New Galas & Events Updates May 2026

More nonprofits are choosing RallyUp for live events — and we’re listening closely

More nonprofits are choosing RallyUp for live events — and we’re listening closely

More and more organizations are using RallyUp to power their live in-person fundraising events, from galas and auctions to paddle raises, fund-a-needs, and donor celebrations.  

We also know that the best fundraising platforms are never finished. 

That is why we are listening closely to every request, every piece of feedback we hear from nonprofits and partners. Some improvements are big; others are small. But each one is designed with the same goal in mind: helping future live events run even better. 

Our latest Live Event improvements are part of that ongoing commitment.  

For nonprofits, a live fundraising event is more than a night on the calendar. It is a chance to bring supporters together, build momentum around your mission, and raise the funds that keep your work moving forward. 

But anyone who has planned an in-person gala, auction, paddle raise, or fund-a-need knows that event-day success often comes down to the details: 

• How quickly guests can check in 

• How confidently volunteers can use the tools 

• How smoothly the auction moves from item to item 

• How easily can donors give more 

• How much of each gift goes directly to the cause 

That is why RallyUp continues to improve the live event experience in small, practical ways that create meaningful outcomes for nonprofits.  

The latest Live Event Improvements are designed to make in-person fundraising faster, cleaner, and easier for organizers, staff, volunteers, and donors. 

What these updates help nonprofits do 

At a glance, these improvements are built to help nonprofits: 

• Run smoother events with less confusion for staff and volunteers 

• Speed up auction workflows during high-energy giving moments 

• Reduce check-in friction when guests are arriving 

• Keep donors engaged by avoiding awkward pauses or delays 

• Capture more net revenue by giving donors the option to cover processing fees 

• Adopt improvements safely without disrupting campaigns already in progress 

Each update may seem small on its own. Together, they help create a better event-day experience and a stronger fundraising outcome. 

1. Less confusion for staff and volunteers 

The improvement 

RallyUp now gives key live-event activities their own dedicated management areas: 

• Live Auction for live auction lots 

• Fund a Need for fund-a-need levels 

• Paddle Raise+ for a-thons, raffles, sweeps, crowdfunding, and store items 

Instead of navigating through one shared page with multiple item types, organizers can go directly to the activity they need. 

The nonprofit benefit 

This helps event teams move with more confidence. 

Volunteers and staff do not have to waste time figuring out where to go or which option to choose. Each page has a clear purpose, which means: 

• Faster volunteer onboarding 

• Fewer event-day mistakes 

• Less stress for organizers 

• More focus on donors and guests 

For nonprofits relying on a mix of staff, board members, and volunteers, that clarity can make the entire event feel easier to manage.

2. Faster auction entry when the room is moving quickly 

The improvement 

Live auction entry now has a cleaner, spreadsheet-style layout. The most important fields are easy to access in one row: 

• Bidder number 

• Name 

• Amount 

• Submit 

Recent bids stay visible, while item details are kept compact, so the team can focus on entering bids quickly. 

The nonprofit benefit 

When the auctioneer is building energy in the room, your software should help your team keep up. 

This update helps nonprofits: 

• Enter bids faster 

• Reduce scrolling during live auction moments 

• Keep auction momentum strong 

• Avoid delays that can slow donor excitement 

• Give guests a more polished experience 

The result is a smoother auction that feels professional, organized, and easy to follow.

3. Smoother transitions from one auction item to the next 

The improvement 

A new “Next item” flow helps organizers move from one live auction lot to the next with a simple prompt. Teams can either: 

• Close bidding and go to the next item 

• Skip closing and move ahead if the auctioneer is not ready to call a winner 

The button language has also been made clearer. Instead of “End Live Auction,” the action now says “Close bidding for this item.” 

The nonprofit benefit 

This helps nonprofits keep the program moving without confusion. 

Live auctions often require flexibility. Sometimes the auctioneer is ready to close an item. Other times, the crowd is still bidding. And sometimes the team needs to move ahead and finalize details later. 

This update gives event teams more control in the moment, helping them: 

• Avoid awkward pauses 

• Stay aligned with the auctioneer 

• Keep donors engaged 

• Move through the program more smoothly 

• Reduce pressure on the person managing the software 

A smoother flow means a better experience for both the nonprofit team and the supporters in the room.

4. Faster check-in and happier guests 

The improvement 

Ticketing modals are now easier to read and use. Updates include: 

• Full-width, stacked dropdowns 

• More room to view ticket and table names 

• Clearer table labels when a table does not have a custom name 

For example, instead of showing only a table ID, RallyUp can now show a label like “John Smith’s table.” 

The nonprofit benefit 

Check-in is one of the first impressions guests have at an event. 

When check-in is slow or confusing, the evening begins with friction. When it is fast and organized, guests feel welcomed and ready to participate. 

These ticketing updates help nonprofits: 

• Shorten lines at the door 

• Help staff find guest records faster 

• Reduce confusion around table assignments 

• Make check-in feel more personal 

• Start the event on a positive note 

That matters because a smooth arrival experience can set the tone for a more generous and engaged evening. 

5. More dollars can go directly to the mission 

The improvement 

For register-only forms, donors who save their card for automatic checkout can now choose to cover processing fees. 

The checkbox appears only when relevant and uses a familiar experience donors may already recognize from other RallyUp forms. 

The nonprofit benefit 

This gives donors a simple way to increase their impact. 

For nonprofits, even small fee coverage can add up across an event. When supporters choose to cover processing costs, the organization keeps more of the donation. 

That means: 

• More revenue stays with the nonprofit 

• Donors feel they are helping in an additional way 

• Organizations can protect more of their event proceeds 

• More funds can go toward programs, services, and mission-critical work 

It is a small checkbox with a potentially meaningful impact. 

6. A safe rollout with no event-day surprises 

The improvement 

RallyUp is rolling out these changes carefully. New and draft campaigns will receive the updated experience, while campaigns already in progress will continue running as they do today. 

There is nothing partners need to configure. 

The nonprofit benefit 

Nonprofits can take advantage of the improvements without worrying about disruption. 

That means: 

• No unexpected changes to active campaigns 

• No mid-event workflow surprises 

• No extra setup required 

• A smoother transition for teams and partners 

For organizations preparing for a major event, reliability matters.