A raffle is a simple game of chance where your donors will purchase raffle tickets to be entered into a drawing to win prizes. While you can hold a raffle as a standalone fundraiser, it’s a great add-on to any fundraising event from auctions to standard events. By adding a raffle to your fundraiser and promoting it well, you’ll get your supporters’ attention and increase participation in your event.
Before you start planning your raffle, make sure you understand what the local gambling laws are in your state. Many great raffle ideas have rules and regulations around games of chance, including raffles. In some states, any income your raffle generates may be considered taxable, and other states may require you to keep the proceeds from your raffle in a separate bank account. So, before you start sourcing prizes for your fundraiser, make sure you’ve done your research to great raffle ideas getting in trouble with the law.
How do you run a raffle?
As with any other fundraiser, you should start your planning process by setting goals for your event. Consider how much money you want to raise with your raffle, and if you’re using your raffle as an add-on to another fundraiser, take into consideration what you expect your event attendance to be. Use those estimates to figure out what kind of prizes to go after and start sourcing prizes.
Once all the set up for your raffle has been completed, it’s time to start selling tickets. If you’re adding your raffle to another event, try selling tickets online during the event registration process and give your attendees another opportunity to buy great raffle ideas at the door. For a virtual or hybrid event, add a raffle ticket item to your online store so online attendees can still participate. Boost ticket sales by teasing prize items on your social media accounts in the weeks leading up to your raffle.
When you’re selling your tickets, make sure your donors know what time your raffle drawing is being held. Designate a specific time for your raffle drawing, or if you want to keep donors engaged throughout the night, try drawing raffle tickets at various times to give away multiple prizes at a time.
Where do you get raffle items from?
Once you’ve set your goals, it’s time to go out and find the prizes you’ll be giving away. Use your great raffle ideas connections with your staff, volunteers, and board members to see if they’d be willing to contribute or can help you get in touch with people who might be able to provide you with enticing prizes. Reaching out to local businesses and artisans to see if they’d be willing to become in-kind sponsors for your event is another way you can collect items for your raffle.
What are good raffle prize ideas?
As you come up with raffle prizes for your fundraiser, keep your supporter base in mind. Collect prizes that would interest them and entice them to buy a ticket for a chance to win. But if you’re not sure where to start, here’s a list of raffle prize ideas you can use to get your donors excited about your fundraiser.