How To Organize a Successful Holiday Raffle Fundraiser with a Group

Do you need donations for your nonprofit or charitable organization? With the holidays in full swing, 'tis the season to run a holiday raffle fundraiser.

You won't just be raising much-needed funds. You'll be making many spirits bright.

• Every participant feels like a winner because they support a great cause — whether they take home the grand prize or not.
• Your organization gets the financial support it needs.
• You get to make a greater impact.

You could call that a win-win-win. But where do you start? How does a holiday raffle fundraiser work?

This blog post covers the basics, including important information regarding state laws. You'll also learn how Pool can help your team organize fundraiser finances and manage proceeds together. Finally, you'll get 12 Christmas raffle ideas to entice participants to buy many raffle tickets.

By the end of this article, you'll feel confident running a holiday raffle. And with all the funds you raise, you'll be able to carry on your mission and good work next year.

Contents:

• How do raffle fundraisers work?
• How do I sell raffle tickets for a fundraiser?
• 3 holiday raffle tips to sell more entry tickets
• 12 winning holiday raffle ideas
• Is it legal to run a holiday raffle fundraiser?
• How to use Pool to organize a holiday raffle fundraiser

How do raffle fundraisers work?

Raffles make fundraising fun and engaging for organizations and donors alike. With holiday raffles, you raise much-needed funds, and a lucky winner (or two) takes home a fantastic prize, like a turkey or ham. (Keep reading for more enticing prize ideas!)

Plus, raffles pair wonderfully with other fundraising efforts, like spaghetti dinners or baked good sales, to increase donations even more.

Raffles are simple. You choose a couple of tantalizing prizes. Then, participants purchase numbered tickets for a chance to win one. At a specified time, a ticket is drawn randomly, and the holder of the matching number wins. The funds you raise support your nonprofit organization.

Traditionally, raffles are in-person events, but you can also host an online raffle if it's permitted in your state.

How do I sell raffle tickets for a fundraiser?

Cash probably seems like the simplest way to sell raffle tickets, but Pool helps organizers manage fundraiser money more efficiently. Instead of collecting and storing cash, you can create a dedicated Pool for your raffle and invite organizers to join. Contributions stay organized in one place, making it easier to track funds, manage expenses, and keep raffle proceeds separate from personal accounts.

How to run a successful online raffle fundraiser

There are many advantages to running an online raffle fundraiser. For one thing, it helps keep overhead costs low.

It's also a great way to increase participation. Online fundraisers can reach more people than in-person events, and during the busy holiday season, supporters can participate without needing to attend a live event.

Wherever you decide to host your raffle online, use Pool to organize fundraiser finances and manage proceeds in one dedicated place. Invite fellow organizers to join the Pool so they can help track contributions, monitor expenses, and keep raffle funds separate from personal accounts.

Don't forget to check your state and local laws before conducting a raffle online or at a live event. Pool reserves the right to shut down a Pool if it violates our terms and conditions.

3 holiday raffle tips to sell more entry tickets

Now that you know how to organize your holiday raffle fundraiser with Pool, here are three savvy tips to increase participation, boost donations, and reach your fundraising goal.

1. Know the difference between entry and raffle tickets

Entries and tickets are different. One entry gives participants one chance to win a prize. For example, if one entry costs $10, a $10 raffle ticket is one chance to win, and a $50 raffle ticket gives you five chances to win. Some fundraiser organizers find that offering more entries per ticket positively impacts sales.

On the other hand, a ticket can be redeemed for raffle entries as well as food and beverages. Your organization might choose to organize different fundraiser activities with separate Pools. For example, one Pool could be used to manage raffle proceeds while another helps organizers track food and beverage expenses. Keeping funds organized in separate Pools can make budgeting and reporting much easier.

The great thing about Pool? You can create as many Pools as you need for your raffle.

2. Offer several big prizes

Raffles are fun, but people especially like to participate when they feel they can increase their chances of winning. Offer at least two raffle prizes — grand and first prizes. Or take it one step further and offer three: a grand prize, a first prize, and a second prize. Not only does this incentivize participants to purchase more entry tickets, but it also gives them more opportunities to win.

When curating raffle items, ensure they're significant enough that you can sell entry tickets for at least $5 each.

3. Ask people to donate prizes

What do you put in a Christmas raffle? The better the prizes, the greater the participation. Ask organization members, fundraiser volunteers, local retailers, and artists to donate raffle prizes. This way, you can keep your overhead costs down and show off local talent to your raffle attendees.

12 winning holiday raffle ideas

Here are some raffle prize ideas to entice participants and raise money for your organization this holiday season.

1. Ham, turkey, or tofurkey are delicious prizes to win and serve over the holidays.
2. Gift certificates appeal to just about everyone. Whether you offer one high-value gift card or curate a selection of enviable gift cards, this is a fantastic way to increase participation.
3. A Pool with a generous sum makes a great grand prize. The winner gets to spend their winnings however and wherever they want.
4. Smart home devices are popular raffle items because they can make everyday routines simpler, smarter, and more convenient.
5. Professional photography sessions aren't just for engagements and weddings. One lucky winner can have an updated family portrait, pet portrait, or whatever they'd like to capture with the help of a local photographer.
6. Autographed sports memorabilia are fantastic prizes if you expect a lot of avid sports fans at your raffle.
7. Mouthwatering baked goods from a popular nearby bakery make a tantalizing prize and something anyone would be happy to take home.
8. Gym membership or personal trainer sessions can help the winner make more significant headway with their health and fitness resolutions in the New Year.
9. Cooking classes are a fun way to learn from seasoned chefs and bring home insider tips, insights, and fresh inspiration for future menus.
10. Flatscreen TVs take Monday Night Football, movie nights, and workouts to the next level. Consider this as a top prize.
11. Escape Room gift cards are perfect for participants who like to solve puzzles under pressure. Offer them as a prize to enjoy with friends, family, or both.
12. Flower subscription services make the lucky winner feel like a florist with regular bouquets of fresh flowers delivered to their door.

Holiday raffle fundraisers are a fun way to bring people together and raise much-needed funds for nonprofit or charitable organizations.

Is it legal to run a holiday raffle fundraiser?

Pool does not provide legal advice, but we want to give you a heads up about raffle fundraisers and state laws. Federal regulations allow 501(c)(3) nonprofits to run raffles as long as profits go directly to the legally registered nonprofit or charitable organization.

But each state has different gaming and lottery regulations, varying by city and county. For example, California does not allow fundraising raffles — even for registered nonprofits. In some states, online raffles are prohibited.

In some states, any income generated by the raffle may be considered taxable, and others may require you to keep the proceeds in a separate bank account. Before planning your fundraiser, research your state's laws and consult your attorney general's office or local regulatory agency so you can fundraise without any trouble.

How to use Pool to organize a holiday raffle fundraiser

You checked your state laws and can legally run a holiday raffle fundraiser. Hooray! Now, let's look at how Pool can help your organizing team manage fundraiser finances.

What is Pool?

Pool is a shared money management platform that helps groups organize, and spend money together. Instead of relying on cash boxes, spreadsheets, or personal bank accounts, your raffle committee can manage fundraiser funds in one dedicated place.

Sign up at Poolmoney.com, create a Pool, and invite fellow organizers to join. Once they sign up and accept your invitation, they can help manage the Pool alongside you.

Depending on the permissions you assign, members can:

• View Pool activity and balances
• Spend Pool funds with the Pool debit card
• Help manage fundraiser finances
• Participate in budgeting and oversight

Pool makes it easy for organizing committees to collaborate before, during, and after the fundraiser. Whether you're covering event expenses, tracking proceeds, or preparing funds for your organization, Pool keeps everything organized in one place.

Best of all, you can have your Pool up and running in just a few minutes—perfect for the busy holiday fundraising season.