Nonprofit groups, schools, businesses, and town churches use raffles to raise funds for a variety of purposes. Raffles are appealing because they can bring in a lot of money for little effort or cost. Generally, many more tickets are sold than there are prizes available, so the chances of winning are small. The prizes may be cash, goods such as sports team uniforms and electronics, or services such as house cleaning, window washing, or landscaping.
The organization solicits donated items to be used as the prizes, and then sells the raffle tickets. This can be done in person, through kids in school, or by sending out raffle tickets in the mail or at special fundraising events. The organization keeps some of the proceeds, and the winner takes home the prize.
Some states have laws that apply to raffles, requiring registration and reporting. Others make it illegal to sell tickets without a license or permit. Check your local and state regulations before starting a raffle, especially if you are raising money for a religious or charitable group.
If you are not a professional graphic artist, you should avoid attempting to design the tickets yourself and instead work with a printer who can print in full color. Don't scrimp on the printing costs, as the printed ticket stub needs to be numbered and perforated. Also, don't skimp on the quantity of tickets you order. It will be hard to keep track of them if you print too few, and volunteers will resent being asked to distribute only partial sets of tickets.
One way to attract buyers is to offer a bonus prize for the person who sells the most tickets. This incentive is particularly attractive to people who have large family and friend networks or are involved in community organizations. Offer a gift card, vacation getaway, or even a car for the top seller.
The numbered tickets make it easy to determine the winner. It is a good idea to have two copies of the tickets, so that one can be checked for the number, and the other can be returned to verify the name of the winner.
Consider using large, full-color raffle tickets for events where you want to stand out from the competition. These are also great for fundraising events, and they can help increase profits and ticket sales. To learn more about how to customize your tickets, visit our Raffle Ticket Guide and FAQ.
