Planning a Fundraiser Raffle
When planning a fundraiser raffle, ticket prices play a huge role. Nonprofits should consider their current donor and supporter base when determining the price of tickets.

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Start selling tickets at least two months before the drawing date. Set weekly goals for your team and ramp up social media and email blasts to promote the event and create urgency.

Rules
The rules for your nonprofit’s raffle should be clearly stated before the ticket sales begin. This will help you set goals and stay on track throughout the process. Typically, tickets will be available for purchase for two months prior to the drawing date. During this time, your team should meet regularly and set weekly goals for their ticket sales. You should also establish how you will handle ticket entry and prize draw logistics.

Once all of the tickets are sold, they should be placed in a box, jar or bucket for drawing. During the drawing, announce the winner’s name to the audience. Many people will buy more tickets if they think their number may be called. This will keep the excitement going until the end of the raffle.

Ask your board members, volunteers and local business partners to promote the raffle. They can distribute posters and flyers at work or place donation boxes in their establishments. You can also encourage participants to share your raffle on social media.

Prizes
The prizes you offer in your raffle contest are the key to attracting supporters and increasing your chances of winning. Prizes should be relevant to your nonprofit’s mission and appeal to the demographics of your audience. For example, if your organization is a school, a laptop might be a good choice, while tickets to the museum or a reusable tote bag are ideal for an environmental advocacy organization.

Prizes should also align with your budget, donor base and fundraising goals. Tiered pricing, which offers different price points for tickets based on their perceived value or chance of winning, can help you raise more money. VIP or exclusive packages also make excellent prizes and can justify higher ticket prices.

Enlist volunteers from your committee and board to sell tickets, and set weekly sales goals. Be sure to schedule frequent social media posts, including a fundraising thermometer that ramps up as the event draws closer, to create urgency and excitement.

Permits
In order to host a raffle in New York, your nonprofit must register with the state. The process includes submitting a disclosure statement, applying for a Games of Chance ID number, and paying a $25 annual license fee. It is also important to keep clear records of all money spent, and how many tickets have been sold.

You can host a non-restricted raffle, which is open to the general public, or a restricted raffle. A restricted raffle is only allowed to be conducted if it is held during the course of an event, such as a fete or party. You may also hold a raffle where tickets are only sold to customers of a business.

The organiser of the raffle must submit an annual report showing how much was raised, and how much was spent on prizes and expenses. Keeping clear records will help you avoid any legal issues in the future. The organiser must also ensure that any proceeds are used for charitable purposes, and not for personal gain.

Advertising
When it comes to marketing your raffle, leveraging influencers and communities can make all the difference. This type of promotion helps you reach a wide audience while saving on the cost of paid advertising.

Determine monetary goals for your raffle and consider all associated costs when setting ticket prices. This will help you determine how many tickets to sell and achieve your fundraising goals.

Obtain unique prize items to promote your event and increase ticket sales. Examples of these include a shopping spree with a local boutique or a personal styling session. You can also ask businesses for donations of items or services that reflect your organization’s mission.

Schedule social media posts that highlight the prize packages and encourage your followers to purchase raffle tickets. As the drawing date approaches, ramp up post frequency to create a sense of urgency. Invest in Facebook and Instagram ads to expand your reach beyond your current audience (if budget permits). Distribute a digital newsletter to inform customers of the competition’s status.