How to Raise Funds with CareToBid

How It Works

The Care to Bid platform allows you to hold online auctions using the bidding fee auction format (also called a penny auction).

Bidders pay a fee to purchase bids (think of a token at an arcade) that they then spend to place a bid. Each of the bids increases the price of the item by a small amount and the auction is extended each time a new bid is placed, typically by 10 to 20 seconds. Once time expires without a new bid being placed, the last bidder wins the auction and pays the amount of that bid.

You receive the money paid for each bid, plus the final price of the item; these combined revenues frequently total significantly more than the value of the items being sold.

What Items Can I Auction

Care to Bid allows you to easily create items by using your own photos and descriptions of items.

Many fundraisers find items online that they can auction off and pay for AFTER the auction has ended. We allow anything that is legal and can be delivered to the buyer within the terms set forth on your auction.

Important: DO NOT auction items which you cannot deliver to the winner.

Promoting Your Fundraiser

Like any fundraiser, to be successful, you MUST let people know about your fundraiser. Even though we have a growing user base, you need to get the word out for your fundraiser auction to be a success!

CareToBid provides powerful built-in tools to maximize your fundraising success:

• Viral Social Media Sharing: You and each of your supporters can share your auctions directly to Facebook, X (Twitter), and Instagram with pre-formatted, engaging posts. Our built-in referral program automatically rewards your supporters with free bid credits when they spread the word, and new users receive signup bonuses when they join to view your fundraiser—creating a viral growth effect that expands your reach exponentially.
• Automated Email Campaign Tools: Easily send personalized email invitations to your entire contact list with one click. Your supporters can do the same, allowing your fundraiser to reach thousands of potential bidders through trusted personal networks. Each email contains a users personal referral code.
• Built-In Referral Incentive System: Every person who shares your fundraiser becomes a motivated promoter. When their friends sign up and participate, they earn promotional bid credits—turning passive supporters into active advocates who have a personal stake in spreading the word about your cause.
• Professional Marketing Materials: Our team can help create custom, professional-quality flyers, social media graphics, and promotional materials tailored specifically to your cause. Our professional designers can handle the creative work so you can focus on your mission.
• Media Outreach & Press Support: We'll help you craft compelling press releases and provide guidance on distributing them to local newspapers, TV stations, radio, and online media outlets. Get your cause the visibility it deserves with professionally written content that captures attention.
• Strategic Partnership Development: Connect with complementary organizations, local businesses, and community groups to cross-promote your fundraising efforts. Our designers can provide co-marketing materials that benefit both organizations.
• Gamified Engagement Rewards: Keep bidders coming back with our streak bonus system and tiered referral incentives. Users earn rewards for daily participation and bringing in new supporters, creating sustained engagement throughout your fundraising campaign instead of one-time participation.

How Fundraisers Receive Funds

Fundraisers and worthy causes receive funds from two sources:

1. Bid Credit Values: Each bid credit is worth the cost the user paid to acquire it. When a credit is used on your auction item, you receive the value of that bid credit. For example:
   • A bid credit purchased for $1.00 raises $1.00 for your cause
   • A bid credit acquired through a promotional discount for $0.50 raises $0.50 for your cause
   • Freely acquired bid credits (signup bonuses, referral rewards, streak rewards) do not contribute a direct monitary value to your cause, but will extend the auction encouraging additional bids.
2. Final Auction Price: The winning bidder pays the final auction price, which also goes to your fundraiser

Total Funds Calculation: Your total funds raised = (sum of all bid credit values used on your auction) + (final auction prices of your items) - (costs of auctioned goods) - (platform processing fees)

Bid credits are used on a First In, First Out (FIFO) basis, meaning they are automatically used in the order they were acquired by the bidder.

Platform Fee