Best Event Management Software for Nonprofits: 11 Tools

Fundraising events take months of planning and one evening to deliver. When registrations, auction items and payments live in different places, the night itself gets stressful and follow-up gets missed.

The eleven tools below are listed alphabetically and in no particular order, almost all from specialist nonprofit providers. Each description comes from the tool's own site, read this week. For planning the programme itself, use my community event programming template.

Nonprofit event tools at a glance

In the free plan column, Yes means the tool's own site describes free use or a free plan, Trial only means a time-limited trial and No means neither is stated on the pages we read.

Tool	Type	Good for	Free plan
32auctions	Online silent auctions	Simple online silent auctions	Yes
Auctria	Auction and event software	Volunteer-run auctions	Not stated
Bid Beacon	Mobile silent auctions	Phone bidding at events	Yes
ClickBid	Fundraising event software	Galas with mobile bidding	No
Eventbrite	Ticketing platform	Ticketed events and discovery	Yes
GalaBid	Auction platform	Auctions with consignment items	Yes
GiveSmart	Event fundraising	Larger galas and auctions	No
Greater Giving	Event fundraising	An annual fundraising event	No
Handbid	Auction technology	In-person and online auctions	No
OneCause	Event fundraising	Events plus peer-to-peer and text giving	No
Ticket Tailor	Ticketing	Selling tickets on your own site	Yes

Eleven event tools for nonprofits

32auctions

Best for: Small charities and schools that want a simple online silent auction without hiring event software for a whole gala.

Auctria

Best for: Volunteer-run groups that want their fundraising events and auctions run smoothly from one easy system.

Bid Beacon

Best for: Charities that want guests to bid from their phones, with an easy dashboard for organisers.

ClickBid

Best for: Nonprofits running galas and auctions that want event fundraising software built specifically for nonprofits.

Eventbrite

Best for: Fundraisers selling tickets to public events who want a platform attendees already know and can find events on.

GalaBid

Best for: Fundraisers who want online or event auctions and the option of risk-free consignment items to fill out the auction.

GiveSmart

Best for: Larger organisations running bigger fundraising events that want an established provider of nonprofit fundraising software.

Greater Giving

Best for: Organisations whose big annual fundraising event drives giving and who want nonprofit fundraising tools built around it.

Handbid

Best for: Nonprofits that run auctions in person and online and want one bidding app for both.

OneCause

Best for: Development teams that want events, peer-to-peer fundraising and text giving from one established nonprofit fundraising provider.

Ticket Tailor

Best for: Charities that want ticket sales for talks, dinners and community events, with a free check-in app for the door.

The receipt rule for galas and auctions

Here's a detail that matters at every US fundraising event. The IRS says a charity's written disclosure statement for a gift made partly in return for goods or services must tell the donor that the deductible amount is limited to what they gave above the fair market value of goods or services received, and give a good faith estimate of that value.

Gala tickets and auction wins often count, so choose event software that records the fair market value of tickets and items and puts it on receipts. Agree the values before the event, not after.

Auction tool, gala platform or ticketing?

Online auction tools suit simple silent auctions, often run online over a few days. Gala platforms combine registration, mobile bidding, live appeals and check-in for big in-person events. Ticketing tools suit talks, dinners and community events where you mainly need to sell and scan tickets.

Match the tool to your biggest event. If your annual gala drives most of your event fundraising, choose a gala platform. If you run several smaller events, simple ticketing may be all you need.

A smoother event night

1. Open registration early and collect guest details up front.
2. Load auction items with photos, descriptions and fair values.
3. Test mobile bidding with volunteers before the event.
4. Set up quick check-in with a printed backup list.
5. Close bidding on time and announce successful bidders clearly.
6. Send thank-you emails and receipts the next day.

Features that help on the night

• Mobile bidding. Guests bid from their own phones.
• Quick check-in. Scan tickets or search names at the door.
• Live appeal tools. Show totals on screen during a fund-a-need moment.
• Fast checkout. Successful bidders pay without queuing.

Your volunteer team

Volunteers run most nonprofit events, and they're often the people guests remember. Give them simple roles, a short training session and logins tested in advance. A confident volunteer at check-in sets the tone for the whole evening.

After the event

The work isn't over when the last guest leaves. Thank attendees, share what the event achieved and invite them to the next one. Event software that exports guest lists and totals cleanly makes this follow-up much easier.

Choosing between online and in-person

Online auctions are easier to run and reach supporters who can't attend, while in-person events build stronger relationships. Many nonprofits now do both: an online auction that opens a week before the gala and closes on the night. If you're considering that, check the software handles both modes in one place, so bids and guest details don't end up split across two systems. You'll also want one set of reports afterwards, so you're not merging spreadsheets.

Do you make event software for nonprofits? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.

My plain advice on nonprofit event software

Plan the guest's experience first and choose software second. Think about how people register, bid, pay and leave, then pick the tool that makes each step quick. A queue at checkout can undo the warm feeling of a great evening.

Rehearse with real phones. Ask volunteers to register, bid and pay on their own devices a week before the event. You'll catch problems while there's still time to fix them. If you're starting out, my tips for starting a nonprofit cover the wider basics.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best event management software for nonprofits?

It depends on your events. Silent auctions, big galas and ticketed talks each suit a different kind of tool.

Is there free event software for nonprofits?

Yes. Several tools on this list describe free use or free starts. Check the table.

What must a US charity tell donors about gala tickets?

The IRS says the disclosure must explain that the deductible amount is limited to what was given above the fair market value received, with a good faith estimate of that value.

Can donors bid on their phones?

Many tools on this list support mobile bidding, so guests can bid from their own phones.

Can I run an online-only auction?

Yes. Several tools focus on online silent auctions that run over a few days.

Do I need separate ticketing and auction tools?

Not always. Gala platforms often include both, while smaller events may only need ticketing.