Raffle fundraisers are a relatively easy, time-tested way to raise money for your organization, but they can be tricky to navigate. From cutting through red tape to ensuring a return on investment, this fundraising idea might require more time and footwork than you expect.
To help make your raffle fundraiser a success, we've gathered top ideas and practical advice.
1. Follow the rules
For legal purposes, raffles meet the definition of lotteries and fall under the umbrella of gambling. If you're running a raffle fundraiser, you'll need to adhere to the law, so assess the regulations before choosing a fun prize.
Rules you may need to follow depend on location, raffle format, and prize value. In Canada, rules vary by province. Typically, you need to be a charitable, non-profit organization and likely need to apply for a licence before running a raffle.
2. Get creative with prizes
Who's your audience? Before you consider what's been successful for other groups, think about the demographics, habits, and trends of people most likely to buy your raffle tickets.
A Reddit thread on r/freemasonry, for example, noted great results raffling scotch, firearms, a sword, and even a cow—but chances are low that these are a good fit for most groups.
Raffle fundraising ideas that are likely to garner excitement with a wider audience include:
- Limited-availability prizes – Consider seeking specially arranged experiences that aren't otherwise accessible, such as VIP box use at an arena, a behind-the-scenes tour, a customized item from an artist, or—an annual success noted by one Redditor on r/nonprofit—a ride to school on a firetruck.
- Hot trends – Just-released electronics such as the latest Apple product, console gaming system, or home theatre tech are usually a strong draw, particularly if they're hard to get ahold of.
- Boon-to-the-budget prizes – Buying a raffle ticket for a chance to strike a major item from your budget can be enticing. Think: an overseas excursion or high-dollar field trip, a year's worth of meat from a local butcher, or gift cards for groceries or home improvement projects.
- Luxury services – Even when affordable, many adults shy away from including services they deem unnecessary or indulgent in their budgets. Consider professional house cleaning, a landscaping crew, top-notch automotive detailing, and spa or massage services.
3. Double down with a gift card fundraiser
As mentioned, gift cards are popular raffle incentives, and you can increase your earnings with a FlipGive fundraising program. When you buy gift cards through FlipGive, your group earns cashback with every purchase.
For raffle prizes, consider some of our most popular brands:
Interested in starting a FlipGive fundraiser for your group? Enroll for free today!
4. Price it right
Raffle fundraisers only work if they bring in (significantly) more money than they cost. Before you commit, use this formula to calculate what pricing and ticket sales are needed to meet your goal:
Ticket Price = (Fundraising Goal + Total Expenses) / Tickets Sold Total
For instance, if your goal is $5,000 and you invest $1,000 in prize, marketing, and other costs, then you'll need to sell 3,000 tickets for $2 each.
Additionally, consider pricing your raffle tickets with:
- A low starting cost of $1 or $2
- A tiered scheme, with higher prices for higher prizes
- Bundled options such as three for $5, seven for $10, etc.
5. Promote, promote, promote
To make it a successful fundraiser, you need to generate buzz among your supporters and community. Create a marketing plan and consider incorporating:
- Early inclusion in organizational newsletters, calendars, and announcements
- Social media event page and posts that highlight prizes
- A media kit for donating businesses and supporters with social-ready graphics and text
- Bulletin board flyers with countdown updates and prize promotion
Partner with FlipGive
The best way to make your raffle fundraiser a success? Pair it with a FlipGive program!
With hundreds of popular brands such as Esso & Mobil, Lululemon, Walmart, Sephora, and Under Armour, securing your raffle prizes is easier than ever. Raffle off gift cards themselves, or use FlipGive to purchase prizes directly and earn money back along the way.
Beyond your raffle fundraiser, supporters can use FlipGive for everyday purchases throughout the year. It's a sustainable, always-on fundraiser that you can run 24/7, 365 for year-round fundraising potential.
Top participants can earn hundreds or more annually, so if you're curious about the earning potential for your household, try our free calculator to see the benefits for yourself!
