Fundraise Up vs GiveSmart for Nonprofits
Choosing between AI-powered online donation optimization and comprehensive event management? Fundraise Up excels at maximizing every online gift with 20-40% conversion improvements, while GiveSmart consolidates your entire event fundraising ecosystem—from mobile bidding to ticketing—into one platform. Your decision hinges on whether online giving or event revenue drives your mission, though many successful nonprofits use both to cover all fundraising channels.
Quick Verdict
Choose based on your nonprofit's primary fundraising channel:
Choose Fundraise Up if:
- •Your primary revenue comes from online giving (website, email campaigns, peer-to-peer)
- •You need to optimize donation conversion rates and see 20-40% increases
- •Mobile checkout experience (Apple Pay, Google Pay) is critical for donors
- •You're raising $250,000+ annually online and want AI to maximize every donation
- •Monthly giving conversion and recurring donation recovery are strategic priorities
Choose GiveSmart if:
- •Events (galas, auctions, golf tournaments) are your primary fundraising channel
- •You need mobile bidding, auction management, and event ticketing in one platform
- •You run 3+ major fundraising events annually and want to eliminate multiple tools
- •Virtual and hybrid event capabilities are important for your audience reach
- •You want predictable pricing with unlimited events included ($1,195/month flat fee)
At-a-Glance Comparison
| Feature | Fundraise Up | GiveSmart | Winner / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $500-$2,000/month platform fee | $1,195/month (unlimited events) | ⚖️ Context-dependent |
| Processing Fees | 2.2% + $0.30 per transaction | 3.5% (standard), 3.95% (Amex) | 💰 Fundraise Up (lower fees) |
| Nonprofit Discount | Available on request | Included in pricing | 🤝 Both offer nonprofit pricing |
| Primary Use Case | Online donation optimization | Event management & mobile bidding | Different channels |
| AI Capabilities | Ask optimization, upsells, recovery | Bidding predictions, limited AI | 🤖 Fundraise Up (core AI focus) |
| Mobile Experience | Apple Pay, Google Pay, one-click | Award-winning mobile bidding | Both excel (different use cases) |
| Event Management | Not available | Comprehensive (ticketing, bidding, seating) | 📅 GiveSmart (event-specific) |
| Integrations | Salesforce, Blackbaud, Classy, Every Action | Salesforce, payment processors, livestream | 🔌 Fundraise Up (broader CRM) |
| Learning Curve | Intermediate (1-2 weeks) | Intermediate (2-3 weeks) | Both require training |
| Conversion Lift | 20-40% increase reported | N/A (event-focused) | 📈 Fundraise Up (proven results) |
| Best For Org Size | $250K+ annual online donations | $50K+ annual event revenue | Different thresholds |
| Auction Features | None | Complete auction management suite | 🎯 GiveSmart only option |
Last updated: January 7, 2026. Pricing and features subject to change; verify with vendors.
Head-to-Head Feature Breakdown
AI Donation Optimization
Fundraise Up
Core strength: AI analyzes donor behavior to suggest optimal ask amounts, intelligent upsells (18-25% convert to monthly giving), and abandonment recovery (8-15% recovery rate). Smart card updater automatically updates expired cards for recurring donations.
Impact: 20-40% increase in online fundraising, 2-3 month ROI for $250K+ organizations.
GiveSmart
Limited AI: Bidding predictions during auctions, personalized donor journey optimization. AI is not the primary differentiator—event management features take center stage.
Impact: AI enhances events but isn't measured by conversion lift metrics.
Verdict for Nonprofits:
If AI-driven revenue growth is your priority, Fundraise Up delivers measurable results. GiveSmart's AI is supplementary to event features.
Mobile Fundraising
Fundraise Up
One-click checkout with Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, and Venmo. Mobile-optimized donation forms with autocomplete and minimal friction. Designed for year-end email campaigns where donors give on phones.
Best for: Individual donors giving via mobile during email campaigns or website visits.
GiveSmart
Award-winning mobile bidding app for auctions. Attendees browse items, place bids, receive outbid notifications, and pay from their phones. Also handles event registration, ticketing, and check-in via mobile.
Best for: Event attendees engaging with auctions and activities in real-time.
Verdict for Nonprofits:
Both excel at mobile but for different contexts. Fundraise Up for individual giving; GiveSmart for event engagement.
Event Management & Auctions
Fundraise Up
Not designed for events. No auction management, ticketing, registration, or seating features. Fundraise Up focuses exclusively on online donation forms and campaigns.
Best for: Nonprofits whose events are secondary to online giving.
GiveSmart
Comprehensive event platform: registration, ticketing, table/seating management, silent/live auction management, mobile bidding, livestream integration for virtual/hybrid events, real-time dashboards, post-event reporting.
Best for: Organizations running galas, golf tournaments, auctions, and multi-event calendars.
Verdict for Nonprofits:
If events drive your fundraising, GiveSmart is essential. Fundraise Up doesn't compete in this category.
CRM Integration & Data Sync
Fundraise Up
Native integrations with Salesforce, Blackbaud, Classy, Every Action, Mailchimp, HubSpot, and Zapier. Real-time donation sync ensures CRM records update immediately. Strong focus on donor database integration.
Integration depth: Bi-directional sync for comprehensive donor profiles.
GiveSmart
Salesforce integration via AppExchange (Salesforce Connector). Payment processor integrations for donation processing. Livestream platform integrations for virtual events. CRM export capabilities but fewer native CRM integrations.
Integration depth: Event data exports to CRMs; Salesforce has dedicated connector.
Verdict for Nonprofits:
Fundraise Up offers broader native CRM integrations. GiveSmart covers Salesforce well but relies more on exports for other systems.
Recurring Donations & Sustainer Programs
Fundraise Up
Core feature: Intelligent upsells convert 18-25% of one-time donors to monthly giving. Smart card updater automatically updates expired cards to prevent churn. Abandonment recovery campaigns re-engage donors who didn't complete transactions.
Impact: Significantly higher sustainer conversion and retention rates.
GiveSmart
Supports recurring donations but not the primary focus. No AI-driven conversion optimization or smart card updating. Works for basic sustainer programs but without Fundraise Up's advanced features.
Impact: Standard recurring donation functionality without AI optimization.
Verdict for Nonprofits:
If building a sustainer program is strategic, Fundraise Up delivers superior results through AI.
Analytics & Reporting
Fundraise Up
Real-time dashboards showing conversion rates, average gift size, monthly giving conversions, abandonment recovery performance, and A/B testing results. Focus on donation funnel optimization metrics.
Insights: Track donation form performance and AI optimization impact.
GiveSmart
Comprehensive event analytics: real-time bidding dashboards during events, attendee engagement tracking, revenue by event/campaign, post-event reports with detailed breakdowns. Focus on event ROI metrics.
Insights: Track event performance, bidding activity, and overall event revenue.
Verdict for Nonprofits:
Different analytics for different channels. Both provide strong reporting within their domains.
Pricing Breakdown & Total Cost of Ownership
Understanding the true cost of each platform requires looking beyond monthly fees to include processing costs, transaction volume, and hidden expenses. Here's a comprehensive breakdown to help you calculate total cost of ownership for your nonprofit's specific situation.
Fundraise Up Pricing
Platform Fee (Monthly)
- $500-$2,000/month depending on donation volume
- Custom quotes based on organization size
- Nonprofit-specific pricing available
Processing Fees
- 2.2% + $0.30 per transaction
- Applies to all credit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, Venmo donations
Setup & Implementation
- One-time setup fee: $1,000-$5,000 typical
- 4-8 hours staff time for basic implementation
- 1-2 weeks to full proficiency
GiveSmart Pricing
Platform Fee (Monthly)
- Starting at $1,195/month
- Approximately $2,395-$14,340/year depending on plan
- Unlimited events and campaigns included
Processing Fees
- 3.5% standard credit card processing
- 3.95% American Express processing
- Donor fee coverage option available
Setup & Implementation
- Included in subscription (no separate setup fee)
- 10-15 hours staff time for comprehensive event
- 2-3 weeks to full proficiency
Total Cost of Ownership Scenarios
Small Nonprofit: $100K Annual Online Donations
2-5 staff, basic online giving, 1-2 events per year
Fundraise Up Annual Cost
- Platform fee: $6,000-$12,000/year ($500-$1,000/month)
- Processing (2.2% on $100K): $2,200
- Setup: $1,000 (one-time)
- Year 1 Total: $9,200-$15,200
- Year 2+ Total: $8,200-$14,200/year
ROI potential: 20% lift = $20K extra revenue. Pays for itself in ~6 months.
GiveSmart Annual Cost
- Platform fee: $14,340/year ($1,195/month)
- Processing (3.5% on event revenue varies): Est. $1,750 (on $50K event revenue)
- Setup: Included
- Year 1 Total: ~$16,090
- Year 2+ Total: ~$16,090/year
Value: Replaces 4-6 event tools. Better fit if events are primary channel.
Recommendation for Small Nonprofits:
If online giving is primary revenue, Fundraise Up is more affordable and delivers higher ROI. If events drive fundraising, GiveSmart consolidates tools despite higher cost.
Mid-Sized Nonprofit: $500K Annual Online Donations
6-15 staff, robust online giving, 3-5 major events annually
Fundraise Up Annual Cost
- Platform fee: $12,000-$24,000/year ($1,000-$2,000/month)
- Processing (2.2% on $500K): $11,000
- Setup: $3,000 (one-time)
- Year 1 Total: $26,000-$38,000
- Year 2+ Total: $23,000-$35,000/year
ROI potential: 30% lift = $150K extra revenue. Pays for itself in 2-3 months.
GiveSmart Annual Cost
- Platform fee: $14,340+/year (depends on tier)
- Processing (3.5% on event revenue): Est. $8,750 (on $250K event revenue across 5 events)
- Setup: Included
- Year 1 Total: ~$23,090
- Year 2+ Total: ~$23,090/year
Value: Unlimited events at flat fee. Strong ROI if running 3+ major events.
Recommendation for Mid-Sized Nonprofits:
Many organizations use BOTH at this scale: Fundraise Up for year-round online giving optimization and GiveSmart for managing 3-5 major events. Combined cost ~$46K-$61K but covers all fundraising channels with specialized tools.
Large Nonprofit: $2M+ Annual Online Donations
16+ staff, sophisticated digital fundraising, major event program
Fundraise Up Annual Cost
- Platform fee: $24,000+/year (custom enterprise pricing)
- Processing (2.2% on $2M): $44,000
- Setup: $5,000 (one-time)
- Year 1 Total: ~$73,000
- Year 2+ Total: ~$68,000/year
ROI potential: 25% lift = $500K extra revenue. Pays for itself immediately.
GiveSmart Annual Cost
- Platform fee: $14,340+/year (enterprise tier available)
- Processing (3.5% on event revenue): Est. $35,000 (on $1M event revenue)
- Setup: Included
- Year 1 Total: ~$49,340
- Year 2+ Total: ~$49,340/year
Value: Handles unlimited major events with predictable pricing.
Recommendation for Large Nonprofits:
Both platforms are strategic investments at this scale. Most large nonprofits deploy both to optimize each fundraising channel with specialized tools rather than compromising with all-in-one solutions.
Hidden Costs to Consider
Fundraise Up
- •Staff training time (1-2 weeks to proficiency)
- •CRM integration setup (if custom integration needed)
- •Ongoing form optimization time (minimal with AI)
GiveSmart
- •Staff training time (2-3 weeks for event features)
- •Livestream service costs (if hosting virtual events)
- •Time investment per event setup (10-15 hours for galas)
- •Annual commitment (vs month-to-month flexibility)
Use Case Scenarios: When Each Tool Shines
Fundraise Up Success Scenarios
Scenario 1: Year-End Giving Campaign Optimization
Organization: Regional food bank raising $400K annually, 60% from November-December email campaigns
Challenge: Mobile donors (70% of traffic) abandoning donation forms due to friction; struggling to convert one-time givers to monthly sustainers
Solution: Implemented Fundraise Up's one-click mobile checkout and intelligent monthly giving upsells
Result: 35% increase in year-end revenue ($140K additional), 22% monthly sustainer conversion (vs 8% previously), 12% abandonment recovery rate
ROI: Platform cost $10K/year; additional revenue $140K = 1,300% ROI in year one
Scenario 2: Peer-to-Peer Campaign Conversion
Organization: Animal rescue nonprofit running annual "Walk for Paws" with 500 participants
Challenge: Fundraising page donors dropping off at checkout; average gift size lower than anticipated
Solution: Integrated Fundraise Up donation forms with AI ask amount optimization and Apple Pay/Google Pay
Result: 28% higher average gift ($85 vs $66), 18% higher completion rate, 15% of donors converted to monthly giving post-event
ROI: Campaign revenue grew from $33K to $48K; Fundraise Up cost ~$1K for campaign period
Scenario 3: Recurring Donation Recovery & Growth
Organization: Environmental advocacy group with 1,200 monthly sustainers contributing $18K/month
Challenge: Losing 8-12% of sustainers monthly to expired credit cards and involuntary churn
Solution: Enabled Fundraise Up's smart card updater to automatically update expired cards before transactions fail
Result: Churn reduced from 10% to 4% monthly, recovering $13K/month in at-risk revenue; abandonment recovery campaigns added $2K/month
ROI: Recovered $180K annually in revenue that would have been lost; platform cost ~$15K/year
GiveSmart Success Scenarios
Scenario 1: Annual Gala Consolidation & Mobile Bidding
Organization: Children's hospital foundation hosting annual gala with 600 attendees, raising $500K
Challenge: Using 5 separate tools (ticketing, registration, auction, payment processing, donor management) creating coordination headaches and high costs
Solution: Consolidated to GiveSmart for end-to-end event management with mobile bidding app
Result: Eliminated $8K/year in separate tool costs, reduced event planning time by 40% (2 full weeks saved), mobile bidding increased auction revenue 15% ($30K additional)
ROI: Platform cost $14K/year; savings + revenue increase = $38K net benefit
Scenario 2: Virtual & Hybrid Event Expansion
Organization: Arts nonprofit pivoting from in-person-only galas to hybrid events reaching broader audience
Challenge: Needed platform supporting both in-person attendees and virtual participants with seamless auction and giving experience
Solution: Implemented GiveSmart with livestream integration for virtual attendees and mobile bidding for all
Result: Expanded attendance from 200 to 500 (300 virtual), increased revenue from $120K to $185K, reached donors in 15 states vs local-only previously
ROI: $65K additional revenue; GiveSmart enables hybrid model impossible with previous tools
Scenario 3: Multi-Event Organization Efficiency
Organization: Youth development nonprofit running 4 major fundraising events annually (gala, golf tournament, 5K run, silent auction)
Challenge: Each event using different systems; no centralized donor data; staff spending 60+ hours per event on logistics
Solution: Moved all events to GiveSmart with unlimited event creation and centralized participant database
Result: Reduced event planning time 50% (120 hours saved across 4 events), unified donor tracking improved follow-up, predictable $1,195/month cost vs variable per-event fees
ROI: 120 hours saved = $6K in staff time; eliminated $4K in per-event fees; improved donor relationships
Scenario 4: Auction Revenue Maximization
Organization: Private school running silent and live auctions as primary fundraisers (80% of annual revenue)
Challenge: Paper bidding sheets limiting participation; difficulty tracking live auction activity; post-event checkout chaos
Solution: Deployed GiveSmart mobile bidding app with automated bidding notifications and instant checkout
Result: Bidding participation increased 45% (more attendees engaged), average bids per item up 30%, checkout time reduced from 90 minutes to 20 minutes, auction revenue grew from $180K to $245K
ROI: $65K revenue increase; platform cost $14K/year = 464% ROI plus improved attendee experience
Learning Curve & Implementation Timeline
Both platforms require initial investment in setup and training, but the timelines and complexity differ based on your use case. Here's what to expect when implementing each platform at your nonprofit.
Fundraise Up Implementation
Difficulty: Intermediate | Timeline: 1-2 weeks to full proficiency
Week 1: Setup & Configuration (4-8 hours)
- Account creation and payment processor connection (1-2 hours)
- Basic donation form creation and branding (2-3 hours)
- Website integration (embed code or WordPress plugin) (1-2 hours)
- Test donations and checkout flows (30 minutes)
Week 2: Optimization & Integration (3-5 hours)
- CRM integration setup (Salesforce, Blackbaud, etc.) (2-3 hours)
- AI features configuration (ask amounts, upsells) (1 hour)
- Team training on dashboard and analytics (1 hour)
Time to First Value:
You can accept optimized donations within 4-8 hours of starting setup. Full proficiency with AI features and reporting achieved in 1-2 weeks.
GiveSmart Implementation
Difficulty: Intermediate | Timeline: 2-3 weeks to full proficiency
Week 1: Platform Setup (3-5 hours)
- Account creation and organization profile setup (1 hour)
- Payment processing and banking connection (1-2 hours)
- Team member access and permissions (30 minutes)
- Onboarding call with GiveSmart support (1 hour)
Week 2-3: Event Configuration (10-15 hours for full gala)
- Event creation: registration, ticketing, seating (3-4 hours)
- Auction item setup (catalog, descriptions, values) (4-6 hours)
- Mobile bidding app customization and testing (2-3 hours)
- Virtual/livestream integration (if applicable) (1-2 hours)
- Staff training on event day management (1 hour)
Time to First Value:
Simple event (registration only) ready in 1-2 hours. Comprehensive gala with auctions requires 10-15 hours over 2-3 weeks. Subsequent events are faster (3-5 hours) using templates.
Support Resources Available
Fundraise Up
- Dedicated implementation specialist (during onboarding)
- Email support (typically 24-48 hour response)
- Knowledge base with setup guides and best practices
- Video tutorials for common tasks
- Quarterly optimization reviews (higher tiers)
GiveSmart
- Dedicated success manager (onboarding and ongoing)
- Phone, email, and chat support (business hours)
- Event-day support (live assistance during your event)
- Comprehensive help center and video library
- Webinars and user community
Integration Ecosystem & Workflow Automation
Both platforms integrate with common nonprofit tools, but their integration strategies differ. Fundraise Up emphasizes CRM and donor database connections, while GiveSmart focuses on event-related integrations like livestreaming and payment processing.
| Integration Category | Fundraise Up | GiveSmart |
|---|---|---|
| CRM Systems | Salesforce, Blackbaud, Bloomerang, DonorPerfect, Neon CRM | Salesforce (via AppExchange), data exports for others |
| Email Marketing | Mailchimp, Constant Contact, HubSpot, Campaign Monitor | Basic email capabilities built-in, exports to email platforms |
| Payment Processing | Stripe, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, Venmo | Multiple processors, donor fee coverage option |
| Fundraising Platforms | Classy, Every Action, Donorbox | Native platform, no need for additional fundraising tools |
| Event/Livestream | Not applicable | YouTube, Facebook Live, Vimeo, custom RTMP streams |
| Automation/Zapier | Yes, plus native integrations | Limited, relies more on native features |
Fundraise Up Workflow Example
Online Donation → CRM → Email Nurture
1.Donor completes donation on Fundraise Up form with AI-optimized ask amount
2.Donation data syncs to Salesforce/Blackbaud in real-time (name, amount, recurring status)
3.Donor automatically added to Mailchimp nurture campaign based on gift size
4.If recurring donor, smart card updater monitors for expiration
5.Abandonment recovery emails sent automatically to incomplete donations
Setup time: 2-3 hours for full workflow; minimal ongoing maintenance
GiveSmart Workflow Example
Event Registration → Bidding → Payment → CRM
1.Attendee registers and purchases gala ticket through GiveSmart
2.Mobile bidding app access granted; attendee browses auction items
3.Real-time bidding during event; automated outbid notifications
4.Instant checkout after event; payment processed via mobile app
5.Event data (ticket, auction purchases, donations) exported to Salesforce
Setup time: 10-15 hours for comprehensive event; 3-5 hours for subsequent events
Data Privacy, Security & Compliance
Both platforms handle sensitive donor data, so security and compliance are critical considerations for nonprofits. Here's how each platform approaches data protection, particularly important for organizations collecting credit card information and personal donor details.
| Security Feature | Fundraise Up | GiveSmart |
|---|---|---|
| PCI DSS Compliance | PCI DSS Level 1 certified | PCI DSS Level 1 certified |
| Data Encryption | TLS 1.2+ encryption in transit, AES-256 at rest | SSL/TLS encryption in transit, encrypted at rest |
| Data Residency | US and EU data centers available | US-based data centers |
| GDPR Compliance | Yes, GDPR compliant with data processing agreements | Yes, GDPR features available |
| SOC 2 Certification | SOC 2 Type II certified | Information not publicly disclosed |
| Data Ownership | Nonprofit owns all donor data | Nonprofit owns all event and donor data |
| Data Export | Full data export available anytime | Full data export available anytime |
| Fraud Prevention | Advanced fraud detection and blocking | Payment processor fraud protection |
Fundraise Up Security Highlights
- PCI DSS Level 1 certification ensures highest payment security standards
- SOC 2 Type II audit for enterprise-grade security controls
- GDPR-compliant with EU data residency options
- Advanced fraud detection prevents unauthorized transactions
GiveSmart Security Highlights
- PCI DSS Level 1 certified for secure event payment processing
- Secure mobile bidding with encrypted communications
- GDPR features for international event attendees
- Nonprofit retains full ownership and export rights to data
Sensitive Data Handling Guidelines
For both platforms: Credit card data is never stored on nonprofit servers—it's tokenized and handled by PCI-compliant payment processors (Stripe, etc.). This means your nonprofit doesn't bear the compliance burden of storing payment information. However, you are responsible for donor personal information (names, emails, addresses) stored in your CRM integrations.
Recommendation: Implement data retention policies, conduct annual security reviews, and ensure staff handling donor data complete basic privacy training. Both platforms meet industry security standards, but nonprofit practices matter equally.
Pros & Cons for Nonprofits
Fundraise Up
Pros
- Proven conversion lift: 20-40% increase in online fundraising is measurable and consistent across nonprofits
- Exceptional mobile experience: One-click Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, Venmo checkout eliminates friction
- AI actually delivers: Ask amount optimization, upsells, and abandonment recovery work as advertised
- Sustainer program powerhouse: 18-25% conversion to monthly giving with smart card updater preventing churn
- Strong CRM integrations: Native connections to Salesforce, Blackbaud, Bloomerang, and major nonprofit platforms
- Fast ROI: Typically 2-3 months for organizations raising $250K+ annually online
Cons
- ✗Higher cost for small orgs: $500-$2,000/month platform fee may not justify ROI if raising under $100K online
- ✗Setup complexity: Initial implementation requires clean donor data and technical integration (4-8 hours minimum)
- ✗No event features: If events are your primary fundraising channel, Fundraise Up doesn't help
- ✗Learning curve for analytics: Advanced features like A/B testing require understanding optimization metrics
- ✗Requires clean data: AI optimization works best with quality donor data—garbage in, garbage out
GiveSmart
Pros
- True all-in-one solution: Replaces 4-6 separate event tools (registration, ticketing, auctions, payment, check-in)
- Award-winning mobile bidding: Attendees love the mobile auction experience with real-time notifications
- Unlimited events: $1,195/month covers unlimited galas, golf tournaments, auctions—no per-event fees
- Virtual & hybrid ready: Livestream integration brings in remote attendees and expands reach
- Predictable pricing: Fixed monthly fee with transparent processing costs (no surprise charges)
- Event-day support: Dedicated team available during your events for live assistance
Cons
- ✗Significant upfront cost: $1,195/month minimum may be too high for small nonprofits with 1-2 simple events
- ✗Steeper learning curve: Comprehensive event features require 2-3 weeks to master (10-15 hours setup)
- ✗Overkill for basic needs: If you just need simple registration, GiveSmart's power comes with complexity
- ✗Limited AI capabilities: AI bidding predictions exist but aren't as advanced as Fundraise Up's optimization
- ✗Annual commitment: Typically requires annual contract vs month-to-month flexibility
- ✗Higher processing fees: 3.5-3.95% processing vs Fundraise Up's 2.2% adds up on large event revenue
Balanced Assessment:
Neither platform is universally "better"—they excel in different fundraising channels. Fundraise Up maximizes online giving revenue through AI; GiveSmart consolidates event management complexity. Many mid-to-large nonprofits use both tools to optimize each channel rather than compromising with a one-size-fits-all solution.
Final Recommendation: Choosing Your Path Forward
The choice between Fundraise Up and GiveSmart isn't about which platform is "better"—it's about which aligns with your nonprofit's primary fundraising model.
Decision Framework: 5 Key Questions
1. What percentage of your revenue comes from online donations vs. events?
If 60%+ is online → Fundraise Up. If 60%+ is events → GiveSmart. Mixed model → consider both.
2. What's your annual online donation volume?
$250K+ annually → Fundraise Up ROI is compelling. Under $100K → may not justify platform cost yet.
3. How many major fundraising events do you run annually?
3+ events → GiveSmart unlimited model makes financial sense. 1-2 events → evaluate per-event alternatives.
4. Is AI optimization or event consolidation more valuable to you?
AI optimization → Fundraise Up (20-40% lift). Tool consolidation → GiveSmart (replaces 4-6 tools).
5. What's your tolerance for monthly platform costs?
$500-$2K/month → Fundraise Up range. $1,195/month fixed → GiveSmart. Budget tight → may need alternatives.
Still Deciding?
Book a free consultation and we'll help you evaluate which platform—or combination of both—best fits your nonprofit's fundraising strategy, budget, and technical capacity.
Next Steps: Testing & Evaluation
If considering Fundraise Up:
- Request demo at fundraiseup.com
- Calculate your potential ROI (20-40% lift on current online giving)
- Verify CRM integration compatibility
- Ask about nonprofit pricing tiers
If considering GiveSmart:
- Request demo at givesmart.com
- Calculate cost of current event tools to compare
- Test mobile bidding app user experience
- Discuss virtual/hybrid event requirements