How to Hold a Raffle Auction Fund Raiser

Need some help raising money for your child's school, church or football little league? Here's a fundraiser that's sure to be fun while generating those much needed dollars.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Facility (indoor or outdoor)
• Tables
• Portable microphone
• Sound system
• Cashbox
• Two part tickets
• Items to auction/raffle (donated)
• Flyers
• Plenty of volunteers
• Permit/License (possibly)

Getting Started

1. Decide on time to hold the event. Keep in mind that you can hold it alone, or partner with something that may already be going on. For example, during half time at the high school football game, or part of the church picnic.

2. Obtain a permit/license if applicable. Raffles and auctions can be considered as gambling so be careful. Check with your local government office to see if a permit will be needed.

3. Find items that can be donated. Go to hotels, flower shops, pizza and burger joints, larger corporations like Wal-mart, or car wash services. Let the business know what organization you are having the fund raiser for, and what your goals are. Items don't have to be new. You'll be surprised what you can find in your neighbors garage, or your aunts attic.

4. Make up fliers for the event. Include the date, time and location. Tease the reader with some of the items that are going to be auctioned of. Put the organization name on the flier and contact information. Advertise in the newspaper if desired.

5. Secure or buy your equipment and supplies: tables, cashbox and two-part tickets.

6. Distribute fliers. Use volunteers to help with the distribution.

Day of the Raffle/Auction

7. Set up tables. Place items for "bid" on different tables. Post a volunteer at each table with tickets.

8. Announce to audience the time the winners of the auction will be announced for each item. Place a bowl next to each item. On the item have an actual bid price. Individuals will then take a "chance" and purchase a ticket for that item for the amount of the bid. The volunteer takes the bid money and gives the individual one half of the ticket and places the other half in the bowl next to the item.

9. After a specified amount of time ( know in advance how long the auction will go on) the bidding/auction will stop and the raffle will begin. A ticket is picked out of each bowl and the winner (whoever has the matching ticket) is announced. The winner gets to take the item home!

Tips & Warnings

• Try to have enough volunteers to handle the table and the money. It's better to be extra prepared.
• You may want the volunteers handling money to wear aprons with pockets to place the money once a bid is made. Have another volunteer walk around periodically and collect the money to take to the cash box.
• Try to secure as many high quality donations as possible. You can raise more money this way.

Who Can Help:

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