Charitybuzz
Charitybuzz is a New York-based online auction and sweepstakes marketplace that connects nonprofits with donors via celebrity, athlete, and brand experiences and memorabilia, monetizing through transaction fees and having facilitated $650M+ in cumulative nonprofit fundraising.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2010
- HeadquartersNew York, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What Charitybuzz does
Charitybuzz is a New York-based for-profit online auction and sweepstakes marketplace that facilitates fundraising for nonprofit organizations. Founded by Ben Erwin (approximately 2005-2010), the company connects nonprofits with individual donors through three transaction formats: timed Auctions (the core product), a Buy Now e-commerce storefront at shop.charitybuzz.com, and Sweepstakes with entry donations starting as low as $10. The company curates unique lots by partnering with celebrities, athletes, cultural icons (including Paul McCartney, George Clooney, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Oprah Winfrey, and Tim Cook), and global brands such as Christie's, Netflix, Paramount, Virgin Galactic, and Polo Ralph Lauren. Lot categories span Memorabilia & Collectibles, Experiences & Events, Travel & Adventure, Food Wine & Spirits, Fashion & Jewelry, and Art & Design.
The platform is built on a web marketplace complemented by native iOS and Android mobile applications, with Facebook OAuth for identity and a Google Maps integration embedded inside the partner-facing AI-powered intake form (launched September 2025) that converts partner submissions into polished, on-brand auction lot descriptions. In November 2025, Charitybuzz partnered with fintech platform Change to automate compliance and payment infrastructure, replacing manual back-office processes. Charitybuzz monetizes via transaction fees on auction sales and sweepstakes entries, and serves a customer base of thousands of nonprofits across education, health, animal welfare, cultural preservation, disaster relief, ocean health, and hunger relief verticals.
The company has cumulatively facilitated more than $650 million in unrestricted funding for nonprofits globally, draws tens of thousands of emerging donors annually (many making their first significant charitable contribution), and reaches donors through content marketing, email, social media, and high-profile event-driven activations including SXSW, MLB World Series campaigns, and the long-running Hungerthon. It is privately held under Charitybuzz, LLC, headquartered at 437 Fifth Avenue, 11th Floor, New York, with an 11-50 employee headcount, no disclosed institutional investors beyond a single $3M round in October 2012, and a 2015 acquisition of Chideo (a charity-video platform) on record.
Charitybuzz firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Charitybuzz
- Legal name
- Charitybuzz, LLC
- Website
- https://charitybuzz.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2010
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Charitybuzz is a New York-based online auction and sweepstakes marketplace that connects nonprofits with donors via celebrity, athlete, and brand experiences and memorabilia, monetizing through transaction fees and having facilitated $650M+ in cumulative nonprofit fundraising.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Charitybuzz industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Online Charitable Auctions & Sweepstakes Marketplace
- NAICS
- Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Community Fundraisers & Charity Events (Gala/Walks excluded) (MPAGAEAK)
Keywords
Where Charitybuzz is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- New York
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Charitybuzz business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Auction Transaction Fees: Charitybuzz earns revenue by facilitating charitable auctions where unique experiences and items are sold to the highest bidder, with proceeds going to designated nonprofits. The platform takes a commission on successful transactions.
- Sweepstakes Entry Donations: Sweepstakes generate revenue through entry donations starting as low as $10, offering participants the chance to win exclusive experiences while supporting charitable causes.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Sweepstakes entry donations starting at $10 |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Auction-based pricing |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels5 records
Charitybuzz product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Charitybuzz operates an online impact marketplace where nonprofit organizations list unique celebrity experiences, memorabilia, and brand-partnered items for auction, Buy Now, and sweepstakes. Individual donors and philanthropists bid, purchase, or enter sweepstakes (with entry donations starting at $10), and Charitybuzz earns a transaction-based commission on successful sales. The company also supports direct nonprofit partnership onboarding through an AI-powered intake form.
Product overview
Charitybuzz is a charitable auction platform operating as a unified marketplace connecting nonprofits with philanthropists. The platform offers Auctions and Buy Now as the primary transaction mechanisms, complemented by Sweepstakes with entry donations starting at $10. Products are organized into categories including Memorabilia & Collectibles, Experiences & Events, Travel & Adventure, Food Wine & Spirits, Fashion & Jewelry, and Art & Design. The platform includes a partner-facing AI-powered intake form for nonprofits to submit lots, and mobile applications for iOS and Android. The company has raised over $650 million for nonprofits globally.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Charitybuzz Auctions Main online auction platform enabling registered users to bid on celebrity, travel, and sports experiences and items, with proceeds benefiting designated nonprofit organizations. Pricing is determined by competitive bidding.
- Buy Now Marketplace (shop.charitybuzz.com) E-commerce storefront for immediate fixed-price purchases of memorabilia, fashion, art, and other items, complementing the auction model with non-bid transactions.
- Charitybuzz Sweepstakes Charitable sweepstakes platform offering entry donations starting at $10 for chances to win exclusive experiences and items, supporting nonprofits and broadening donor participation.
- Charitybuzz iOS Mobile App Native iOS application available on the App Store for browsing auctions, sweepstakes, and placing bids on the go.
- Charitybuzz Android Mobile App Native Android application available on Google Play for browsing auctions, sweepstakes, and placing bids on the go.
- AI-Powered Partner Intake Form AI-powered partner-facing intake form that converts nonprofit-submitted inventory details into polished, on-brand auction lot descriptions, with intelligent guided questions, smart prompts, Google Maps address verification, and structured blackout dates.
Quantifiable outcome
- Raised more than $650 million in unrestricted funding for thousands of nonprofits globally
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Charitybuzz
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Charitybuzz technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
AI capability2 records
Feature2 records
Charitybuzz partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and flagship.
- SorinexminorAthletic performance equipment company partnered with Johnny Knoxville to release limited edition 'Knoxville Strong' apparel collection. Charitybuzz hosted the associated sweepstakes and auction tied to the new Jackass movie release.
- ChangecoreCharitybuzz partnered with Change to enhance growth and operational efficiency by replacing manual processes with automated compliance and payment infrastructure. The collaboration aims to increase fundraising capacity and ensure regulatory compliance, supporting Charitybuzz's goal to raise more money for nonprofits.
- Breastcancer.orgcoreBreast Cancer Changemakers Auction launched October 15-30, 2025, featuring prominent sports figures like Martina Navratilova and Kahleah Copper to raise funds for Breastcancer.org.
- WhyHungercoreAnnual Hungerthon campaign in its 40th year, uniting thousands of supporters through SiriusXM and iHeartRadio NY with artists like Bruce Springsteen and Yoko Ono Lennon. Last year, WhyHunger connected 1 million people to healthy food and invested $1M in local organizations.
- WELL/BEINGScore501(c)(3) venture philanthropy organization focused on elevating under-recognized causes. Campaigns support ocean health initiatives, mangrove restoration efforts, and humane education programs.
- The Department of AngelscoreCo-founded by Snap Inc.'s Evan Spiegel, provides resources and connection for communities impacted by the 2025 Los Angeles fires.
- Wags and WalkscoreLos Angeles and Nashville-based dog rescue that has found loving homes for more than 10,000 once-at-risk pups through adoption, volunteer, and humane education programming since 2011.
- Tibet House UScoreFounded at the request of the Dalai Lama, dedicated to preserving Tibetan cultural heritage, wisdom, and spirit through education, arts, and programs that uplift communities worldwide.
- Tourism CarescoreFor more than 20 years, Tourism Cares has mobilized leading travel companies to create positive social and environmental impacts for destinations and communities served by the travel industry.
- Full Count Foundation (Fernando Tatis Jr.)corePartnership with Padres All-Star Fernando Tatis Jr. featuring exclusive athlete-signed memorabilia, unique art, jewelry and more to support underserved communities.
- Cal Ripken Sr. FoundationcoreConnected dozens of baseball fans with tickets to each game of the 2025 World Series, raising nearly $30,000.
- Jesús Luzardo's FoundationcoreRoc Nation agent experience, first pitch opportunities, and Phillies VIP gameday generated more than $20,000 for the family foundation.
- Pedro Martinez FoundationcoreCustom-designed Aston Martin Vanquish delivered to auction winner, raising $60,000 for youth-focused foundation.
- Lide HaiticoreCo-founded by Rainn Wilson, supports girls in Haiti through arts-centered programming. Private dinner party with The Office cast raised more than $300,000.
- Christie'sflagshipGlobal auction house partner providing high-value items and experiences for charitable fundraising.
- Netflix, Paramount, Virgin Galactic, Polo Ralph LaurenflagshipGlobal brands partnering with Charitybuzz to transform cultural moments and fan communities into powerful engines for social good.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Charitybuzz competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- GalaBid: Specialized online and mobile auction software for nonprofit galas and fundraising events. Closely comparable in product (auctions for nonprofits) and target buyer (event organizers), though primarily serves galas rather than experience-led auctions.
- Handbid: Mobile-first silent and live auction platform purpose-built for nonprofit galas and events. Comparable as a focused nonprofit auction competitor with overlapping mobile bidding and event experience offerings.
- Auctria: Online auction management platform with both for-profit and nonprofit use cases, featuring silent, live, and online auctions. Directly comparable auction product category targeting nonprofit event organizers.
- OneCause: Fundraising platform for nonprofits offering mobile bidding, auctions, peer-to-peer campaigns, and event management. Directly overlaps Charitybuzz's auction and event-driven nonprofit fundraising motion with a larger software suite.
- Charity Auctions Today: Direct competitor offering online silent and live charity auction software for nonprofits. Most comparable on the auction-format and nonprofit-customer-axis dimensions of Charitybuzz's business.
- Bidding for Good: Online charity auction platform serving schools and nonprofits with silent, live, and online auction formats. Competes head-to-head with Charitybuzz for nonprofit auction customers in the same product category.
Broad incumbents
- Bonterra: Suite of nonprofit software products (formerly Network for Good, Causeview, etc.) covering fundraising, CRM, and grants management. Broad incumbent that competes in the broader nonprofit technology stack in which Charitybuzz's auction product is procured.
- FrontStream: Broader nonprofit and payment technology provider offering auction, donation, and event solutions to nonprofits and charities. Incumbent with overlapping auction capability and significantly larger organizational footprint.
- Classy (GoFundMe Pro): Established nonprofit fundraising platform (now part of GoFundMe Pro) covering donation pages, peer-to-peer, events, and auctions at scale. Larger incumbent with broader feature set that competes for the same nonprofit customer budgets as Charitybuzz.
Emerging players
- Givebutter: Modern, fast-growing online fundraising platform for nonprofits offering donation forms, auctions, events, and peer-to-peer in a unified product. Adjacent competitor that has expanded into auction functionality overlapping Charitybuzz's territory.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Charitybuzz social profiles
Digital presenceCharitybuzz financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Charitybuzz leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Charitybuzz funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Charitybuzz M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Charitybuzz
What does Charitybuzz do?
Charitybuzz operates an online impact marketplace where nonprofit organizations list unique celebrity experiences, memorabilia, and brand-partnered items for auction, Buy Now, and sweepstakes. Individual donors and philanthropists bid, purchase, or enter sweepstakes (with entry donations starting at $10), and Charitybuzz earns a transaction-based commission on successful sales. The company also supports direct nonprofit partnership onboarding through an AI-powered intake form.
Is Charitybuzz a public or private company?
Charitybuzz is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Charitybuzz founded?
Charitybuzz was founded in 2010. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Charitybuzz based?
Charitybuzz is headquartered in New York, United States, in the North America region.
How does Charitybuzz make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Auction Transaction Fees are the primary driver. The others are sweepstakes Entry Donations.
Who are Charitybuzz's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are GalaBid, Handbid, Auctria, OneCause, Charity Auctions Today and Bidding for Good. Broad incumbents are Bonterra, FrontStream and Classy (GoFundMe Pro). Givebutter is listed as an emerging player.
Does Charitybuzz have an API?
No public API is recorded for Charitybuzz.
What industry is Charitybuzz in?
Charitybuzz's product category is Online Charitable Auctions & Sweepstakes Marketplace. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAGAEAK, Community Fundraisers & Charity Events (Gala/Walks excluded). Its NAICS code is 8132 and its SIC code is 8300.