Silent Auction Canada: Online & In-Person Fundraising

Run your silent auction online, at your fundraising event, or combine both with GalaBid.

Canadian charities, non-profits, schools, foundations, sports clubs and community organizations can create a branded silent auction where supporters browse items and bid directly from their phones. There is no app to download, and supporters who cannot attend your event can still participate remotely.

Manage auction items, mobile bidding, bidder notifications, winners and payments from one platform, with more than 100 features available to support your fundraiser.

Whether you're organizing a charity gala, golf tournament, school fundraiser, community dinner or online-only campaign, GalaBid gives you the tools to manage your silent auction from setup to final checkout.

Start your Canadian silent auction with GalaBid.

Silent Auction Software Built for Canadian Fundraisers

A successful silent auction needs to be simple for both organizers and supporters.

Your team needs an easy way to add auction items, set starting bids, monitor activity, communicate with supporters and manage winners.

Your bidders need an easy way to find items, place bids and know when someone has outbid them.

GalaBid brings these parts of the auction together in one campaign.

Supporters participate through their web browser, so they do not need to install an app before they can start bidding.

Your silent auction can run completely online, at an in-person event or across both environments at the same time.

Run Your Silent Auction Online

You do not need a physical venue to run a silent auction.

Create your auction catalogue, add your items and open bidding for the period that works for your campaign.

Supporters across Canada can browse items and bid using a phone, tablet or computer.

An online silent auction can run for several days, giving supporters time to discover the campaign, compare items and return when they have been outbid.

Your auction can include your organization's branding, auction items, photos, descriptions and bidding information.

Supporters can participate wherever they are rather than needing to be inside an event venue.

Mobile Bidding Without an App

Removing unnecessary steps can make participation easier.

With GalaBid, supporters do not need to search an app store or install software before bidding.

They can access the auction through their phone's browser, register and start exploring available items.

This works for supporters attending your event and those participating remotely.

Run a Silent Auction at Your Canadian Fundraising Event

GalaBid can also support silent auctions at in-person fundraising events.

Guests can bid directly from their tables using their phones instead of walking back and forth to paper bid sheets.

This can work for:

• Charity galas
• Golf tournaments
• School fundraisers
• Hospital foundation events
• Community dinners
• Sports club fundraisers
• Corporate charity events
• Foundation events
• Parent council fundraisers

Auction items can still be displayed throughout the venue.

The difference is that bidding happens digitally.

Guests can browse item information, submit bids and monitor the auction without relying on handwritten sheets.

Supporters who are unable to attend can also participate remotely when your campaign is available online.

Keep Bidders Engaged With Outbid Alerts

Competition is an important part of a silent auction.

With traditional paper bidding, supporters need to return to an item repeatedly to see whether someone has placed a higher bid.

Digital bidding makes that process easier to follow.

GalaBid can send text and email notifications when supporters are outbid, giving them an opportunity to return to the item and decide whether they want to bid again.

You can also use scheduled communications and closing reminders to keep the auction visible as the deadline approaches.

Instead of expecting supporters to constantly check every item, the campaign can help bring them back when their attention is needed.

Use Max Bidding for Easier Participation

Not every supporter can watch an auction continuously.

Max bidding allows a participant to enter the highest amount they are prepared to pay for an item.

The system can then respond to competing bids according to the auction's bid increment without immediately placing the participant's full maximum amount.

For example, suppose the current bid is CA$100 and the minimum increment is CA$10.

A supporter could set a maximum bid of CA$200.

If another participant places a qualifying higher bid, the system can continue bidding on the first supporter's behalf up to their CA$200 limit.

This lets supporters remain involved even when they are not actively watching their phones.

Use Overtime Bidding at Auction Close

Last-second bidding can be frustrating when other interested supporters have no opportunity to respond.

GalaBid's overtime bidding feature can extend bidding when qualifying activity happens near the scheduled closing time.

This gives competing bidders another opportunity to participate rather than allowing an auction item to close immediately after a late bid.

Organizers can establish the auction rules in advance so supporters understand how closing works.

Manage Your Auction Items Digitally

Your auction catalogue is central to the supporter experience.

GalaBid allows organizers to create listings containing the information bidders need before deciding whether to participate.

Add:

• Auction item titles
• Item descriptions
• Photos
• Starting bids
• Bid increments
• Terms and restrictions
• Relevant item values
• Shipping information
• Closing details

A clear digital catalogue lets supporters explore the available items from their own devices.

For larger auctions, managing items digitally can also reduce the administrative work associated with maintaining dozens of separate paper bid sheets.

Add Your Own Silent Auction Items

If you already have donated items, they can be added to your GalaBid auction catalogue.

Canadian fundraisers might offer:

• Weekend getaways
• Hotel stays
• Hockey experiences
• Golf packages
• Restaurant experiences
• Family activities
• Local attractions
• Entertainment
• Sports memorabilia
• Wellness packages
• Artwork
• Photography
• Professional services
• Unique community experiences

The strongest auction catalogue will depend on your supporters.

Choose items that match their interests and budgets rather than simply trying to create the largest possible list.

Need More Auction Items?

Sourcing enough attractive auction items can be challenging, particularly for smaller organizations or teams running their first major fundraiser.

GalaBid gives Canadian fundraisers access to consignment auction items that can be added without purchasing them upfront.

Available categories can include travel, sports and experience packages.

If a consignment item does not sell, the fundraiser is not charged for that unsold item.

When an item sells, the organization keeps the applicable fundraising amount above the item's cost price.

This gives organizations another way to expand an auction catalogue when donated items alone are not enough.

Winners Can Pay From Their Phones

Closing an auction is only part of the process.

Winning bidders still need to complete payment.

GalaBid allows winners to pay by card from their phones using the organization's connected Stripe Canada account.

This means supporters can move from winning an item to completing checkout digitally rather than joining a manual payment queue.

For organizations running an in-person event, the checkout console can also help the team manage winners and payments as the event closes.

Your Auction Funds Go Through Your Stripe Canada Account

GalaBid does not hold your silent auction proceeds before passing them on to your organization.

Online card payments are processed through your connected Stripe Canada account.

Funds then settle according to Stripe's standard payout process.

This keeps payment processing connected directly to the organization's own Stripe account rather than using a separate GalaBid holding account.

Stripe processing fees still apply to card transactions.

Free Silent Auction Option for Canadian Fundraisers

GalaBid offers a Free plan for Canadian fundraisers with no platform fee.

On the Free plan, supporters are presented with an optional tip to GalaBid at checkout. The supporter can adjust that amount, including changing it to zero.

Stripe Canada card processing fees still apply.

Paid options are also available for organizations that prefer a different pricing structure.

This gives Canadian organizations different ways to choose a setup that fits their fundraiser and budget.

More Than 100 Features Included

A silent auction involves more than accepting bids.

GalaBid includes more than 100 features to help organizations manage campaigns and fundraising events.

Depending on your campaign setup, features can include:

• Mobile bidding
• Max bidding
• Overtime bidding
• Text notifications
• Email notifications
• Auction item management
• Leaderboards
• Checkout management
• Shipping information
• Volunteer accounts
• Live auction items
• Paddle raise functionality
• Event ticketing
• Guest check-in
• Donations
• Raffle functionality
• Buy It Now items
• Campaign branding
• Reporting

This allows an organization to manage more of its fundraising activity from one campaign rather than treating the silent auction as an isolated part of the event.

Sell Event Tickets and Manage Check-In

For organizations running a gala, dinner or other ticketed fundraising event, GalaBid can combine ticketing with the silent auction.

Sell individual tickets or tables and manage your guest list from the campaign.

When guests arrive, your team can check them in.

Because ticket purchasers are already connected with the fundraising campaign, the transition from event registration to bidding can be simpler.

This can be particularly useful when the silent auction is only one part of a larger fundraising event.

Combine Silent and Live Auctions

Some events use both silent and live auctions.

The silent auction can contain a larger catalogue that supporters browse throughout the event, while selected premium items are presented during a live auction.

GalaBid allows organizers to manage live auction items alongside the silent auction.

A paddle raise or fund-a-need can also be incorporated into the event fundraising setup.

This gives organizers flexibility to build an event around more than one fundraising format.

Show Auction Activity on the Big Screen

For an in-person fundraiser, the auction does not need to remain hidden on individual phones.

Leaderboards and campaign displays can show auction activity on a larger screen during the event.

This can help guests see that bidding is active and remind them that the auction is still open.

Countdowns and fundraising progress can also help make the auction feel like part of the wider event rather than a separate activity happening in the background.

Support Guests Who Do Not Have a Phone

Not every guest will want or be able to bid from a smartphone.

That does not mean they need to be excluded.

Your team can place bids for a guest through the GalaBid dashboard, while volunteer accounts can help event staff support bidding for guests or tables.

This gives organizers another way to accommodate participants while keeping auction records digital.

Manage Shipping and Winner Information

Not every auction winner will collect an item at the event.

Online auctions may have supporters bidding from different locations, while some physical items may need to be shipped after the fundraiser.

GalaBid allows organizers to set shipping costs for individual items, collect relevant winner address information during checkout and track whether an item has been shipped.

For experiences or certificates, organizers can provide the appropriate redemption information after payment.

Keeping fulfilment information connected with the auction can make post-event administration easier to manage.

A Silent Auction Platform for Different Canadian Fundraisers

GalaBid is designed to support organizations running different types and sizes of fundraising campaigns.

Charities and Foundations

Run online or event-based auctions, combine different fundraising activities and manage supporter bidding digitally.

Schools and Parent Councils

Create an auction for school fundraising without relying entirely on paper bid sheets and manual winner tracking.

Sports Clubs

Auction sporting experiences, donated items, local packages and other prizes while supporters bid from their phones.

Community Organizations

Run an accessible online auction that supporters can participate in even when they cannot attend a physical fundraiser.

Gala and Event Fundraisers

Combine mobile bidding with ticketing, guest check-in, live auction items, donations and other event fundraising activities.

How Does a Silent Auction Work?

A silent auction allows supporters to compete for items without an auctioneer calling every bid aloud.

The organizer adds auction items and establishes the bidding rules.

Supporters then browse the catalogue and place bids during a defined bidding period.

When another participant places a higher bid, the previous bidder can decide whether to bid again.

When the auction closes according to its published rules, the highest valid bidder wins the item.

The winner then completes payment and receives or redeems the item.

GalaBid moves this process online so bidding, notifications, winners and payments can be managed digitally.

Why Run an Online Silent Auction in Canada?

Online bidding gives fundraisers more flexibility over where and when supporters participate.

Your campaign can operate without a physical event or alongside one.

Supporters who cannot attend your gala, school event or community fundraiser may still be able to browse and bid remotely.

Digital bidding also removes the need to manually interpret paper bid sheets at the end of the event.

Bidding activity is recorded through the platform, helping organizers identify winners and move into checkout.

For supporters, mobile bidding means they can follow items without repeatedly returning to an auction table.

Canadian Silent Auction FAQs

Do guests need to download an app?

No. GalaBid works through a web browser. Supporters can register and bid using their phone without downloading an app.

Can I run my silent auction completely online?

Yes. A GalaBid silent auction can run as an online-only campaign without a physical fundraising event.

Can I use GalaBid at an in-person event?

Yes. Guests can bid from their phones while attending your gala, golf tournament, school fundraiser, dinner or other event.

Can supporters bid if they are not at the event?

Yes. When your auction is available online, supporters can participate remotely rather than needing to be physically present at the venue.

Can guests without smartphones participate?

Yes. Your team can place bids for guests through the dashboard, and volunteer accounts can help staff support participants.

What happens when someone is outbid?

GalaBid can send text or email outbid notifications, giving the supporter an opportunity to return and place another bid while the auction remains open.

What is max bidding?

Max bidding lets supporters set the highest amount they are willing to pay. The system can continue bidding for them according to the established increment until their maximum is reached.

What is overtime bidding?

Overtime bidding can extend an auction item's closing period when qualifying bidding activity happens near the deadline, giving competing supporters an opportunity to respond.

Can I add shipping costs?

Yes. Organizers can add shipping costs to auction items, collect relevant winner address information and track item shipping.

Can I use my own auction items?

Yes. Organizations can add donated or sourced items to their auction catalogue.

What if I do not have enough auction items?

GalaBid also provides access to Canadian consignment items that can be added without an upfront purchase cost. Unsold consignment items do not create a charge for the fundraiser.

Where do silent auction payments go?

Online card payments are processed through the organization's connected Stripe Canada account. GalaBid does not hold the auction proceeds before passing them to the organization.

Does GalaBid have a free option in Canada?

Yes. GalaBid currently offers a Free plan for Canadian fundraisers with no platform fee. An optional supporter tip is presented at checkout, while Stripe Canada processing fees still apply.

Can I run other fundraising activities with my silent auction?

Yes. GalaBid can support additional fundraising and event activities such as donations, live auction items, paddle raises, event ticketing, check-in, Buy It Now items and raffles where the organization has the appropriate permissions for that activity.

Start Your Silent Auction in Canada

Your silent auction should be easy for supporters to join and practical for your team to manage.

GalaBid brings auction items, mobile bidding, bidder notifications, payments, winners and event fundraising tools together in one platform.

Run your auction completely online, use mobile bidding at your next Canadian fundraising event or combine both approaches to include supporters wherever they are.

With no app required, more than 100 features and payments processed through your organization's own Stripe Canada account, GalaBid gives charities, non-profits, schools and community organizations the tools to manage their next silent auction digitally.

Set up your Canadian silent auction with GalaBid and get your campaign ready for bidding.

‍

‍