Why Auction Tech is
a Must-Have for
Younger Generations

Auction technology isn’t just a “nice-to-have” anymore—especially when it comes to engaging younger donors. If you’re not leveraging technology to run your auction smoothly, you’re missing out, big time.

According to the 2025 State of Nonprofit Auctions Report, Gen Z and Millennials are the generations driving tech-forward auction experiences. And they’re making it clear: if it’s not seamless and digital, they’re not into it.

But what does this mean for nonprofits? Simply put, if you’re not leveraging technology to provide a frictionless auction experience, you could be missing out on a major opportunity to engage this younger, tech-savvy audience.

Mobile Bidding? It’s a Must!

Think about it: Gen Z and Millennials are digital natives. They’ve grown up with smartphones in-hand, and their expectations for a smooth, efficient experience are higher than ever. Mobile bidding gives them a way to participate in auctions on their terms, wherever they are, at any time.

According to the report, 31% of attendees of all ages placed their silent auction bids via mobile devices. For Gen Z, this number was 44%, and 34% for Millennials. It’s clear that integrating mobile bidding is an effective way to keep younger donors engaged and participating throughout the auction. 

Outbid Notifications & Real-Time Updates

Another key finding from the report is the importance of real-time bidding updates. 65% of Gen Z and Millennials prefer receiving outbid notifications via text, compared to 43% of Gen X and 24% of Boomers/Matures. These notifications keep donors in the loop, heightening the excitement and keeping them engaged throughout the event. 

When you make it easy for younger donors to stay informed in real-time, you encourage continued bidding, which leads to higher revenue per item. Plus, competition is part of what keeps auctions exciting. By notifying bidders immediately that someone placed a higher bid, you’re not just enhancing the excitement of the event, you’re increasing the chances for higher bids.  

Instant Gratification: The Power of Fixed-Price and Buy-It-Now Items

Society as a whole has increasingly come to expect instant gratification, and this is particularly true for today’s younger donors. And that’s where fixed-price or buy-it-now items come in. An incredible 61% of Gen Z and Millennial auction donors love these options because they can make a purchase instantly—no waiting or bidding wars involved. Compare that to 39% of Gen X and 20% of Boomer/Mature auction donors. 

These items tap directly into younger donors’ desire for quick, seamless transactions. When they see something they like, they want to grab it and move on—no waiting for the last bid. This simple addition can make a big difference in keeping younger donors engaged and ready to act.

Personalized Recommendations Drive More Bidding

Don’t just offer random items—automatically tailor the experience to what your donors actually want. The report found that 59% of younger donors love receiving suggestions for similar items they might like based on what they’re already interested in or bidding on. Think of it like Amazon—if they can browse with ease and find more things that appeal to them, they’re more likely to keep bidding.  

By offering this kind of tailored experience, you’re not just giving them more options—you’re enhancing their connection with the event. They’ll feel like the auction is designed for them, which can increase their engagement and boost bidding. 

The good news? OneCause found that offering automatic item suggestions boosted proceeds on sold auction items by 25%! 

What Can You Do?

So, what does all this mean for you as a nonprofit? It’s simple: to engage younger auction donors, you need to embrace auction technology. Here are a few actionable steps to enhance your auction experience:

• Invest in mobile bidding technology so your audience can participate effortlessly, no matter where they are.
• Enable real-time notifications and use text alerts to notify attendees when they’ve been outbid. This keeps them engaged and encourages them to stay in the game.
• Include fixed-price or buy-it-now items so younger donors can make instant purchases without waiting.
• Choose a platform that offers automatic item recommendations based on bidder behavior to add a touch of personalization to your event while boosting revenue.

Wrapping Up

Younger generations expect technology to enhance their experiences—not just as a convenience but as a core part of how they interact with nonprofits. If you’re not using auction technology to meet their expectations, you’re likely missing an opportunity to drive higher engagement and, ultimately, greater revenue.

The 2025 State of Nonprofit Auctions Report shows that younger donors are tech-savvy, eager to participate, and ready to engage, provided you make it easy for them. By investing in the right technology, your auction won’t be just a fundraising event—it will be a memorable experience that keeps younger donors coming back for more.