CharityHappenings, an online calendar of fund-raisers, recently launched a free service that allows nonprofits to list, promote, and sell tickets for events via its Web site. After creating an account, planners enter information into predefined fields to create a ticketing page that can be customized to represent the look and feel of an event. Users can also add information about sponsors, display auction items, collect donations, and promote an organization's mission.
When guests click on a link to the site, an invitation image (created and uploaded by the nonprofit) pops up, saving money on printing and mailing costs. While there is no charge to use the service, CharityHappenings charges 99 cents plus a 3 percent fee per attendee (up to $7.49) at the point of sale. (The nonprofit can determine whether it or the attendees will pay the service fee based upon the specific ticket type.) For the time being, the service only allows tickets to be purchased in American dollars, but the company says a Canadian version is coming soon.
