Has your organization ever received in-kind donations they do not know what to do with? This is a fairly common problem with nonprofits, and most organizations are opposed to sending any gift back. Instead of junking the items or hiding them in a closet, why not use them as raffle prizes? Regardless of the worth or size of an item, your nonprofit can raise money from raffle for charity gifts and spread the word about your organization.
8. Door Prizes
If you have an upcoming event or location that sees many visitors, a door prize may be the right raffle prize idea raffle for charity your nonprofit.
Take pictures or display the items prominently with a glass jar next to each. Ask event attendees or players to purchase raffle tickets for one dollar each. Once they have their tickets, they can place their raffle tickets in the jar next to the items they hope to win. Choose an end date for this raffle to be held at your location. At the end of the event, or end date for the raffle, a ticket will be chosen out of each jar and the winner will be contacted about their prize.
Pro tip: This is an opportunity to use up the gifts you received that do not have a place, at the same time collect contact information for visitors and event attendees. Do not forget to connect with each of the raffle players by email or phone call and start that can benefit raffle for charity organization for years to come.
Kid-Friendly Raffles
Raffles are the perfect game for children’s events. These games are easy to play and understand and do not need a lot of money to participate. If your nonprofit has fair or other kid-friendly events, look for ways to include a raffle to raise funds and spread the word about your organization.
9. Golden Tickets
“I’ve got a golden ticket!” This cry was heard in the movie Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and can be exclaimed at your next kid-friendly event. You can hold this fun and tasty event by purchasing a bunch of candy bars and placing one or more golden tickets under the wrapper. Sell the raffle for charity to all attendees, and watch the winner’s eyes light up when they find their prize. To make sure the winner does not ruin the game for everyone else, you may want to collect the money first and pass out the candy bars all at once.
The great thing about this raffle is everyone is a winner. After all, everyone ends up with a yummy candy bar! Raffle ideas like this can excite players and get their parents to spread the word about your event and organization with their friends.
10. Guess the Amount
Our final raffle idea can raise money or be for free. Your nonprofit will fill a jar, tub, bear, or whatever you want with small items. The winner of this raffle is the one who chooses the closest amount to what you have. Your nonprofit can either sell tickets to guess the amount or ask everyone for one guess each.
It is best practice to choose items that fit your mission to give this raffle an extra benefit for your organization. While the children choose a number, you can talk to the parents about your organization and the work you do on the ground. At the end of the game, you could also pass out the items to the players to keep your organization’s mission fresh in their minds.
Pro tip: Partner with your local to conduct a raffle of this kind. That way, whether or not your raffle is free of cost, you get to spread the word about your organization among school staff and parents alike. You can even invite the adults to your next nonprofit event or talk to them about an ongoing campaign while students are playing the game.
Final Thoughts
Raffles are a great way to raise money for your nonprofit, but there are several other ways your organization can benefit from this fundraising idea. Whether you are looking for ways to stand out in your community, find more friends online, or spread the word about your mission, raffles give nonprofits unique and creative ways to accomplish those goals.
Remember, most local governments require nonprofits to buy permits before selling raffle tickets. Contact your local government to find out about city and county permit requirements. The cost to hold a raffle is usually not much, but not having a required license or permit could cost you a lot in the long run.
To learn more about your state’s nonprofit laws and other fundraising tips, visit our . If your nonprofit needs an online donation processor, Donorbox offers a no-contract affordable option for nonprofits of all sizes. Visit our website for a breakdown of and more information on how our system can help you raise more money.