OneCause vs. GiveSmart – What You Need to Know
Whether your nonprofit is seeking to upgrade its current mobile bidding or online fundraising tools, or you’re navigating this decision for the first time, we know the stakes are high. Your fundraising efforts drive your mission – and being able to execute successful events and campaigns is the difference between meeting goals and falling flat.
In this guide, we simplify the process of selecting the best fundraising software by offering a direct comparison between two platforms — OneCause and GiveSmart. We focus on key categories that matter most to nonprofits, cutting through the noise so that you can make informed decisions with confidence.
With the right software in hand, your nonprofit will be equipped to elevate donor engagement, host unforgettable charitable events, and ultimately raise more with a donor experience you can be proud of.
History and Stability
Choosing the right fundraising software goes beyond features – it’s about finding a partner you can trust with your results and donor experience. Make sure to select a company that aligns with your mission and values while demonstrating a proven ability to deliver.
GiveSmart is the result of a 2019 merger under Community Brands, uniting New York-based 501 Auctions, Chicago-based Gesture, and Atlanta-based GiveSmart. Since then, GiveSmart has undergone further changes, including the acquisition of California-based MobileCause in June 2021 and, more recently, its 2024 acquisition by TA Associates.
GiveSmart has attempted to combine different fundraising platforms, customer bases, and processes into a meaningful software experience for its customers. As for the overall success of these ongoing mergers and acquisitions, you can check out customer opinions and reviews on Capterra, G2 Crowd, and TrustRadius.
OneCause has been helping nonprofits raise over $6.5B since 2009. Recognized as a top fundraising software provider and industry leader by G2 Crowd, OneCause has consistently demonstrated its commitment to the nonprofit sector. With 11,000 nonprofits served over the past decade, the team continues to deliver results under steady leadership.
OneCause owns and develops its proprietary award-winning Mobile Bidding, Online and Event Fundraising, Peer-to-Peer, and Text2Give® software to offer nonprofits cutting-edge mobile fundraising technology with proven reliability.
TIP: Look for a company that has a consistent track record, deep event experience, and a history of delivering results for nonprofits of all sizes.
Easy-to-Use Software
When you’ve invested time and resources into fundraising software, it’s essential to ensure that your software then makes your online campaigns, event planning, onsite execution, and guest experiences easier!
GiveSmart offers a Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Mobile Bidding solution, but its support resources are limited. With a lack of comprehensive training materials or a robust knowledge base, customers are often left to navigate the platform independently. This can result in more time spent learning the software and less time actively fundraising!
OneCause takes a different approach, offering user-friendly and flexible software that simplifies online and event fundraising for your team and your supporters. OneCause provides both DIY and Full-Service (Staffed) Mobile Bidding packages to accommodate your nonprofit’s unique needs and budget. Moreover, OneCause customers benefit from a rich hub of knowledge bases and easy-to-use training materials, as well as an AI-powered support resource that delivers 24/7 personalized assistance.
TIP: To maximize your fundraiser’s success, choose software that is intuitive for donors to use and offers reliable onsite support when needed.
Onsite Staffing & Expertise
When hosting an in-person event, having reliable and experienced onsite support and expertise can dramatically improve your fundraising success.
GiveSmart outsources their day-of and onsite support to third-party firms at an additional cost to their customers. Little is known about the certification or training levels of their third-party staffing. This lack of direct interaction with the GiveSmart team on event day could negatively impact your fundraising results.
OneCause, a pioneer in the fundraising software space for over a decade, has supported more than 70,000 events and online fundraising campaigns. OneCause offers comprehensive support through a team of certified, in-house Consultants and Event Managers. All customers receive live support, site reviews, and quality checks before their event. For Full Service Mobile Bidding customers, OneCause provides access to a dedicated Fundraising Consultant in the lead-up to the event, as well as onsite Event Managers to assist in executing a flawless fundraising experience.
In addition, all OneCause customers benefit from award-winning, U.S.-based, in-house support analysts with years of fundraising expertise, dedicated to enhancing your outcomes.
TIP: Choose a partner whose event and support teams have proven success and high standards for certification and event execution.
Flexible Fundraising
Every nonprofit is unique – as are their fundraising events, auctions, and campaigns. As you select your mobile bidding and online fundraising software, it is important to work with a partner who offers a comprehensive and flexible solution, one that meets your organization’s immediate needs but also has the flexibility to grow with your fundraising efforts over time.
GiveSmart focuses primarily on event-driven fundraising and mobile auctions, making it an option for nonprofits looking to specialize in these areas. However, since its acquisition by Community Brands and TA Associates, the software has seen limited updates. This has left many customers managing their fundraising efforts with aging technology that may not keep pace with their growing needs.
However, the most successful fundraisers extend their fundraising efforts beyond a signature auction or gala. They require a solution that supports their mission 365 days a year, offering flexibility for all types of campaigns – not just events.
OneCause delivers best-in-class mobile bidding functionality, honed over 15 years of innovation. Unlike its competitors, OneCause is continuously evolving, with weekly updates that reflect the team’s commitment to innovation and continuous improvement. OneCause incorporates cutting-edge technology, including AI, to help nonprofits save time, increase fundraising revenue, and enhance the donor experience.
In addition, OneCause has expanded its product suite to offer solutions “beyond the ballroom,” including industry-leading Online Fundraising, Peer-to-Peer Fundraising, and Text2Give®. These tools empower nonprofits to manage a wide variety of fundraising initiatives, from auctions and galas to charity runs, walks, rides, and ambassador-led campaigns.
TIP: Choose a platform with robust, innovative options that can grow with your nonprofit. This will give your team the freedom and flexibility to engage donors in creative ways, year after year.
Customer Service & Support
How your technology partner supports your organization is crucial to the overall success of your fundraising efforts. When evaluating potential partners, it’s important to consider the quality and availability of their customer support and whether these services are included in your package.
GiveSmart has recently limited their customer support to email and online chat. By removing access to live phone support, organizations will likely struggle to find quick solutions to their product questions, which can slow down their fundraising efforts and impact the success of their event or campaign.
OneCause takes a more hands-on approach, offering award-winning, U.S.-based, in-house service and support. With a strong emphasis on client success, OneCause has helped nonprofits manage over 70,000 events and campaigns, all while maintaining a customer satisfaction (CSAT) score of over 96%.
As a partner, OneCause has proven its ability to scale and offer personalized service to nonprofits of all sizes – especially yours.
In addition to a dedicated, year-round Customer Success Manager and Fundraising Consultant, OneCause customers are equipped with several resources to ensure their success. Live phone, email, and chat (along with extended and weekend support hours) are available to customers no matter their time zone. Many OneCause customers elect to have a dedicated Event Manager onsite to help oversee their event.
OneCause University offers self-paced learning, assessments, and on-demand webinars to enhance your team’s fundraising skills. Nonprofits can also connect through Online Communities to share best practices. The extensive resource library includes both live and on-demand webinars, providing continuous learning opportunities.
TIP: Ask for details on how your fundraising will be supported year-round. Confirm what support hours are available and explore what online tools and resources are offered to help your team boost fundraising success.
CRM Integration
Efficient data transfer is critical for nonprofits. Without it, you risk losing valuable donor information or wasting valuable staff time on manual data entry – time better spent on your mission. That’s why CRM integration is essential.
GiveSmart offers integration to its own CRM at no cost but charges additional fees for nonprofits seeking to integrate their CRM from common providers. Currently, GiveSmart provides limited integrations, leaving customers to rely on basic dashboards for donor data and reporting, which offer only surface-level insights into event performance.
OneCause is quickly expanding its integration strategy to include a spectrum of popular CRM providers on the market. In addition, OneCause offers a comprehensive library of data exports that are compatible with most donor databases and CRM solutions, ensuring your nonprofit can easily access and manage critical fundraising data.
TIP: Before committing to auction software, request a list of available data exports and integrations. Having robust CRM integration and data access at your fingertips will save your team time and enhance your overall fundraising efforts.
Wrapping Up! OneCause vs. GiveSmart
When selecting a fundraising solution for your organization, it’s important to stay focused on your nonprofit’s unique goals. Take the time to assess your needs and consider these key questions:
- Are you looking to raise more by engaging your donor base in new, meaningful ways?
- Do you need trained, reliable onsite event staff to ensure smooth event execution?
- Does having access to expert support matter to your fundraising success?
- Do you want a long-term partner who consistently innovates and grows alongside your nonprofit?
Answering these questions will help you narrow down your choices and guide your team toward the right platform that delivers the best results.
OneCause has been a trusted partner to nonprofits of all sizes for over a decade. As a single, stable company, OneCause has helped more than 11,000 nonprofits raise over $6.5 billion. When you partner with OneCause, we put your cause at the center of everything we do.
Leveraging Social Fundraising
In today’s technology-driven, social media-centric world, your donors’ networks are a powerful, often untapped resource. To expand your fundraising reach, it’s essential to choose a software solution that amplifies your cause and mobilizes your supporters.
GiveSmart’s peer-to-peer capabilities are limited in scope. With its primary focus on events and mobile auctions, GiveSmart’s Champion Fundraising product lacks the robust functionality that nonprofits need for multi-campaign, year-round social fundraising.
In contrast, OneCause offers best-in-class Peer-to-Peer and Online Fundraising solutions designed to truly engage your supporters and turn them into active fundraisers. Through mobile-optimized tools, OneCause enables your donor base to extend fundraising efforts beyond your signature events.
OneCause allows nonprofits to run multiple social fundraising campaigns simultaneously, all within the same system. Key features include customizable participant pages, seamless social media integration, text messaging capabilities, matching gift options, and other tools that drive participation and foster healthy competition.
TIP: Make sure your peer-to-peer fundraising software is equipped to engage donors year-round and is mobile-optimized for anytime, anywhere giving.