A bingo night fundraiser is one of the best ways to raise money for your team, cause, or school. Bingo is cost-effective, easy to play, and brings everyone together, from kids and parents to grandparents and neighbours.
This guide walks you through how to plan a bingo fundraiser from start to finish, including what supplies you need, how much to charge, bingo fundraiser prize ideas, and creative themes to help you raise even more.
Give yourself six to eight weeks to plan, especially if you need a licence or want to collect donated prizes. Here's how to get organized.
Decide how much you want to raise and what it's for, such as new uniforms, a class trip, or tournament fees. A clear goal helps you set prices and gives supporters a reason to show up.
In Canada, bingo events where players pay to play and win prizes are often regulated by your province or territory, and many require a licence, even for charities and schools. Contact your provincial gaming regulator or local municipality early to find out what applies to your event.
Recruit volunteers for ticket sales, calling numbers, checking winning cards, running the snack table, and setup and cleanup.
A school gym, church hall, or community centre works well. Confirm the date, capacity, tables and chairs, and whether you can sell food on site.
Estimate your costs for supplies, prizes, and food, then set your entry fee so you comfortably cover expenses (see pricing tips below).
Start reaching out to local businesses for prize donations at least a month ahead, if possible. Otherwise, gift cards are an excellent alternative if you can't get any donations.
Decide how many games you'll play (10 to 15 is typical for a two-hour event), which patterns you'll use, and which prize goes with each game.
Start spreading the word about three to four weeks before your bingo night.
You only need a few key supplies to run a bingo night. Contact your local community centre to see if they have equipment you can borrow; you can often get it for free or for a very small fee.
The right price depends on your audience and your prizes. A family-friendly school bingo night usually works best with a low entry fee of $5 to $10, while an adults-only evening with bigger prizes can support $15 to $25 or more.
To set your price, add up your expected costs, then divide by the number of people you expect. That's your break-even point. Price above it, and let add-ons like extra cards and snacks drive your profit. For example, 100 players at $10 each brings in $1,000 at the door. If you sell another $300 in snacks and $200 in extra cards, and your costs are $250, you'd raise $1,250 for your group.
In addition to charging for entry or charging per game, consider these add-ons:
Start by approaching local businesses and community members to ask if they'd donate prizes. In return, thank them publicly at the event, on your social media, or in your newsletter.
Prize ideas that tend to be crowd-pleasers:
Tip: save your best prize for the last game of the night. It keeps players in their seats, buying cards and snacks, right to the end.
On the big day, a little organization goes a long way.
With a clear goal, the right supplies, smart pricing, and a few great prizes, you'll be well on your way to a successful bingo night fundraiser.
To make your earnings go even further, buy your gift card prizes through FlipGive to earn cash back for your team, cause, or school. Your prize budget does double duty, rewarding your winners while adding to your fundraising total.
Curious what your household could earn? Try our free Earning Potential Calculator to find out—and imagine the impact when everyone in your program gets involved.