Charitable Auction Surcharge Donation Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing charitable donation systems do not integrate the option for a surcharge donation as part of the auction process in charitable auctions, limiting the potential for additional fundraising during such events.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for administering charitable auctions that includes receiving guest information, obtaining electronic payment identifiers, generating a donation screen with options for a surcharge donation, and collecting payments for both auction purchases and authorized surcharge donations, all integrated into the auction process before bidding begins.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing charitable donation systems are used, then donations can be collected during purchases, but the auction process cannot integrate surcharge donation collection
Solution Approach 1:
The system integrates multiple functions into a single platform: it handles both traditional auction bidding and surcharge donation collection, and works with various payment identifiers (credit cards, debit cards, electronic payment accounts). This multi-functionality allows the system to collect donations during auction events without requiring separate systems, thus improving adaptability while managing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the donation collection process with the auction payment process. The surcharge donation is merged into the same transaction flow as auction purchases, using the same payment identifier authorization. This merging eliminates the need for separate donation collection mechanisms, enabling surcharge integration without proportionally increasing system complexity.
2Productivity
If surcharge donation is collected after auction, then auction process remains simple, but additional administrative burden is created
Solution Approach 1:
The system obtains authorization for the surcharge donation before the auction begins. During the pre-auction setup, the host collects payment identifiers and obtains guest authorization for potential surcharge donations. This preliminary action ensures that when the auction concludes, the system can immediately calculate and collect the surcharge donations without additional administrative steps, thus improving both fundraising efficiency and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically calculates the surcharge donation amounts based on auction purchases and collects payments using the pre-authorized payment identifiers. This self-service mechanism eliminates manual calculation and collection efforts, allowing the system to handle the administrative tasks automatically while improving fundraising efficiency through streamlined processing.
3Quantity of substance
If surcharge donation option is added to auction process, then additional funds can be raised, but participant burden may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements an optional surcharge donation that guests can selectively authorize. Rather than mandating full donation collection, the system allows partial participation where guests choose whether to authorize surcharge donations during checkout. This approach increases total donation amounts from willing participants while avoiding burdening those who decline, balancing fundraising goals with participant comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The system obtains explicit guest authorization for surcharge donations before the auction begins. During the checkout process, guests are given the opportunity to review and authorize the surcharge donation terms. This preliminary authorization ensures participants are fully informed and consenting before commitments are made, reducing perceived burden while enabling additional fundraising from authorized participants.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for administering charitable auctions which generates a donation screen in electronic form that includes a donation button that indicates the guest would like to donate a surcharge donation to a philanthropic cause, and a refusal button that indicates that the guest would not like to donate. Once the guest determines whether to donate, a bid authorization is generated for the guest so that he or she may bid in the charitable auction. Following the auction, the guest is charged for any purchases during the auction, plus a surcharge donation if authorized.