Raffles can be a fun and effective way to raise money for nonprofit organizations. They’re also a great opportunity to introduce your organization to potential donors.

Gather a small committee to help you plan your raffle. Reach out to local merchants to ask them to donate prizes. Promote the raffle through your social networks and in-person events.

Decide on the Prizes

Raffles are popular fundraising methods for nonprofits because they raise money and can also be a way to get the word out about your organization. However, if you want to make this event a success, you will need some quality prizes to offer your supporters.

A raffle prize can range from a small gift, like a jar of jam or a coffee mug, to something large, such as a car or an expensive vacation. If you can, try to find items that fit with your mission. This will help you draw in more ticket buyers and can make your event seem more exciting to those attending.

Some organizations go out and solicit the gifts, but it is best to have a small committee take care of this task. This small committee will make contact with merchants and other potential contributors, stressing the amount of publicity that will be generated for their business, how many people will see the tickets and how much you appreciate their donation.

Set Up a Timeline

Whether your event is in-person or virtual, set a timeline for ticket sales. You should be able to sell tickets for at least two months before the raffle winners are announced, as this will give your supporters plenty of time to purchase and spread the word about your cause.

Choose unique prizes that will attract donors and make your fundraising stand out. For example, if you're hosting a fashion-themed event, partner with a local boutique to offer a shopping spree and personal styling session. Alternatively, offer home services like professional cleaning or organization.

Reach out to vendors, local businesses and major donors to ask if they can contribute an item for your raffle. Ensure that the total retail value of the prize exceeds your costs to obtain it. If it doesn't, your organization will likely lose money. Also, ensure that your team knows how many tickets they must sell by a certain date. Establishing a deadline keeps everyone on track and gives them an incentive to push for more ticket sales.

Get the Tickets Ready

It’s easy to let the momentum of your promotion carry you through to the raffle itself, but don’t get lazy. Work to achieve the ticket sales goals you set in step 2.

Order or print a sheet of tickets with the essential information for each entry, including your organization’s name, the date and time of the raffle drawing, and a random number for each entry. Consider having the tickets perforated so that they can be easily separated.

Assemble a team of people to sell tickets at your event. Make sure they have a cash box to keep their money in and a visible receptacle for collecting ticket stubs and donations. Keep in touch with the ticket sellers throughout the process, reminding them of the deadline by which they need to turn in their tickets and praising those who have sold a lot so far. This is critical to making the raffle successful.

Sell the Tickets

A successful raffle requires a lot of work. It's important to start early, promote the event on social media, and use influencers to spread the word. This will help you to increase ticket sales and attract more attendees to your event.

You'll also want to promote the event on local radio, TV, and newspaper outlets. Advertise the prizes, and be sure to mention that all proceeds will benefit a specific cause. This will make the event feel more inclusive, and encourage attendees to contribute.

Assemble a team of people to sell tickets at the event. Ideally, they will be members of your organization and/or community, but you can also ask for volunteers from the public at large, such as employees in shopping centers or big box stores, to participate. Make sure the ticket stubs are numbered so it's easy to keep track of who sold each one. This is especially important if you are offering a prize to the person who sells the most tickets.