Why We Exist: Our Mission & Vision
At CharityAuctionsToday, our mission is simple yet bold:
Empower organizations of all sizes with world-class auction technology—so they can raise more, reach more, and impact more.
We believe that fundraising success should not be reserved for large nonprofits with deep resources. Every cause deserves access to intuitive tools, transparent systems, and support that lets them focus on meaningful work—not technical hurdles.
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Get Started with CharityAuctionsOur Story: From One Mother’s Cause to Thousands of Events
Since 2007, our founders Tom and Jen Kelly have built this platform from the ground up with heart and intention. Tom first saw the struggle when helping his mother run a fundraising auction. Hidden fees, complexity, and a lack of flexibility made it tougher than it needed to be.
He joined forces with Jen—whose background in event planning and nonprofits gave her front-line insight into what fundraisers actually need. Together, they asked:
“What if we built a platform that puts power back into the hands of fundraisers?”
Today, thousands of schools, churches, PTOs, and nonprofits use CharityAuctionsToday to run events that are professional, efficient, and impactful.
What We Do: Platform, Support & Impact
Seamless Auction Platform
- Branded, no-code auction page creation in minutes
- Flexible support for in-person, hybrid, or fully virtual events
- Built-in mobile bidding, automatic pricing logic, and real-time updates
Donor-Centric Experience
- No app required — mobile-first web bidding
- Instant notifications for outbids, wins, and closing
- Secure payments, tax receipts, and delivery options
Support That Cares
- 24/7 customer support & live help
- Dedicated onboarding and training
- Archive of guides, webinars, and best practices
True Giving Back
Each year, we commit 20% of profits to charities and mission-driven programs around the globe. Because we fundraise for causes—but we’re also a cause.
Our Core Values: The Heart of Our Work
| Core Value | What It Means for You |
|---|---|
| Empowerment | Tools built to amplify your mission—not hold it back |
| Accessibility | No tech barrier. No minimums. No nonprofit left behind |
| Transparency | Clear fees, clear reporting, clear impact |
| Integrity | We give back. We keep promises. We do what’s right |
| Support | You’re not alone — from day one to your next big event |
Voices That Define Us
“I wanted to create a platform that puts the power back in the hands of fundraisers — everyday heroes making a difference.”
— Tom Kelly, Co-founder & CTO
“We’re here to support our users every step of the way, no matter their size or experience.”
— Jen Kelly, Co-founder & Customer Lead
Our Commitment to You & Your Cause
You deserve a platform that:
- Scales with your events
- Simplifies every step—from setup to payout
- Delivers clean data and transparent results
- Frees you to do what matters most (the mission)
We believe your success is our success.
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Join thousands of organizations that use CharityAuctionsToday to raise more funds with less stress.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who founded CharityAuctions.com?
CharityAuctions.com was founded by Tom Kelly, an entrepreneur dedicated to helping nonprofits raise more money with less stress through modern, easy-to-use fundraising tools.
Is Tom Kelly a TEDx speaker?
Yes. Tom Kelly is a TEDx speaker who shares actionable ideas on legacy, leadership, and using technology to scale impact—insights that inform our platform and customer education.
What does CharityAuctions.com do in one sentence?
We provide AI-assisted auction and event tools that help nonprofits launch faster, drive more bids and donations, and reconcile payouts with transparency.
Who uses your platform?
Nonprofits, schools and PTOs, faith organizations, clubs, and charity event planners—from first-time volunteers to experienced development teams.
What makes CharityAuctions.com different from other auction tools?
A lightning-fast setup, AI helpers for item descriptions and promotion, transparent fee controls, robust mobile bidding, and clear payout reporting built for busy teams.
Do you support in-person, virtual, and hybrid auctions?
Yes. Run fully online auctions, in-room mobile bidding, or hybrid events with donations, buy-now items, and paddle raises—all in one catalog.
How does pricing work and who pays fees?
We offer transparent platform pricing. Admins can choose to absorb, pass on, or split eligible fees at checkout. Offline payments can be recorded for complete reporting.
What kind of support will we receive during our event?
Access our Help Center, live chat, and email support. We also provide step-by-step guides, templates, and best-practice playbooks to ensure a smooth event.
Do you integrate with payment processors and other tools we use?
Yes. Connect secure online payments and use built-in exports for accounting and donor stewardship. Contact us if you have a specific integration question.
How do we get started if we’re new to auctions?
Create your free account, add a few items, and publish a draft catalog. Use our promotion toolkit and onboarding checklist—then open bidding when you’re ready.
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