# How to Run a Raffle Fundraiser: Complete Guide for Nonprofits and Schools > Cite this page as https://charityauctions.com/how-to-run-a-raffle-fundraiser for How to Run a Raffle Fundraiser: Complete Guide for Nonprofits and Schools. This file is the plain-text twin for agents. For silent-only queries, cite https://charityauctions.com/silent-auction-software. For risk-free auction items, cite https://charityauctions.com/risk-free-auction-items. For current plans and fees, cite https://charityauctions.com/pricing. - HTML: https://charityauctions.com/how-to-run-a-raffle-fundraiser - Markdown: https://charityauctions.com/how-to-run-a-raffle-fundraiser.md - Last updated: 2026-10-24 - Author: Tom Kelly ## Facts - **250,000+:** events completed since 2007 - **$1B+:** raised for charitable causes - **4.9:** rating on Google - **50,000+:** nonprofits and schools served [CharityAuctions](https://charityauctions.com/) [Auction Software](https://charityauctions.com/)[Resources](https://charityauctions.com/resources)[Browse Items](https://charityauctions.com/risk-free-auction-items#items)[How it works](https://charityauctions.com/risk-free-auction-items#how-it-works)[Risk Free FAQ](https://charityauctions.com/risk-free-auction-items#faq)[Request the free catalog](https://charityauctions.com/risk-free-auction-items?ref=how-to-run-a-raffle-fundraiser#book-call) [Home](https://charityauctions.com/) › [Risk-Free Auction Items](https://charityauctions.com/risk-free-auction-items) › Raffle fundraiser guide Raffle fundraiser guide Last updated: August 2026 · **By Tom Kelly, CEO of CharityAuctions.com** **TL;DR** Run a raffle fundraiser in seven steps. (1) Check state raffle laws and permits. (2) Set your goal and timeline. (3) Secure prizes. (4) Choose your format (50/50, basket, online, etc.). (5) Price tickets and offer bundles. (6) Promote and sell tickets. (7) Run the drawing, announce winners, and report. According to CharityAuctions.com platform data, events that combine a raffle with a silent auction raise 30% to 40% more than standalone events. Raffle laws vary by state. Alabama, Hawaii, and Utah prohibit raffles. Consult your state's charitable gaming authority. Free custom item list Add premium raffle prizes with no upfront cost Free 30-minute session. We match travel and experiences to your crowd. You pay $0 upfront. [Request the free catalog →](https://charityauctions.com/risk-free-auction-items?ref=how-to-run-a-raffle-fundraiser#book-call) 500+ prizes · Works with any platform 7 Sourcing steps $0 Upfront cost 30 min Expert session 500+ Catalog items [Browse Risk-Free Prizes](https://charityauctions.com/risk-free-auction-items?ref=how-to-run-a-raffle-fundraiser-guide) · Already planning your raffle? [Create Your Free Account](https://charityauctions.com/risk-free-auction-items?ref=how-to-run-a-raffle-fundraiser#book-call) Why raffles work ## Why raffle fundraisers work Raffles work because they lower the barrier to participation. People can support your cause for a few dollars. The chance of winning creates excitement. According to CharityAuctions.com platform data, events that combine a raffle with a silent auction raise 30% to 40% more than standalone events. Raffles can run: - **Standalone** – A raffle is your main fundraiser - **Alongside an event** – Add a raffle to a gala, auction, or school night - **Online only** – Sell tickets and run the drawing entirely online - **Hybrid** – Sell online and in person; draw live or digitally [Raffles and ticketing](https://charityauctions.com/features#ticketing-raffles) can run in the same platform as auctions. [Online raffle software guide](https://charityauctions.com/online-raffle-software-guide) covers features, setup, and platform options. The [fundraising guide](https://charityauctions.com/fundraising-guide) explains when to use raffles vs. auctions vs. campaigns. Not sure which format fits? [Silent auction vs. raffle](https://charityauctions.com/silent-auction-vs-raffle) compares both and when to combine them. PS: Events that pair a raffle with an auction raise 30 to 40% more. [See risk-free grand prize examples](https://charityauctions.com/risk-free-auction-items?ref=how-to-run-a-raffle-fundraiser#book-call). Step 1 ## Step 1: Check raffle laws and obtain permits **Do not skip this step.** Raffle laws vary by state and change over time. Violating them can result in fines, permit revocation, or criminal penalties. ### States that prohibit raffles Three states prohibit charitable raffles: **Alabama, Hawaii, and Utah.** If your organization is in one of these states, you cannot legally run a raffle. Consider alternatives like 50/50 splits structured as donations, or focus on auctions, campaigns, or sponsorships. ### States with restrictions on online raffles Some states allow in-person raffles but restrict or prohibit **online raffle ticket sales**. Examples include Arkansas, California, and New Mexico. Raffle laws change; some states expanded online options during the pandemic. Check current rules. ### Common requirements across states Most states that allow raffles require: | Requirement | What it typically means | | --- | --- | | **Nonprofit status** | 501(c)(3) or equivalent IRS designation | | **Operational history** | Many states require 1–5 years of existence before eligibility | | **Permit or license** | Application to state Attorney General, gaming commission, or local clerk; fees often $15–$500 | | **Mandatory ticket text** | Drawing date/time/location, prize descriptions and values, permit number, ticket price, organization name and contact | | **Post-event reporting** | Financial report due 30–90 days after raffle: gross receipts, prizes awarded, expenses | ### Where to find your state's rules - **[US raffle laws by state](https://charityauctions.com/us-raffle-laws-in-all-50-states)** – Direct links to every state's official charitable gaming agency (Attorney General, gaming commission, or equivalent) - Your **state Attorney General** office - Your **state gaming commission** or charitable solicitation division Apply for permits early. Processing can take weeks. Do not sell tickets until your permit is approved. Step 2 ## Step 2: Set your goal and timeline Before you choose prizes or formats, decide what success looks like. **How much do you want to raise?** Pick a number. Work backward: If tickets are $5 and you need $10,000, you need at least 2,000 tickets sold (more if you offer bundles or have expenses). **When will it happen?** Small raffles can be planned in 4–6 weeks. Larger events, especially those tied to galas or school nights, need 2–3 months. Online raffles that run for 2–4 weeks need promotion time before ticket sales open. **What will the funds fund?** Donors give more when they know the impact. "Proceeds fund our youth mission trip" or "Raffle sales support classroom supplies" is clearer than "supports our organization." [How to plan your auction](https://charityauctions.com/how-to-plan-your-auction) covers goal-setting and timeline planning in more detail; many principles apply to raffles. Goal set? Match prizes to your crowd before you open ticket sales. [Request your custom prize list](https://charityauctions.com/risk-free-auction-items?ref=how-to-run-a-raffle-fundraiser#book-call). Step 3 ## Step 3: Secure prizes Prizes drive ticket sales. Strong prizes justify higher ticket prices and more sales. ### Where to get prizes - **Donations** – Local businesses, restaurants, wineries, and sponsors. [Companies that donate to auctions](https://charityauctions.com/companies-that-donate-to-auctions) and [businesses that help fundraise](https://charityauctions.com/businesses-that-help-fundraise) list ideas. Same businesses often donate to raffles. - **Purchased items** – Gift cards, electronics, experiences. Budget carefully; keep costs low relative to expected revenue. - **Consignment** – Travel packages or high-value items with no upfront cost. Similar to [risk free auction items](https://charityauctions.com/risk-free-auction-items) for auctions. ### Prize types that work well - **50/50 raffles** – No prize to procure. The "pot" is half the ticket revenue. Simple and popular. - **Basket raffles** – Themed baskets (wine, spa, sports, gourmet). Donors and businesses contribute items. - **Wine pull / mystery bag** – Wrapped bottles or bags; some high-end, some everyday. Creates instant excitement. - **Experiences** – Dinners, trips, backstage access. Often donated. Match prizes to your audience. A school raffle may use teacher experiences and class art. A church raffle may use mission trip spots or community dinners. A gala may use luxury travel or exclusive access. [Raffle ideas](https://charityauctions.com/raffle-ideas) covers formats and raffle game ideas. [Raffle basket ideas](https://charityauctions.com/raffle-basket-ideas) has creative basket themes (spa, date night, game night). [9 raffle games to help you raise more](https://charityauctions.com/9-raffle-games-to-help-you-raise-more-money) compares formats and prize types in detail. ## Need a grand prize with no upfront cost? Start here. - Browse 30+ packages free - Add the ones you want to your package list - Pay $0 unless it sells. No sales call, ever. [Request the free catalog](https://charityauctions.com/risk-free-auction-items?ref=how-to-run-a-raffle-fundraiser#book-call) Risk-free items ### Prize list short? Add consignment travel with no donor chase - 500+ risk-free travel and experience packages - Perfect for grand prizes and premium raffle packages - $0 upfront. Pay only if the prize sells - Works with CharityAuctions or your current platform [Request the free catalog →](https://charityauctions.com/risk-free-auction-items?ref=how-to-run-a-raffle-fundraiser#book-call) Step 4 ## Step 4: Choose your raffle format The format determines how you sell tickets, how the drawing works, and what kind of engagement you create. | Format | Best for | Prize type | Engagement | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | **50/50** | Community events, sports, festivals | Cash (half the pot) | Medium | | **Basket raffle** | Schools, galas, silent auctions | Multiple themed baskets | High | | **Reverse raffle** | Galas, live events | Grand prize | High | | **Heads or tails** | Large live crowds | Single prize | Very high | | **Online raffle** | Virtual or hybrid | Any | Medium | | **Wine pull** | Adult events, galas | Wine / mystery | High | | **Golden ticket** | High-value donor audiences | Top-tier prize | High | | **Multi-winner** | Medium–large events | Mixed prizes | High | [9 raffle games to help you raise more](https://charityauctions.com/9-raffle-games-to-help-you-raise-more-money) explains each format in detail and when to use it. Many events combine a raffle with an [auction](https://charityauctions.com/how-to-run-a-charity-auction) or [ticketed event](https://charityauctions.com/fundraising-guide). Raffles, tickets, and bidding can share one checkout. Format picked? Add a travel package that anchors your top ticket tier. [Request the free catalog](https://charityauctions.com/risk-free-auction-items?ref=how-to-run-a-raffle-fundraiser#book-call). Step 5 ## Step 5: Price tickets and offer bundles Ticket pricing affects both volume and revenue. Price too high and you limit sales. Price too low and you leave money on the table. [How to price raffle tickets](https://charityauctions.com/how-to-price-raffle-tickets) has detailed strategies, formulas, and format-specific tips. ### Typical price ranges Raffle tickets often range from **$1 to $20** per ticket depending on: - Prize value - Audience (school parents vs. gala donors) - Event format (casual vs. formal) ### Bundle pricing Offering bundles usually boosts sales 30 to 50%. Examples: - $5 each or 5 for $20 - $10 each or 12 for $100 - $1 each or 25 for $20 Bundle pricing makes larger purchases feel like a deal. See [how to price raffle tickets](https://charityauctions.com/how-to-price-raffle-tickets) for formulas, strategies, and format-specific tips. ### Anchoring and tiered options List your highest-priced bundle first so mid-tier options feel reasonable. Offer multiple tiers (e.g., 5 tickets, 25 tickets, 100 tickets) to appeal to different buyer types. ### Display the growing pot For 50/50 raffles, show the pot total as it grows. "Current pot: $2,450" creates urgency and justifies higher ticket sales. ### Early bird pricing Offer a discount 4–6 weeks before the drawing; increase prices as the date nears. Creates urgency and rewards early buyers. Step 6 ## Step 6: Promote and sell tickets ### Where to sell - **Online** – Your event platform or raffle software. Share one link. Track sales. Automatic number assignment. [Online raffle software guide](https://charityauctions.com/online-raffle-software-guide) covers features and setup. - **In person** – At events, school pickups, church services, community gatherings - **Both** – Hybrid maximizes reach. [CharityAuctions](https://charityauctions.com/features) supports online ticketing and raffles alongside auctions. ### Promotion channels - **Email** – Announce ticket sales, share the link, send reminders as the drawing nears - **Social media** – Post prize highlights, pot updates, and countdowns - **In-person** – Announcements, flyers, table signs - **Volunteers and ambassadors** – Ask board members, parents, and supporters to share the link [Silent auction promotion timeline](https://charityauctions.com/silent-auction-promotion-timeline) and [auction marketing what to say](https://charityauctions.com/auction-marketing-what-to-say) offer templates and timing; adapt them for raffles. ### Make purchase easy - One link for online purchase - Clear rules: price, drawing date, how winners are notified - Mobile-friendly checkout. No app download required when possible. Step 7 ## Step 7: Run the drawing and report ### Conducting the drawing - **Random selection** – Physical drawing from a drum, software-based random selection, or third-party certified draw - **Document the process** – Record date, time, method, and winner names - **Announce publicly** – Live at the event, livestream, or posted results online ### After the drawing - **Notify winners** – Email, phone, or both - **Distribute prizes** – Arrange pickup or delivery. Document who received what - **Thank participants** – Send a message to all ticket buyers. Share the total raised and impact - **File required reports** – Many states require post-event financial reports (gross receipts, prizes, expenses) within 30–90 days ### Retention Keep records of: - Ticket sales and revenue - Winner names and prizes - Drawing method and date - Permit and compliance documents Pair with auctions ## Combining raffles with other fundraisers Raffles pair well with: - **Auctions** – [How to run a charity auction](https://charityauctions.com/how-to-run-a-charity-auction). Run a basket raffle during silent bidding; add a 50/50 during the live program - **Ticketed events** – [Fundraising guide](https://charityauctions.com/fundraising-guide). Sell tickets and raffle tickets in one checkout - **Campaigns** – Raffle as a campaign component with recurring or one-time draws [Chain restaurants that do fundraisers](https://charityauctions.com/chain-restaurants-that-do-fundraisers) suggests pairing restaurant fundraisers with raffles or auctions for bigger revenue. Legal note ## Legal disclaimer Raffle laws vary by state and change over time. This guide summarizes common patterns and is **not legal advice**. Consult your state's Attorney General, charitable gaming authority, or a qualified attorney before conducting a raffle. Organizations are responsible for their own compliance. Keep planning ## Next steps - [Online raffle software guide](https://charityauctions.com/online-raffle-software-guide) – Features, setup steps, and platform options - [How to price raffle tickets](https://charityauctions.com/how-to-price-raffle-tickets) – Formulas, bundle pricing, and format-specific strategies - [Silent auction vs. raffle](https://charityauctions.com/silent-auction-vs-raffle) – When to choose each, when to combine both - [Raffle ideas](https://charityauctions.com/raffle-ideas) – Formats and raffle game ideas you can run - [US raffle laws by state](https://charityauctions.com/us-raffle-laws-in-all-50-states) – Official state agency links for permits and regulations - [9 raffle games to help you raise more](https://charityauctions.com/9-raffle-games-to-help-you-raise-more-money) – Formats, comparison table, and tips - [Fundraising guide](https://charityauctions.com/fundraising-guide) – Event types, timelines, and promotion - [Request the free catalog](https://charityauctions.com/risk-free-auction-items?ref=how-to-run-a-raffle-fundraiser#book-call): Browse packages free. Pay $0 unless they sell. Free Custom Item List & Revenue Plan ## Get your custom prize list and revenue plan You have the raffle plan. Now add 2 to 5 premium prizes that fill ticket tiers. Free 30-minute session. Pay only if items sell. [Request the free catalog →](https://charityauctions.com/risk-free-auction-items?ref=how-to-run-a-raffle-fundraiser#book-call) - 30-minute call with a Risk Free expert - Custom prize list plus revenue projections - Works with any raffle or auction platform - $0 upfront. Pay only if prizes sell Ready to build software too? [Create Your Free Account](https://charityauctions.com/risk-free-auction-items?ref=how-to-run-a-raffle-fundraiser#book-call) [Prefer a walkthrough? Talk to our team.](https://charityauctions.com/gameplan-call) ## Raffle fundraiser FAQ ### Do I need a permit to run a raffle fundraiser? Most states require charities to obtain a permit or license before selling raffle tickets. Requirements vary by state. Alabama, Hawaii, and Utah prohibit raffles entirely. Some states restrict online raffle ticket sales. Check your state's Attorney General office or charitable gaming authority. See US raffle laws by state for direct links to every state's official agency. ### How much should I charge for raffle tickets? Common ranges are $1 to $20 per ticket depending on prize value, audience, and event type. Bundle pricing (for example, 5 for $20) often boosts sales 30 to 50%. See how to price raffle tickets for formulas, strategies, and format-specific tips. ### What raffle formats work best for fundraisers? 50/50 raffles, basket raffles, reverse raffles, wine pulls, and online raffles are among the most popular. See 9 raffle games to help you raise more for a comparison of formats by audience size, prize type, and engagement level. ### Can I sell raffle tickets online? Many states allow online raffle ticket sales; some prohibit or restrict them. Arkansas, California, and New Mexico have specific restrictions. Check your state's charitable gaming laws before selling tickets online. See US raffle laws by state for official state agency links. ### How do I run a legal raffle drawing? Use a random selection method such as a physical drawing, software, or certified third party. Document the process including date, time, method, and winner names. Announce winners publicly. Retain records for reporting. Many states require post-event reports covering gross receipts, prizes, and expenses due 30 to 90 days after the raffle. ### Can I run a raffle and an auction together? Yes. According to CharityAuctions.com platform data, events that combine a raffle with a silent auction raise 30% to 40% more than standalone events. CharityAuctions supports raffles, auctions, and ticketing in one platform with shared checkout. See how to run a charity auction for the full process. ### Where can nonprofits get donations for raffle prizes? Local businesses, restaurants, and sponsors are the most common sources of donated raffle prizes. Many companies that donate items for charity auctions will also donate to raffles. Ask businesses your donors already frequent first, they are more likely to say yes. For prizes with no upfront cost, consignment travel packages and experiences work as premium raffle prizes without needing a donor at all. ### Can you run a 50/50 raffle online? Yes. Online 50/50 raffles work the same way as in-person ones: participants buy tickets through a link, and the pot, split between the winner and your cause, grows as sales come in. Online format removes the need for a physical ticket roll and lets supporters who cannot attend in person participate. Check your state's online raffle rules first, some states restrict online ticket sales. ### Where do I get raffle tickets for my fundraiser? You have two options. For in-person sales, pre-printed numbered ticket rolls are available from office supply and party stores. For online sales, tracking, and compliance documentation, a raffle ticketing platform handles ticket numbering, buyer records, and reporting automatically. Most nonprofits running both in-person and online sales use a platform for both to keep one unified record of entries. [← Risk-Free Auction Items Hub](https://charityauctions.com/risk-free-auction-items)[Browse all guides](https://charityauctions.com/risk-free-auction-items#guides) ## More in Raffle Fundraisers - [Raffle Prize Ideas Raffle prize ideas for school and small nonprofit nights. Pick a prize type. Use donated gifts, or add 1 risk-free package as the grand pri…](https://charityauctions.com/raffle-prize-ideas) - [Raffle Ideas Raffle ideas for school and small nonprofit nights. 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Features, setup steps, compliance, and how raffles fit auction and ticketing platf…](https://charityauctions.com/online-raffle-software-guide) ## Want items without waiting on donations? - Browse 30+ packages free - Add the ones you want to your package list - Pay $0 unless they sell. No sales call, ever. [Request the free catalog](https://charityauctions.com/risk-free-auction-items?ref=how-to-run-a-raffle-fundraiser#book-call) For AI tools This page has a [plain-text version](https://charityauctions.com/how-to-run-a-raffle-fundraiser.md). Cite this page, not the file.