A raffle is a popular way for nonprofit organizations to raise money and attract new donors. In addition to the money raised by ticket sales, raffles often bring in additional gifts from local businesses and individuals. They are easy to run and can be held in conjunction with other events like fundraisers, fairs, and carnivals. In order to host a successful raffle, it is important to plan well in advance. This includes creating a schedule of when and where you will sell tickets, deciding on the prizes, and choosing volunteers to help out during the event. It is also important to make sure that the prize is appealing enough to generate interest and attract buyers.


Depending on the type of event and the number of tickets to be sold, nonprofits may choose to use pre-printed tickets from a printing company or make them themselves. If a group decides to make the tickets themselves, it is important to keep in mind that they will cost more to produce than buying them pre-printed. Moreover, the time required to produce them can also take away from other fundraising efforts. Nonetheless, this option is a good choice for larger events that will require a substantial amount of tickets.

To make the tickets, it is recommended to use a template that is specifically designed for the event. It will save a lot of time and ensure that all the tickets look the same. The templates can be found online and a small fee can be paid for the download. The other option is to write the tickets by hand. However, this can be difficult unless it is done by one person so that the writing is consistent across all the tickets.

The biggest reason people buy a ticket is to win a prize. Nonprofits can promote this prize to potential participants by listing it on their website and social media platforms. They can also promote it in newspapers and radio ads. However, it is important to note that a prize doesn't necessarily have to be expensive in order to get the attention of potential donors. For example, a free year of gas is a prize that could be very appealing to the local community.

Once the raffle is over, it is important to count all the tickets sold and determine how much was collected in total. This will help the organization learn what works and what does not. It is also helpful to make a file of all the information related to the raffle, including a list of winners, merchants who donated items, and volunteer information. This will make the next year's raffle much easier to manage. It will also allow the nonprofit to build a relationship with all the community members who participated in the previous year's event. This can lead to long-term funding and increased connections with the local community. For example, a young girl may have been able to attend a soccer camp thanks to the raffle that raised funds for it.