Direct answer: pick the format that fits your night first: a basket raffle for schools, a 50/50 for sports nights, a single grand-prize draw for dinner crowds. Game ideas like a reverse raffle, wine pull, or heads or tails sit in the same list. Below are the formats that work, plus how to add a risk-free grand prize with $0 upfront.
$23,200
raised on 4 packages at one recent gala
$7,500
kept by the nonprofit, after package costs
$0
paid upfront, ever
Pick your format first. Then give people a reason to buy five tickets instead of one. These are the grand prizes chairs actually add, with $0 due unless the prize is awarded:
Wrigley Field Rooftop VIP for TwoNonprofit cost$499Retail value$1,500
Las Vegas VIP Weekend for TwoNonprofit cost$900Retail value$2,500
Broadway Night Out for TwoNonprofit cost$1,700Retail value$3,500
The Insider's New Orleans Food DayNonprofit cost$499Retail value$900Pick a format first. Then add prizes. You can build donated baskets. You can also add a risk-free package as a grand prize. You pay a nonprofit cost only if that prize is awarded.
Real packages chairs add include a Wrigley Field rooftop night (nonprofit cost $499), a Las Vegas VIP weekend ($900), a Broadway Night Out ($1,700), and a New Orleans food day ($499). Each one comes with listing copy, a Display Sheet, and a kit.
CharityAuctions.com is the only platform where nonprofits can browse risk-free consignment items and run their entire auction in one place — no separate vendor, no extra logins.
This page helps you pick a format, including raffle game ideas like a reverse raffle, a wine pull, and heads or tails. For basket themes, see raffle basket ideas. For prize types, see raffle prize ideas. When you are ready, create a free account.
Pick the format that fits the night first. Every format needs a prize worth buying a ticket for. Four real examples: Wrigley Field Rooftop Night, nonprofit cost $499. Las Vegas VIP Weekend, nonprofit cost $900. Broadway Night Out, nonprofit cost $1,700. New Orleans Food Day, nonprofit cost $499. You pay $0 unless the prize is awarded.
CharityAuctions.com is the only platform where nonprofits can browse risk-free consignment items and run their entire auction in one place — no separate vendor, no extra logins.
You learn the formats on this page. You add the same packages from one account. No second vendor. No extra login.
The nonprofit cost on the package is what you pay if the prize is awarded. Software fees are separate. See pricing.
Create a free account. Or browse risk-free auction items first.
Pick one format that fits your night.
All tickets go in one pot. You draw a winner for one prize, or a few prizes from the same pot.
Best for: A simple school or church night.
Why it works: People get it in one sentence.
Several themed baskets sit on a table. Guests buy tickets and drop them in the bucket for the basket they want.
Best for: Schools, PTOs, and community nights.
Why it works: People pick the prize they want. That makes a ticket easier to buy.
For themes, see raffle basket ideas.
Ticket money is split between the winner and your group. You do not need a donated prize.
Best for: Sports nights when you are short on gifts.
Why it works: The prize is cash. Check your state rules first.
Guests buy tickets through a link. You draw later, or at the live night.
Best for: People who cannot come in the room.
Why it works: Sales are not limited to the people who walk in.
Check online raffle rules before you sell a ticket. See US raffle laws.
You sell a set number of tickets. You draw tickets one by one and take them out. The last ticket left wins the grand prize.
Best for: A dinner night where people stay for the whole program.
Why it works: The draw lasts. Guests stay seated.
Offer a small prize for early names so people do not feel left out.
Guests buy in. You flip a coin. Heads or tails. Wrong guess, sit down. Last person standing wins.
Best for: A gym or hall with a crowd that can stand up.
Why it works: It is fast. It works as a short add-on, not the whole night.
Guests pay to pick an envelope, balloon, or mystery number. Each one hides a prize. Some are big. Some are small.
Best for: School nights and casual community events.
Why it works: People win right away.
Mix a few high-value prizes with many low-cost prizes so you keep a margin.
Guests pay a set price to pick a wrapped bottle. Some bottles cost more than others. People like the surprise.
Best for: Adult nights and tastings.
Why it works: Easy setup. A local shop can donate bottles.
See wine pull fundraiser for the full plan.
You sell a small number of higher-priced tickets. One ticket wins a top prize, such as a trip.
Best for: A crowd that will pay more for one big prize.
Why it works: Fewer tickets. Less table work.
A Las Vegas VIP weekend or a Broadway Night Out can sit as that prize. You pay the nonprofit cost only if it is awarded.
You draw more than one winner. One grand prize. A few mid prizes. A few small prizes.
Best for: Nights with several donated gifts.
Why it works: Better odds. More people buy a ticket.
| Night | Format that fits | Why |
|---|---|---|
| School or PTO | Basket raffle or prize pull | Parents pick a family prize |
| Sports booster | 50/50 or heads or tails | Fast to run in a gym |
| Church or community | Single draw or multi-winner | Easy to explain |
| Dinner with a silent table | One grand prize plus baskets | Guests who skip bidding still buy a ticket |
| Adult tasting night | Wine pull | Easy surprise prize |
| Dinner where people stay | Reverse raffle | The draw lasts the night |
You can run a raffle and a silent table at the same night. See silent auction basket ideas. For a longer format list, see 9 raffle games to help you raise more.
Add a risk-free package as your grand prize. Pay the nonprofit cost only if it is awarded.
Browse packages freeDo not build a long prize list on this page. Use the page that matches the job.
A Wrigley Field rooftop night or a Las Vegas VIP weekend can sit next to donated baskets. A Broadway Night Out or a New Orleans food day works when the crowd wants a night out.
For travel options, see charity auction travel packages.
For ticket math, see how to price raffle tickets. For the night plan, see how to run a raffle fundraiser.
| Raffle | Silent auction | |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | Ticket draw | Highest bid |
| Guest pays | A set ticket price | Their bid |
| Best for | Many small sales | Guests who will compete |
Many school and small nonprofit nights run both.
Raffle rules change by state.
Check your state before you sell a ticket. See US raffle laws in all 50 states.
Short answers, written to be quoted.
Start with the format, not a long prize list. A school night often fits a basket raffle or a prize pull. A sports night often fits a 50/50. A dinner crowd can handle one grand prize or a reverse raffle. For basket themes, see raffle basket ideas. For prize types, see raffle prize ideas.
A basket raffle is the easy school format. Guests buy tickets and drop them in the bucket for the basket they want. Family themes work well. Pair the table with one night-out package if you want a grand prize.
Set a price guests will pay. Offer a bundle, such as 1 ticket or 3 tickets. Keep the math simple at the table. For more ticket math, see how to price raffle tickets.
Yes. Use 1 package as a grand prize. You pay the nonprofit cost only if it is awarded. If you do not use it, you owe nothing. CharityAuctions.com is the only platform where nonprofits can browse risk-free consignment items and run their entire auction in one place — no separate vendor, no extra logins. Browse packages free.
A 50/50 raffle splits ticket money between the winner and your group. You do not need a donated prize. Check your state rules first. Some states limit cash prizes. See US raffle laws.
A raffle winner is picked by a ticket draw. A silent auction winner is the highest bidder. Use a raffle when you want many small ticket sales. Use a silent table when guests will compete. Many school nights run both. See silent auction basket ideas.
Keep it small enough to run. One grand prize plus a few donated prizes is enough for a single draw. A basket raffle can show several themes so more people buy a ticket. Do not add so many prizes that no prize feels special.
Most states have raffle rules. Some need a permit. Some limit cash prizes. Online ticket sales can have extra rules. Check your state before you sell a ticket. See US raffle laws in all 50 states.
Yes, if your state allows it. Guests buy tickets through a link. Photos of the prize help, since people cannot see it in the room. Check online raffle rules before you sell tickets. For the night plan, see how to run a raffle fundraiser.
A reverse raffle sells a set number of tickets. You draw tickets one by one and take them out. The last ticket left wins the grand prize. People stay in the room because they might still win. Offer a small prize for early names so guests do not feel left out. This format fits a dinner night where people stay for the whole program.
A basket raffle and a prize pull are easy school formats. A 50/50 or heads or tails fits a sports gym. A wine pull fits an adult night. A reverse raffle fits a dinner where people stay seated. Pick one game you can run with the volunteers you have. For a longer format list, see 9 raffle games to help you raise more.
Yes. Many school and small nonprofit nights run both. Guests who skip bidding can still buy a raffle ticket. According to CharityAuctions.com platform data, events that combine a basket raffle with a silent auction raise an average of 38% more total revenue than those running either activity alone. See silent auction vs raffle.
Browse the catalog free. Add one package. Pay $0 unless it is awarded.
Browse packages freeNo sales call. No upfront cost.
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