As tithes and offerings decline, churches are looking for new fundraising methods. One option is a raffle.

Find prizes that appeal to your target participants. Ask local businesses to donate items. Designer clothes, accessories and jewelry are popular. Painting or drawing classes are also appealing. Local artists are willing to do custom art pieces, too.

Donated Prizes

The best prizes are those that appeal to your audience’s needs, interests, or unique qualities. For example, an experiential prize like a weekend getaway or a backyard makeover is sure to be a hit amongst family members and friends. Gift card donations from local restaurants, tattoo studios, or dog trainers also make great prizes.

If your donors love to cook, offer a cooking class at a discounted price. Or if you’re offering prom tickets, ask a local limo rental company to provide transportation for two lucky winners. You can even expand one-time services into year-long subscription packages, such as a monthly or quarterly entertainment package or a box of goodies that helps your supporters stay healthy or happy.

Promoting your raffle is key to reaching and surpassing your fundraising goals. Reach out to local businesses who might be willing to display fliers or marquee messages, and reach out to media outlets in your area to feature your cause on air.

Raffle Baskets

Nonprofits can generate easy revenue from raffle baskets – especially when they are themed based on the occasion or audience of the fundraiser. For example, if you are raising money for a school sports team, a basket filled with team apparel and equipment might be the perfect offering. For a community event, you could put together a “BBQ Essentials” basket that includes a grill, charcoal, and all the other supplies needed for a great outdoor meal.

High-profile items like electronics and jewelry are always popular, but you can also get creative with your raffle baskets. For example, a basket with smart home devices can appeal to tech-lovers, while a basket with house services will appeal to busy people. Even something as simple as a gift card to a local restaurant can be very appealing. In addition, you can often find discounts on these items from vendors if you ask nicely.

Movie Tickets

Going to the movies can be a fun and family-friendly experience. But it can also be an expensive one. Even if you don’t go often, those tickets can quickly add up. Luckily, there are ways to save on movie tickets.

Check with your local theaters for ticket discounts. Many of the larger chains offer discounted matinee and weekday evening tickets during certain times of the year. And smaller, independent theaters sometimes offer reduced-price showings on specific days of the week.

Also, be sure to check with the rewards programs you belong to. Many credit card and grocery store rewards programs let you cash in your rewards points for movie tickets. And don’t forget that buying tickets in bulk can help you save money. You can purchase 25 or more tickets at a time, which will usually make them cheaper than if you buy them individually.