GiveSmart
GiveSmart is a comprehensive fundraising and donor management software designed to help nonprofit organizations manage auctions, process mobile donations, and organize events to increase their mission's overall impact.
Zeffy
Zeffy is a 100% free fundraising platform for nonprofits that covers all transaction fees through voluntary contributions from donors to ensure every dollar goes directly to your mission.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | GiveSmart | Zeffy |
|---|---|---|
| Website | givesmart.com | zeffy.com |
| Pricing Model | Custom | Free |
| Starting Price | Custom Pricing | Free |
| FREE Trial | ✘ No free trial | ✘ No free trial |
| Free Plan | ✘ No free plan | ✓ Has free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2011 | 2016 |
| Headquarters | Chicago, USA | Montreal, Canada |
Overview
GiveSmart
GiveSmart provides you with a unified platform to manage every aspect of your nonprofit fundraising, from silent auctions to year-round donor engagement. You can move away from fragmented tools and handle ticket sales, guest registration, and secure payment processing in one centralized location. The software focuses on mobile-first experiences, allowing your supporters to bid on items or donate directly from their smartphones during live events or virtual campaigns.
Beyond event day, you can use the built-in CRM features to track donor history and automate personalized follow-up communications. Whether you are running a small local gala or a national multi-city campaign, the platform scales to meet your needs with peer-to-peer fundraising tools and detailed data analytics. It helps you build deeper relationships with your supporters while reducing the administrative burden on your development team.
Zeffy
Zeffy is a specialized fundraising platform designed exclusively for nonprofits who want to keep 100% of their donations. Instead of charging platform fees or taking a cut of credit card transactions, the system relies on voluntary tips from donors. You can manage everything from simple donation forms and peer-to-peer campaigns to complex event ticketing and lottery management without worrying about hidden costs or monthly subscriptions.
You can easily track your donor database, automate tax receipts, and sell memberships or merchandise through a single dashboard. It solves the common problem of losing 3-5% of every gift to processing fees, making it an ideal choice for small to mid-sized charities, schools, and community groups looking to maximize their impact. The platform is accessible to any registered nonprofit in North America looking for a transparent, zero-cost financial solution.
Overview
GiveSmart Features
- Mobile Bidding Let your guests bid on auction items and receive outbid notifications directly on their phones to drive higher engagement.
- Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Empower your supporters to create personal fundraising pages and recruit their own networks to donate to your cause.
- Donor Management CRM Track every donor interaction and giving history in a central database to build more personalized long-term relationships.
- Text-to-Give Collect donations instantly by allowing supporters to send a simple text message during your live presentations or appeals.
- Event Management Manage guest lists, seating charts, and check-in processes digitally to eliminate long lines at your physical events.
- Reporting and Analytics Access real-time data on campaign performance and donor behavior to make informed decisions for your future strategy.
Zeffy Features
- Custom Donation Forms. Create branded, mobile-responsive donation forms that you can embed on your website or share via direct links.
- Event Ticketing. Sell tickets for galas or workshops and check in guests using a built-in QR code scanner on your phone.
- Peer-to-Peer Campaigns. Empower your supporters to launch their own fundraising pages and reach new donor networks on your behalf.
- Automated Tax Receipts. Save hours of admin work by automatically sending customizable, brand-compliant tax receipts to your donors instantly.
- Membership Management. Launch and manage recurring membership programs with automated renewals and dedicated member communication tools.
- E-commerce Shop. Sell branded merchandise or physical goods through a simple online store integrated directly into your fundraising dashboard.
Pricing Comparison
GiveSmart Pricing
Zeffy Pricing
- Unlimited donation forms
- Zero transaction fees
- Peer-to-peer fundraising
- Event & ticket management
- Automated tax receipting
- Donor management (CRM)
- Everything in Free, plus:
- Optional donor tipping
- No cost to the nonprofit
- Transparent checkout
- Full platform access
- Standard support
Pros & Cons
GiveSmart
Pros
- Intuitive mobile bidding interface increases auction revenue
- Excellent on-site support options for live events
- Streamlined check-in and check-out process for guests
- Robust reporting tools provide deep donor insights
Cons
- Learning curve for complex backend setup
- Customization options for landing pages can be limited
- Higher price point compared to entry-level tools
Zeffy
Pros
- Completely eliminates credit card and platform fees
- Extremely simple setup process for non-technical users
- Automatic tax receipting saves significant administrative time
- Responsive customer support team for nonprofit needs
Cons
- Donor tipping prompt can occasionally confuse supporters
- Limited advanced customization for complex reporting needs
- Currently restricted to registered North American nonprofits