A raffle is a fun and engaging way to raise money for your nonprofit. This unique fundraising idea can help your organization stand out at events, build relationships with new supporters, and increase your donor base. Nonprofits of all sizes can use a raffle as part of an event or as a standalone fundraiser.
In order to hold a raffle, you must have the proper permits and licenses in place. Contact your local government to learn more about the requirements in your area. Many states consider raffles to be a form of gambling and have specific rules and regulations around them.
Some states require you to register your raffle with the state and keep your funds in a separate account. Some even have laws governing who can participate in the raffle, or how much you can charge for tickets. You should research these requirements before your event to avoid any legal trouble down the line.
To ensure a successful event, you’ll need to sell lots of tickets to reach your fundraising goal. Depending on your event, this may mean selling tickets at an in-person event or creating a virtual raffle. To promote your event, use social media and email to let people know about it.
Raffles are especially effective at connecting with young audiences, and they can also serve as a great fundraising add-on for children’s events like fairs or school activities. For example, the Child Network nonprofit holds a raffle at their annual Christmas party to raise money for kids in Kankakee and Iroquois counties.
You can offer prizes ranging from small items like reusable tote bags and coffee mugs to larger ones such as gift certificates to restaurants or theme parks. You can also link the prizes to your nonprofit’s mission. For example, a nonprofit working on environmental issues might give away a kayak or a trip to the Galapagos Islands.
It’s important to collect contact information from everyone who buys a ticket, no matter how they entered the raffle. This information allows you to reach out to donors after the event and encourage them to donate again. You’ll want to include a short report of the results of your raffle in the thank you letter you send to donors. This can include stats such as event attendance, total raised, traffic to your charity website, and media coverage.
Before the event, you can ask local businesses to donate items to be included in the prize basket. Requesting sponsors early is important, so you have plenty of time to plan your event. You can also provide them with a promotional poster they can display at their business and show to customers or employees. You can find sample sponsorship letters here.
To make your raffle more engaging, try involving volunteers throughout the day to help your staff sell tickets and keep things running smoothly. This will not only increase engagement, but it can also create a sense of community and help your volunteers gain volunteer experience.
