the showstoppers at fundraising events. Here are five strategies event fundraisers can use to boost live auction results including spotting bids, a knowledgeable auctioneer and showcasing the prizes effectively.

Fundraising events play a crucial role in supporting various causes, and choosing the right approach can make all the difference. Two popular options are silent auctions and live auctions with each offering unique advantages and considerations.

Attracting sponsorship is a vital element of many fundraisers. Corporate sponsors help provide financial support to stage and run many events. But what about small local fundraisers? Can they attract sponsors too? Absolutely!

A small fundraiser can still mean a big workload. Whether it's a community bake sale or local charity silent auction - every small fundraiser requires planning and organizing. If you’re time poor but still want your fundraiser to be a smash success, here are some tips to maximise results.

Whether you’re organizing a glamorous Charity Gala, a local school fair, or running a fundraising auction as a standalone online campaign, we’ve compiled a guide to the essential features and considerations when selecting online bidding software.

At GalaBid, we believe in the power of fundraising to create meaningful change. As we look back on the incredible work accomplished by thousands of charities, nonprofits, schools, and community groups using our platform, we are filled with gratitude and admiration.

Whether you're organizing a gala, online auction, or hybrid event, understanding fundraising terms can help you communicate effectively with donors, partners, and your team. This comprehensive fundraising glossary for 2025 breaks down essential terms every non-profit should know.

Digital fundraising has revolutionized how we give. We can donate to a great cause, or make a bid at a silent auction at the touch of a button. And, we can do this 24 hours a day from almost any location around the world! While digital technology has made giving more interactive, fun, and engaging - fundraisers may struggle to keep fundraising event guests from getting distracted by their device.

This guide outlines how to secure and leverage sponsorship to boost your fundraising event's success. Sponsorship ensures financial support for a fundraising event and increases visibility for your cause.

Nonprofit organizations rely on powerful digital tools to streamline fundraising, engage donors, and maximize revenue. Here’s a quick overview of the top 10 nonprofit fundraising platforms to consider in 2025:

Creating and selling tickets for a fundraising event can be a challenging task, especially if you are new to event planning or fundraising. However, with a bit of planning you can successfully sell tickets and generate revenue for your cause.

How long should my silent auction stay open for? How long in advance of the event should I launch my auction? At what point during the event should I close my auction, and is there a case for closing an auction post event? This article looks at the main factors event fundraisers will consider.

Your leaderboard not only provides valuable information but also serves as a powerful tool to engage and motivate your event attendees. To ensure your leaderboard delivers exceptional results, we have listed the key inclusions and considerations.

Crowdfunding is a great way for individuals, communities, clubs and charities to raise funds for a specific cause or project. GalaBid’s crowdfunding platform is easy to use and quick to set-up. Setting-up a Crowdfunding Campaign on GalaBid takes no time at all.

In this guide, we'll take a look at how you can create an online fundraiser to rival the excitement of an in-person event, with a particular emphasis on silent auctions, fundraising campaigns, and raffles.

This guide will walk you through the step-by-step process of creating your very own auction website using our platform. From setting up your organization and campaign to customizing the site's appearance and functionality.

10 tips to help fundraisers write more successful copy to engage existing and potential supporters. From avoiding cliches and jargon to learning how to use emotion and how to craft a compelling call to action, this concise guide has you covered.

Community fundraisers are often inspired by a desire to help a local organisation, individual or family. But if you’re not a professional fundraiser, how can you make your cause count? Let's find out!

Using an online silent auction platform can generate much more funds than traditional paper-based fundraisers, but how do you know which auction items will inspire a bidding frenzy. Find out with our handy guide.

Without the help of your generous supporters, your fundraiser won’t reach the targets needed to make a positive difference to others. Here are a few things you can do to make sure every supporter knows your fundraiser is worth their support and that their contribution is appreciated.

Whether you’re hosting a charity gala, silent auction, or community raffle, a well-planned guest engagement strategy can help you draw in a larger audience while keeping supporters excited and motivated to give.

Setting the right silent auction bid can be challenging. Too low and the item may not reach its retail or market value. If the starting bid price is too high, it may deter people from placing bids. Our handy guide will help you find the right starting price for your auction items.

Running your first online fundraising campaign can feel very daunting. We talked to some experienced fundraisers about what they learned from running their first fundraiser and how to make yours a success.

One of the keys to a successful silent auction is having a large variety of items. Sourcing a range of must-have items means you’ll get plenty of bids, generate healthy competition, and maximise your fundraising result.

Want to get the most out of your social media campaign to promote your fundraiser? We've enlisted expert blogger, Kathy Hope, to give some great advice.

We collated four incredibly effective fundraising ideas that will help you get the most out of your donations. Whether you're a non-profit organization, a school, or an individual seeking support for a cause, these strategies can make a significant impact on your fundraising efforts.

Our new online fundraising platform will transform your next fundraising event. Find out how about the awesome new ways to help you raise more.

Find out how GalaBid's NEW digital fundraising platform is all set to deliver amazing results for your great cause.

A summary of the panel session, which discussed the future of Event Fundraising at the AFP ICON event in Seattle in April 2025.

If you’re running an online fundraiser, you might wonder if you can make it as successful as a live event. Will your supporters find a virtual event as fun and engaging as a live fundraiser?

Although COVID19 restrictions are currently being lifted, it’s unlikely live fundraising events will return to normal for some time. Charities, non-profits and community causes need to plan for on-going disruption to fundraising events.

GalaBid is committed to delivering innovative technology that maximises fundraising returns to non-profits and charities. We’re constantly reviewing our digital auction platform to ensure it offers our clients a best-in-class experience. It’s why we’re thrilled to announce the arrival of our brand NEW fundraising technology. Built from the ground up, our development team has worked tirelessly for over a year to hone the perfect platform.

We know that holidays are a consistent hit at fundraising auctions. Who doesn’t get excited at the prospect of a getaway to somewhere fabulous? While holidays are guaranteed to get bidders’ pulses racing, the trick is to offer a range of experiences that appeal to both the thrill and the chill seekers. GalaBid’s NEW prize update consists of consignment options perfect for people who relish the element of surprise. Our Tasmania adventure gives auction winners the freedom of the open road, while our mystery cruise offers relaxation and indulgence via a luxury liner.

Want to give your fundraising auction bidders the chance to go wild? We’ve just added two amazing once-in-a-lifetime consignment prize options that are sure to feature on everybody’s bucket list.

These creative fundraising ideas are sure to open up some bidding wars at your next event Of course your auction items need to include the basics, but gift baskets and vouchers aren't going to get people fired up and digging deep are they? So, you need to get creative with your silent auction ideas. This is your big chance to wow your guests with charity auction ideas that will not only get the money rolling in, but will make your event a night to remember.

With an average of 10 new charities being registered every day in Australia*, it is more important than ever to step away from the standard 'run of mill' Gala night and do something a little different. By thinking outside the box, The Royal Hospital for Women Foundation and Burger King were able to create unique and memorable fundraising events for their guests whilst still receiving outstanding financial results...

Fundraisers are often inspired by the needs of local people, families and organisations. Here are some great charity fundraising ideas to make your community cause count!

When organising a fundraising event, it is crucial to plan out the best way to present your live and silent auction items to your guests. Follow these helpful hints to encourage competitive bidding from your audience members...

Whether you're a seasoned professional or a novice within the fundraising industry, securing a list of suitable and appealing auction items for your upcoming charity event can be a challenge. So below, we have provided some handy hints that might help you along the way...

'One way to increase your fundraising auction revenue is by selling big-ticket items such as, luxury package holidays, multiple times. If done correctly, it can be a masterstroke, helping you to maximise ROI. Below are some tried and tested methods for successfully auctioning off packages - multiple times - during a fundraising event...

We've expanded our fundraising prize collection to offer bidders even more tantalising choice at your next charity auction.

Want to entice bidders at your next online charity auction? Add these delightful European getaways to your fundraiser.

Fundraising events can be complicated to organise. With so many elements to get right, plenty can go wrong. We've got the fundraising ideas you need to make sure your charity and non-profit fundraising event runs like clockwork.

A mobile fundraising app could revolutionise your fundraising. From school fundraisers to charity gala dinners, a fundraising app is the easy option that delivers great results.

Are you familiar with the key trends that will maximise your fundraising in 2020? Find out how these emerging and on-going trends are shaping the way successful nonprofits and charities attract support from donors and sponsors,

Two different charities, two different events. Find out how both maximised virtual fundraising to smash their fundraising targets.

Supporting your Supporters Looking after the supporters that attend your fundraising events and partake in your online campaigns is absolutely essential in guaranteeing year-on-year participation. Here are some top tips to help you make sure your supporters feel appreciated.

The last month has been the busiest in the year for GalaBid with thousands of bids being placed and over $2 million being raised through our fundraising software. Along the way we've seen some fun and fantastic uses of our fundraising platform including a live donation challenge involving a big wheel, a group of CEO's and some interesting horse racing!

Hamish and Andy with Kerri-Anne Kennerley. Picture: Mitch Cameron, The Daily Telegraph We're delighted to have helped The Sony Foundation reach a new fundraising record at one of Sydney's most well known fundraisers last week. Guests, including many celebrities enjoyed an impressive entertainment line up including Human Nature, Jessica Mauboy, Dami Im and X Factor winner Marlisa.

Want to raise money for charity but don’t know where to start? Would it help if we told you there are mobile fundraising options right there on your phone.

Running a pre-event marketing campaign can make a huge difference to your fundraising success. And the good news is it doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. Find out how.

Last month The Western Australia Olympic Committee sent the team off in style with the 2016 Premier Olympic Dinner. GalaBid assisted with its electronic fundraising platform allowing guests to donate and bid on a range of fantastic prizes. In their quest to get WA's athletes to Rio, the WAOC sought out an effective, straightforward and hassle-free all-in-one state-of-the-art software program to help them raise more - and we did not let them down! Lisa Lillyeyman from WAOC states, "The night was a great success, due largely to the silent and live auctions. The GalaBid silent auction platform, was easy to use and provided a very seamless process for our guests from bidding through to payment and pickup."...

According to the Black Dog Institute, “suicide is the leading cause of death for Australians between 15 and 44 years of age. It's a shocking statement. Suicide claims the lives of more young Australians than motor accidents. In Australia alone, over 65,000 people make a suicide attempt every year. But as the Institute says, suicide can be prevented. With this in mind, Galabid is proud to support an incredible adventure that starts in June this year, Ride For Jase...

In today's tech-saturated world, it's more important than ever to capture the new generation of charity supporters. According to an article published on The McCrindle Blog, "Today's emerging generation are global, social, visual and technological. They are the most connected, educated and sophisticated generations ever with influence beyond their years. They are the early adopters, the brand influences, the social media drivers, the pop-culture leaders, and they don't just represent the future, they're creating it”...

Family Action hit the fundraising nail on the head, with their two recent events, Bats and Balls and Shoes Bags and Glad Rags. Both events were informal and informative, serving canapés and champagne on arrival, followed by an interactive discussion by leading experts in sports and fashion. Guests had the opportunity to bid in the silent auction from their smart phones, with no tablet in sight! Both evenings concluded with a live auction, processing all payments through the GalaBid software...

Regular readers of the Galabid blog will know all about Ben Woods' epic cycle around Australia in support of Ride for Jase. Starting on June 10 from Manly in Sydney, Ben will ride to the furthest points on the compass and then into the dusty heart of the Red Centre. Scheduled to complete the ride in six months, if successful Ben will break the world record for the longest journey by bicycle in a single country. This epic adventure is inspired by Ben's brother Jase. In 2015, over the course of six months...

Solo fundraiser, Jimmy Hayes, is raising funds for MS Australia by undertaking a gruelling trek across The Great Wall of China. Find out about his trek preparation and how you can help Jimmy smash his fundraising target.

The live auction is often the pinnacle of a many fundraising events. Here's how you can get the most from your event highlight and smash your live auction targets.

Don't let your donation drive get lost at your fundraising event. Give it time in the spotlight to send cash pledges sky-high!

Your fundraising leaderboard can deliver so much more than just donation updates. From custom display to amount tallies, find out how powerful your leaderboard can be.

Want to boost donations and auction bids at your next fundraising event? The addition of a big screen can give you the revenue raising firepower you're looking for.

March 2016 saw the completion of the public arts initiative 'Hares on the March' which saw the Jack and Jill Children's Foundation auction 110, three-foot tall hares, painted and decorated by some of Ireland's best known artists. The creative fundraiser helps fund home nurse care for families of 270 young children from birth to 4 years old with brain damage who suffer severe intellectual and physical trauma...

Crowdcomms was delighted to be invited to help the International Special Events Society raise funds at their Christmas Party in Sydney last week. Guests bid on a range of items from Spa packages to personal chauffeurs using our online bidding system, GalaBid on their phones. In 2014 GalaBid has helped fundraisers to raise over $10 million in revenue and on average enables organisations to increase their silent auction revenue by 43%. GalaBid is also used to facilitate donations and raffles.

Question: How do you manage a 400+ item silent auction catalogue with 1000 attendees in a 5 hour window? Answer: You use mobile phone technology!...

We have been delighted with the service provided by Galabid for our 2013 Heather Ball. The mobile bidding created a fun and competitive atmosphere at our event which led to increased donations at our silent auction. Our guests commented on how easy it was to bid and how user friendly the experience was. We found the whole experience simple to organise and we were fully supported to make sure everything ran smoothly on the night. We are planning to use Galabid again next year for our ball and would happily recommend to others. Children 1st

Building strong and long-lasting relationships is crucial to the success of your fundraising efforts. Here are some helpful hints to help you retain supporters whilst continuing to add more and more prospects into the mix.

Keeping your ideas fresh and interesting when organising your silent auction catalogue will inspire your audience and motivate them to give more. The key is to procure items that are handmade, involve exotic locations or offer exclusive, one-of-a-kind experiences. These items should not only aim to generate excitement and capture the interests of your target audience, but ultimately represent the objectives and goals of your organisation. With some creative thinking, the right connections and GalaBid's silent auction software package, ChildFund and The Project Agency were able to produce two incredible campaigns. Here are their stories...

In recent times, we have seen a huge rise in the number of self-run auctions. That is, fundraising without the assistance of a GalaBid technician onsite. From individuals organising a charity run, to schools looking to raise money for a summer project, or even nonprofits that are happy to simply learn how to facilitate a fundraising auction themselves… this 'self-service' option is viable for everyone. Cost effective and easy-to-use, this self-run alternative allows you to have full control over the management of your auction, whilst still receiving the excellent GalaBid service, pre and post event as usual! GalaBid's unique content management system is a user-friendly tool...

Wow - 2015 was quite the year here at GalaBid! With the number of fundraising events that we work with doubling, it was no surprise that we got to witness some great fundraising incentives and meet some really interesting people. Some of the events organisers we worked with this year were just amazing at what they do - and not all of them have 20 years experience in the job. From mums giving up their spare time to help with their kids school fundraisers, to members of the community banding together to put on a fundraising night for someone that needed their support...

Trying to raise money for charity but don't want to hold a live auction event? Running an online auction with GalaBid's silent auction software may be just the way to go. With GalaBid, your audience can bid on items, make donations or even purchase electronic raffle tickets from any smartphone, computer or tablet with no fuss...

Want to captivate your audience with some big ticket auction items but don't have the know-how, time or resources? This is where consignment comes in. The perfect option to ensure a well-rounded auction with sensational prizes that can hypnotise audiences and pull in more generous bids. Whether its a 10-day safari in Tanzania, an electric guitar signed by ACDC or a fine piece of art by a renowned artist, these items will add variety to your fundraising auction and even that little something special...

Cycling Fundraiser: Gav & Marco's Tour de Cure Gala 2016: Ardent supporters of Tour de Cure, Gavin Hardy and Marco Piat will be hitting the road once again to raise awareness and funds to cure cancer. This is Gav's fifth year and Marco's second as Tour de Cure riders and during this time they have raised almost $108,000, along with local rider Adam Jones, who has participated in previous years...

Last week, GalaBid's silent auction software was enlisted to help facilitate fundraising efforts for the Cancer Council's annual POSH Gala Ball 2016. The night themed 'Once Upon A Time' was an incredible success with 750 attendees generously helping raise over $1.1 million for cancer research. Here's what they had to say: "Great experience with GalaBid for our event, with some obvious improvements from previous years. We were very well supported through the entire process by our account manager and the team on the night were fantastic in enabling smooth execution of the auction for 750+ guests. Thanks guys!"...

This is what Jasmine Goldstone-Henry from Royal Hospital for Women Foundation had to say about the fundraising event and GalaBid's silent auction software. "The Royal Hospital for Women Foundation and Harper's BAZAAR's inaugural 'BAZAAR in Bloom' event was a huge success! Thanks to the support and generosity of our guests and sponsors, The Royal Hospital for Women Foundation raised an incredible $250,000 which will be going towards providing essential funding for The Royal's world-class Fertility Research Centre...