If you are looking for event fundraising software, you have several platforms to choose from. Two popular choices are OneCause and ClickBid. Both are veterans of the event fundraising world and offer complete event fundraising solutions including: ticket sales, guest management, online and in-person auctions, payments and online donations. Which platform is best for your charity? Let’s take a look at how these two platforms differ in their approach to fundraising.
ClickBid started in 2002 as an in-person event fundraising platform. Using computer based bidding, charities were able to increase the frequency of bids, shorten lines at check-in and check-out and give donors an exciting and competitive experience. Over the years, ClickBid has expanded to provide online auctions, mobile bidding, ticket sales and live video.
The key to ClickBid is the simplicity of using a single tool for unlimited events throughout the year. Backing up your simplified experience is a dedicated support representative who follows your account all year. They will help you setup all your events and guide you through all the fundraising opportunities.
OneCause became an early option for event fundraising in 2008. In those days, events from OneCause required equipment and cost between $14,000 and $20,000 per event.
Now that technology has put smartphones into the hands of every donor, the cost per event has dramatically been reduced. However, OneCause still remains one of the most expensive platforms available. Their pricing is not listed on their site but reviews place their annual fees around $5,000 plus credit processing fees of 3.95% (more for amex).
In addition, their support is not dedicated to each nonprofit. This creates a “call center” approach to helping charities similar to other large tech companies like AT&T.
A major differentiator between ClickBid and OneCause is transparency. Both ClickBid and OneCause have spent years building and improving features, making them leaders when it comes to what is possible in event fundraising. However, ClickBid has also strived to make pricing and fees completely transparent. Our pricing is up front and designed to let you make a confident presentation to your committee or board. We do not have any added fees beyond an annual license and a flat 3.5% credit card processing fee for all card types.
When working with OneCause you are quoted an annual license, assessed different processing rates for different card types, charged performance fees for each payment and monthly statement fees. This means that you will not be able to accurately calculate your bottom line costs until after the event.
Annual License:
Credit Processing Fee:
Performance Fees:
Statement Fees:
Total Costs:
$1,295 (unlimited events)
$1,575 (3.5%)
$0
$0
$2,870
Annual License:
Credit Processing Fee:
Performance Fees:
Statement Fees:
Total Costs:
Requires Quote
$1,777 (3.95% + 1% amex)
Yes
Yes
$4,000 and up
To help clarify the features available to ClickBid and OneCause, we have provided the following matrix.
Feature | ClickBid | OneCause |
Ticket Sales | Yes | Yes |
Guest Management | Yes | Yes |
Unlimited Mobile Bidding Auctions | Yes | Online Only |
Fixed Price & Raffles | Yes | Yes |
At-home Live Auction Bidding | Yes | No |
Paddle Raise from Any Location | Yes | No |
Event Promotional Webpage | Yes | Yes |
Customizable Mass Messaging | Yes | Limited |
Online Donations | Yes | Yes |
Event Real-time Leaderboards | Yes | Yes |
Live Auction Support | Yes | Yes |
On Call Event Night Support | Yes | Yes |
Real-time Video Streaming | Yes | No |
Bidder Chat | Yes | Yes |
Dedicated Support for All Nonprofits | Yes | No |
When deciding between ClickBid and OneCause for your charity, there are some important factors to consider. Both platforms offer annual license pricing, which is beneficial for nonprofits that conduct multiple events. They both have developed robust features not available in newer and “free with fee” platforms such as Givebutter and GalaBid.
However, OneCause’s lack of transparency on pricing plus hidden fees make ClickBid an easier choice. You can know what you’ll pay no matter how much you raise. In addition, ClickBid’s dedicated support model ensures your questions are answered by someone who knows your organization all year long.
ClickBid has spent more than 20 years focusing on maximum fundraising for charities all over North America. Our recipe of simple software and dedicated support has helped us become a top level event fundraising provider. Let us show you how we do it!
Our support team consists of seasoned, US based representatives who call ClickBid their home. Each talented team member attends events in-person to know what it feels like to be in your shoes. They personally walk you through your onboarding, answer all your questions along the way and manually review your events before they start. This isn’t extra! It’s the ClickBid Experience.
Our team is trained in helping charities migrate their event data from OneCause to ClickBid. We will walk you through a customized demo and focus on the process of migration. Unlike switching CRMs, the process is surprisingly simple and takes only minutes.
Connect directly to your account manager who will support you for the entire year. Unlike a call center, our team is dedicated to your organization. Tell your story only once and then let your account manager help you stay engaged with your donors.
With your first event set up, you're ready to engage and raise more money. Best of all, there's no more $$ to spend on multiple events. The road ahead of you is wide open for maximizing your donor experiences and raising more funds.
We love our nonprofits and they have loved using a crazy simple platform.
ClickBid’s Event Fundraising Platform is the premier software for charities, specializing in mobile bidding, ticket sales, online donations, event promotions, and fundraising event tools.
800 East Ellis Suite 533
Norton Shores, MI 49441
(800) 513-5097
(231) 799-4999 (fax)