Whether you hold an in-person event or go digital with your fundraiser, recruit people you trust to sell tickets. They can be friends, family members or other volunteers.
Choose a ticket price with your audience and your current donors in mind. Make sure your printed tickets have a perforated stub where supporters can write their contact information.
Numbered Tickets
Numbered tickets are essential for any paid event, ensuring that all participants have been accounted for and paid. They can be printed on a range of paper stocks and finishes, and can include custom logos, graphics and event information. Some also feature perforations and sequential numbering for added security and convenience.
When planning a fundraising raffle, it’s important to set a goal for how much money you want to raise and determine what the maximum value of the prizes can be. This way, you can ensure that the prize levels are reasonable for your target audience and meet any legal requirements regarding ticket price vs. prize value.
One way to increase ticket sales is by asking local businesses to donate or sponsor the event. Some companies may offer products or services, such as a free massage or dinner at a restaurant, while others may provide promotional items or artwork. You can also ask local organizations to sell tickets on your behalf, such as Special Olympics Idaho, a non-profit organization that empowers individuals with intellectual disabilities through sports training and competition.
Prizes
A great prize attracts donors, so make sure your nonprofit has a prize that’s attractive to potential ticket buyers. Ideally, prizes should be linked to your mission or aligned with the season. If you’re raising money for a school, for example, prizes might include laptops or fancy pens. It’s also important that your prizes have a value of at least a few hundred dollars.
Asking local businesses to donate a prize is an excellent way to boost ticket sales and promote your organization at the same time. Enlisting your Board of Directors, committee members and volunteers to help sell tickets is a good idea as well.
Set a goal for your raffle and stick to it. Extending your deadline may affect ticket sales and the number of donors you reach. Pricing your raffle based on average gift size, your existing list of supporters and the number of people you can expect to reach will help ensure that your fundraiser is successful from the start.
Ticket Distribution
In addition to the organization contact information, you should include the raffle date and time on each ticket to inform participants when the winning tickets will be drawn. You should also make sure that each ticket has a unique number.
When selling tickets at your event, encourage ticket bundles by offering a discounted price for multiple tickets purchased together. This will motivate attendees to bring family and friends.
Ensure that your volunteers have all the materials they need to sell tickets: a secure cash box or bag, plenty of change and receptacles like jars and buckets for the ticket stubs. You should also have a pen or pencil so supporters can write their names on the ticket stubs.
To keep track of ticket sales, have a designated date by which all ticket stubs and donations need to be turned in. This will also allow you to contact anyone who did not purchase a ticket. This will help you reach your fundraising goal and exceed it.
Drawing
One of the most exciting parts of a raffle fundraiser is the drawing. This is where a nonprofit organization announces the winners of all tickets sold. It is a fun way to celebrate the event and thank volunteers for their hard work. The organization can also use the event to engage new donors.
Prizes can vary depending on what your organization has access to, but gift cards, items for the home and electronics are popular options. For a unique twist, try organizing a quarter auction, where participants first purchase raffle tickets and then can spend those tickets on different prizes that are set out around the room.
Make a list of potential contributors for each prize and assign a committee member to contact them. This process makes it easier for your committee to organize the event year after year.
