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Step 1
Choose the cause that will benefit from the raffle. The proceeds of a raffle must go to a nonprofit group, such as an animal shelter, youth baseball team or cancer awareness organization.
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Step 2
Consult your state laws. Coordinating a raffle contest for personal or business profit is a form of a "lottery," so make sure you are in compliance with all state laws before running your own raffle.
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Step 3
Give yourself at least three months to run your raffle contest. Gather together a team of people to help you organize the event, and delegate tasks to each individual, such as printing and selling tickets, creating and distributing event fliers, hanging posters at local businesses and soliciting prizes from donors. Set a fund-raising goal by estimating how many tickets you will sell, and calculate the potential proceeds for your charity group. Find a large bowl, vase or box for all the purchased raffle tickets. Choose a date for the raffle drawing.
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Step 4
Make or purchase raffle tickets. Save money by making your own at home or buying them inexpensively from a local print shop. Include a number and a perforated edge that splits the ticket into two parts (one for the purchaser and one for the raffle basket) on each ticket. Each part should have space for the purchaser's contact information and the raffle drawing information.
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Step 5
Find prizes for your raffle drawing. Giving cash or purchased prizes can take away from a potential contest profit; therefore, solicit donated items for your raffle. Ask local businesses (such as spas, grocery stores, tire centers and restaurants) to give gift certificates. Ask friends to donate their professional services (such as home, pool or carpet cleaning). Get a desirable prize that can be your selling "hook," such as free golf rounds, a motorcycle or vacation rentals.
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Step 6
Advertise your fund-raising endeavor. Hang posters in places that will attract attention (such as a coffee shop, library or doctor's office). Send out emails to your friends and family to promote your raffle. Share your efforts with people at your workplace.
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Step 7
Sell your raffle tickets for an appropriate price. Depending on the value of your prizes, determine a fair ticket fee. Oftentimes, raffle tickets sell for $1 or $2. However, for high-value prizes (such as a boat), sell your raffle tickets for $10 or more.
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Step 8
Keep the raffle ticket money in a safe place. Have a specific envelope, bank account or lock box for all moneys received from ticket purchasers. Keep organized records of the amounts donated.
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Step 9
Complete the raffle contest with a drawing once the tickets have all been sold (or you have reached the determined drawing date). Most contest drawings are done in front of an audience--such as at a school pep rally or private party--to build excitement and ensure fairness. Blindfold the person who draws the ticket from the raffle basket. Maintain excellent records to contact the winners, and distribute their prizes promptly.
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Step 10
Donate all raffle proceeds to your designated charity. Mail or hand over a check to your nonprofit group.
