Press Releases
Community Brands Adds Mobile Event Fundraising Technology To Power More Than 100,000 Association, Nonprofit And K-12 School Events
Acquisition of 501 Auctions and Gesture, with agreement in principle to acquire GiveSmart, strengthen Community Brands product portfolio with high-quality, robust, mobile-first fundraising event solutions for associations and nonprofits to enhance donor experiences and raise more funds
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Community Brands, a technology-driven company that delivers purpose-built solutions for the world’s leading associations and nonprofits, today announced the addition of 501 Auctions and Gesture to the company, and an agreement in principle to acquire GiveSmart. The acquisition of these mobile auction technology leaders extends the Community Brands product portfolio to provide mobile auction and fundraising event services to help organizations improve the donor experience and increase fundraising revenue.
“These mobile auction industry leaders are a great addition to Community Brands, and they strengthen our team and expand our expertise in the nonprofit market,” said Jean-Paul (JP) Guilbault, president and CEO of Community Brands. “Their mobile technology supports the growing expectations of donors who conduct their everyday lives on their mobile devices, and fits our overall strategy to be the most innovative technology company worldwide, while serving those who serve for social good.”
The 501 Auctions and Gesture teams, along with the GiveSmart team when the acquisition is final, will join Community Brands Nonprofit Solutions division led by Executive Vice President Erin Shy.
“We’re excited to bring these event fundraising leaders on board to help nonprofits deliver a better, more flexible and personalized donor experience, while increasing the funds they raise, streamlining the event process, and reducing their fundraising event costs,” Shy said. “We look forward to working with the respective teams to expand their reach and integrate them with the Community Brands ecosystem of solutions and services, along with the thousands of events we support and run through our systems.”
Some of the combined, more notable fundraising partners 501 Auctions, Gesture and GiveSmart have helped make change happen include: Alzheimer’s Association, American Lung Association, American Red Cross, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, Goodwill, Junior League, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Make-A-Wish, Ronald McDonald House and YMCA.
Details of the deal were not disclosed.
Community Brands will celebrate its new growth and new offering of mobile fundraising event solutions by holding an auction leading up to the opening of ASAE Tech 2017 and during a portion of the two-day conference at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland. All proceeds raised from the auction items will benefit Make-A-Wish® Mid-Atlantic Inc.