GiveSmart is Great!
Updated May 28, 2021
GiveSmart is Great!
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Overall Satisfaction with GiveSmart
We needed an online/mobile bidding software to handle our silent auction and other fundraising events. We created a special program that need remote users to access a silent auction instead of the traditional paper and pen. We also wanted to be able to open the auction to have as many possible eyes on our items we were auctioning off.
- Mobile bidding.
- Online donations.
- Online ticketing.
- You can't use items that have cents involved, only whole dollars. It needs to be able to handle cents but currently can't.
- In kind data doesn't always copy over from one campaign to the other. You have to re-enter information when you have the same donor for multiple campaigns.
- Adding or subtracting tickets to a company isn't possible once the initial purchase has been completed. To fix this is a pain and requires refunding the entire order and starting over. That is annoying.
- GiveSmart increased our Silent Auction revenues by 40% in our first year.
- GiveSmart has allowed us to create unique fundraising events that didn't require actual attendance. This allowed us to create new events that raised over $100,000.
- GiveSmart has a great function that allows for a great online visual for people to see silent auction items allowing us to market those easier via social media.
We haven't used any other software besides GiveSmart. As I was trying to decide between three different online software platforms, I created a potential ROI and Cost/Benefit analysis to help me figure out which mobile bidding/online platform would give us the best overall value for our money. After I put all the information in and analyzed the data, the final difference between GiveSmart and the other top contender literally came down to $3 in total difference in costs over a period of 3 years. The way we made the ultimate choice to use GiveSmart is talking with one of our donors whom had used GiveSmart before and since that person was donating the first year cost of the software, we went with what this person was familiar and comfortable with. We believe that we made the right choice and have been thrilled with GiveSmart.
I love the fact that GiveSmart allows us to completely customize the look and feel of our campaign based on what we are doing. We are able to change backgrounds, add videos, customize the layout, text and overall feel of each campaign. We customize each different campaign to evoke different emotions based on whom our attendees are while keep a consistent branding across all the campaigns we run on GiveSmart.
Using GiveSmart
4 - Development/Fundraising
Marketing
Executive Director
Bookkeeping
Marketing
Executive Director
Bookkeeping
1 - We really use only our Development Officer as the principal person that uses GiveSmart. This person is responsible for creating the campaigns, maintaining the data base, reporting and executing the campaigns. This person also designs the look and feel of each campaign, entry of all the items and dealing with the customers when they have an issue. This is typical of a smaller nonprofit.
- Silent Auctions
- Ticketing
- Donor Management
- We use this as a way to enter information for pledge drives
- We have started using it to replace our CRM
- We'd like to use it to replace our current CRM but the full functionality of it isn't there yet
Do you think GiveSmart delivers good value for the price?
Yes
Are you happy with GiveSmart's feature set?
Yes
Did GiveSmart live up to sales and marketing promises?
Yes
Did implementation of GiveSmart go as expected?
Yes
Would you buy GiveSmart again?
Yes
Evaluating GiveSmart and Competitors
No - We reviewed and compared/contrasted two other mobile bidding software systems when we made the purchase.
- Price
- Product Features
- Product Usability
- Product Reputation
We compared and contrasted GiveSmart with another competitor when we made the purchasing decision. We did a complete ROI and it turned out the top two systems we compared (along with GiveSmart) came within $3 difference in a period of a year when all the known costs were figured into the equation. The functionality of each system were very similar and each had one or two "special features" that each claimed. However, in the end, for our needs, these "special features" really didn't matter. Our decision to go with GiveSmart literally came down to selecting the one that one of our top donors were used to using since we hadn't had a mobile bidding system before.
We actually vetted each potential organization through a comprehensive ROI process. We also followed up with each organization's references that each supplied and they all checked out. For us, what it really came down to in our initial decision is we talked to all our stakeholders and the person that donated the purchase of this system was used to using GiveSmart so we went with GiveSmart. Honestly, we wouldn't change the way we evaluated the competing mobile bidding software systems as we were quite thorough.
GiveSmart Implementation
- Implemented in-house
Change management was minimal - We just made the change. We didn't have a mobile bidding software to begin with so there wasn't anything to change let alone managing the change.
GiveSmart Training
- Online training
Yes, the training is very easy to learn without training. They use common words versus technical words so even a non-savvy tech person can figure out how to use their system. I'm sure that we are only utilizing less than 50% of GiveSmart's total functionality but that is fine with us as we are happy with our results. I'd recommend this as a way for a company to use.
Configuring GiveSmart
We do not. We didn't have to configure GiveSmart.
No - we have not done any customization to the interface
No - we have not done any custom code
None, sorry.
GiveSmart Support
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Quick Resolution Good followup Knowledgeable team Problems get solved Kept well informed No escalation required Immediate help available Support understands my problem Support cares about my success Quick Initial Response | None |
No. I didn't even know it was an option. However, even if it was an option we wouldn't have purchased it anyway as we are very satisfied with the level of support we get for free.
Yes - The issue was resolved within 24 hours which is very acceptable.
I tend to come up with some unique ideas for fundraising that tests the limits of their software functionality. GiveSmart has been very responsive and send the idea/issue up their change even to the VP level to get it figured out. That is impressive especially considering I never even had to escalate an issue or idea. They just solve the problem.
Using GiveSmart
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Like to use Relatively simple Easy to use Technical support not required Well integrated Consistent Quick to learn Convenient Feel confident using | None |
- Creating/designing campaigns
- Entering items
- Reporting
- Changing a ticket once it's paid for
- All thank you letters and statements come in one PDF for everyone versus for each person when you run the single report.
Yes - The mobile interface works excellently. You can't even tell the difference between the mobile and the computer based.
GiveSmart Reliability
Integrating GiveSmart
Relationship with Community Brands
We didn't. We bought the package as is.
Honestly, you don't need any tips, everyone at GiveSmart is very friendly, knowledgeable and accessible.