Abstract:
The present invention discloses methods, systems, and program code that enable a nonprofit organization to manage its fundraising activities online. Disclosed are methods and systems for providing online hosting of fundraising auctions, and auction services such as maintaining donor/bidder registries, bid tracking, processing credit cards, and auction closeout activities. Also disclosed are a plurality of on-line, web-based tools, including tools for: 1) building a customized homepage reflecting the look and feel of the nonprofit organization; 2) building a customized catalog that allows for easy addition of items and pictures; and 3) enhanced email messaging that lets a nonprofit organization reach its constituents. According to one aspect of the invention, a nonprofit organization may request their constituents to donate items for an auction catalog, through either an email with an embedded link or icon that leads to a catalog item entry web page. The data describing the donated items are reviewed and edited, and, upon approval, added to the database associated with the auction and published in the auction catalog. Optionally, the constituent can assign the item to a particular participant, cause, chapter, or organization for credit. According to another aspect of the invention, a donor may view all items currently donated to an auction or to multiple auctions along with the current status of each donated item on a personal web page.