➕ Setting Up a Paddle Raise Item/Donation Appeal Display

 A Fund-A-Need, also called a paddle raise or direct ask, is one of the most powerful moments in a live fundraising event. Setting it up in ClickBid gives you a real-time giving display, donor recognition, and customizable visuals to keep your audience engaged and inspired.

 

🛠️ Step 1: Create the Fund-A-Need Item 

1. In the left-hand navigation, click Items to expand the menu.
2. Click Manage Items.
   
3.  Click Add Item at the top of the All Items table. 
4. In the item edit form that opens, enter an Item Name for your appeal (for example, "Fund-A-Need" or "Paddle Raise").
5. Under Item Type, select Donation.
   
   
6.  Changes save automatically as you go. 

💵 Step 2: Set Up Your Giving Levels

Pre-set denominations are the giving levels your auctioneer will call out during the appeal. Setting these up creates tap-to-give buttons that make it fast and easy for donors to participate.

1. Within the item edit form, scroll down to the Item Type located under Essentials section.
2. Locate the Pre-set Denominations area.
3. Click Denomination to add a giving level.
4. Enter the dollar amount and a sort order number to control the display sequence.
5. Repeat for each giving level you want to offer.
6. Enter levels in descending order (for example, $5,000, $2,500, $1,000, $500, $250, $100) to match the flow of a live appeal.

🎥 Step 3: Customize the Projected Display

The Projected Display is what your A/V team puts on screen during the paddle raise. You can customize it to match your event energy and show donors exactly how their impact is growing in real time.

1.  Within the item edit form, click Projected Display Settings to expand that section. 

   

2.  Choose the settings that make sense for your event: 

   

   • Animation Theme: choose a visual style for the display. Options include Standard Display, Moving Hearts, Building Hearts, School Books, and others. Select View Samples to preview each one before deciding.
   • Thermometer Display: optionally add a progress bar or thermometer visual to show how close you are to your goal.
   • Display Blocks: choose what content appears on screen: donor names, a custom message, sponsors, or a combination.
   • Donation Goal: enter your fundraising target to show progress on screen.
   • Donation Buffer: enter any offline or pre-event donations (cash, check, etc.) so they factor into the progress display.
   • Show QR Code: display a QR code on screen so guests can give directly from their phones.
   • Show Donor Names: celebrate each gift as it comes in by displaying donor names on screen.
   • Show Sponsors: display sponsor logos during the appeal for added visibility.
   • Background: choose a background color or image to set the visual tone.
   • Custom Message: add a short message (up to 100 characters) to display on screen.

🔗 Step 4: Share or Launch the Appeal Display

Once your display is all set up, you can send it to your A/V team or open it yourself on a secondary screen.

1. Within the Projected Display Settings section, locate the Appeal Display Share Link.
2. Copy the link and open it in a new browser tab, or send it to your A/V team to display on the event screen.
   

📂 Step 5: View and Manage Donations

During and after the appeal, you can track all donations submitted through the Fund-A-Need item.

1. In the left-hand navigation, click Items to expand the menu.
2. Click Manage Items.
3. Locate your Fund-A-Need item in the All Items table and click the edit icon to open it.
4. Donation activity for this item can be viewed through your standard item reports, including Event Overview, Event Sales, and Post Event Data under the Reports section.
   
   

📝 Summary

Setting up a Fund-A-Need in ClickBid takes just a few steps: create a Donation item, add your giving levels, customize the projected display, and share the link with your A/V team. The real-time display keeps energy high during the ask and gives donors instant recognition for their generosity.