Community Brands Announces Immediate Availability of Unified Mobile Bidding and Event Fundraising Platform

August 7, 2018 – ST PETERSBURG, FL – Community Brands, the leading provider of cloud-based software solutions for associations, nonprofits, schools and faith-based groups, today announced the immediate availability of a new mobile bidding and event fundraising platform. The company identified and combined the best and most innovative attributes of 501 Auctions, Gesture and GiveSmart — which were acquired by Community Brands just eight months ago — to form the state-of-the art platform now known simply as GiveSmart. 

GiveSmart offers features that revolutionize the event fundraising industry, helping charities and donation-driven organizations raise more money. Donors submit bids and track notifications on their smartphone from anywhere, a competitive dynamic which leads to greater engagement and increased donations. Organizations delight donors with better experiences, while monitoring real-time campaign performance through reporting dashboards. Nonprofits, associations, foundations and schools all currently use the company’s event fundraising technology to create more rewarding digital experiences at events. 

“Online and mobile giving data suggests that donation preferences are shifting to digital tools,” said Erin Shy, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Nonprofit Solutions, Community Brands. “We’re investing in technology that helps organizations stay ahead of the mobile expectations donors have and allows individuals to give in the manner they prefer. There’s more to come, as we continue to grow and develop the offerings of our new event fundraising platform.” 

The Community Brands 2018 Donor Experience Study highlights the importance donors place on solutions that allow them to make donations on a mobile device. The study shows that 71 percent of those surveyed have donated on a mobile device during the past year. 

GiveSmart Features, Functionality and Services 

With the new GiveSmart solution, organizations can raise funds with customizable web forms that collect donations, manage event registrations and motivate supporters to participate in peer-to-peer auctions. The unified platform is offered with a tiered service model that includes both premium, personalized services and self-service options. Organizations administer the event, register guests, manage payments, view reports and gain greater insights using the industry’s largest set of event fundraising data tools. 

Giving Escalates during 1Q and 2Q 2018 

During the first half of 2018, Community Brands reports a 27 percent year-over-year increase in fundraising events collectively powered by 501 Auctions, Gesture and GiveSmart products. During the same period, 30 percent more dollars were raised. Community Brands technology supported more than 3,700 events and helped organizations raise $400 million during the first half of 2018. 

Community Brands will celebrate the arrival of its new mobile bidding and event fundraising platform by holding a live auction during the 2018 American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) Annual Meeting and Expo event August 18 – 21 at McCormick Place in Chicago. More details about the live auction will be available at Community Brands booth #301, ASAE18 registration and throughout the event. All proceeds raised from the auction will benefit ASAE Foundation.