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In this edition of The Inside Track with Jamie Baulch, we sit down with Jamie to discuss one of the most overlooked yet most critical elements of modern charity fundraising: transparency.

As the founder of BIDAID, an all-inclusive digital auction platform helping organisations raise millions for good causes worldwide, Jamie has seen first-hand how trust directly impacts results. From live bidding to post-event reporting, he explains why clarity at every stage isn’t just nice to have – it’s essential for driving engagement, revenue, and long-term supporter loyalty.

Jamie, why do you think transparency is so critical when it comes to charity auctions and fundraising?

Because people aren’t buying a product – they’re buying trust. If bidders don’t understand where the money’s going, how winners are picked, or what they’ll actually receive, they hesitate. And hesitation kills revenue.

Fundraising only works when people feel confident in the process. The clearer everything is, the more comfortable people are putting their hand in their pocket.

What safeguards has BIDAID built into its platform to protect both charities and bidders?

Everything we do is designed to be clear and traceable. That means real-time bidding, detailed lot descriptions and reserves, a proper bid trail, controlled admin permissions, and automated payment links.

If we’re running multi-winner lots, that’s disclosed upfront – no surprises. Everyone knows exactly what they’re bidding on and how it works. The goal is simple: nobody should ever feel blindsided.

Have you seen cases where a lack of transparency caused donors to lose trust in the process?

Yes – and I’ve seen it first-hand.

At an event my partner organised, a third-party provider was handling the auction. Too much was unclear, too much felt hidden behind the scenes, and donors could sense it. The atmosphere changed.

That experience played a big part in why I built BIDAID. I wanted a system that was clean, fair, and transparent from start to finish.

How can digital fundraising tools build more confidence than traditional auction methods?

Digital removes that “back room” feel.

Guests can see bids live, the process is consistent for everyone, payments are clean, and everything is logged. It feels fair – and when it feels fair, people bid harder.

Technology doesn’t just make things easier; it creates trust at scale.

How important is it to show real-time results and provide post-event reporting?

Massive.

Real-time results drive energy in the room. People get competitive, momentum builds, and fundraising accelerates.

Post-event reporting is just as important. It proves impact, protects the charity, and gives sponsors and donors confidence to come back next year. Transparency doesn’t end when the auction closes – that’s when it really matters.