Fundraiser raffle tickets are one of the more unusual, but very effective fundraising ideas for nonprofit organizations. The idea is simple: your organization gets some gifts donated and then gives them away to participants who purchase raffle tickets for a small amount of money. Usually, there are five to ten prizes available with one being the grand prize. The more tickets sold, the higher a person’s chances of winning. Some nonprofits have a large committee go out and solicit the prizes from local businesses, while others work with the people that already support their organization to sell tickets.
The most important thing is to choose the right prizes. Nonprofits need to determine the type of items that will appeal to their audience and be reflective of the level of donation they’re requesting. It’s also helpful to have the prize list ready before you start selling tickets, so participants can see what they’re contributing to.
Prizes can include anything from cash to a variety of goods and services. Some examples are gift cards, vacations, electronics, and home furnishings. You might even want to offer a car or motorcycle, but this is only recommended for very large fundraisers with a significant budget and audience that can justify the prize offering.
A very popular prize is a meal at a restaurant. This is especially attractive for couples or families with children. Memberships to a museum or other fun activities are another option for family-friendly events. Sports teams and musicians often provide signed memorabilia, and this can be very appealing for a group of people who share an interest.
When it comes to purchasing tickets, many donors like to buy in advance. This way, they can take advantage of special discounts and don’t have to worry about remembering their ticket number at the event. You can give your supporters the option to purchase tickets online or in-person, so they can pick the method that works best for them.
To increase sales, have a small committee recruit family members, friends, and volunteers to help with ticket sales. The committee should be assigned a certain number of tickets to sell and set goals each week to keep them motivated. This can be done through social media, email newsletters, and personalized letters to your existing donor base. The most important thing is to make it clear how tickets can be purchased and where the proceeds from the sale will be going. Print all of this on the ticket stub so that it’s easy for your participants to know what they’re buying into. Also, it’s important to print that a list of winners will be made available upon request to ensure that the donated items are actually awarded. Nonprofits should be careful not to skimp on printing costs, as this can backfire and discourage ticket purchases. Also, make sure the tickets are numbered and perforated to facilitate their distribution. This is another area where it’s worth paying a little extra to avoid headaches later.
