Transcript Organizing a Car Raffle

Organizing a Car Raffle
Organizing a Car Raffle
Raffles are one type of fundraiser where you
have almost total control over the
expenses and income you raise. Raffles
might seem simple but, like any
fundraising effort worth doing, raffles
should be well planned and organized.
Undertaking the raffle of an expensive
item like a car requires even more careful
advanced planning.
Car Raffle Basics
Before deciding to hold a car raffle, it is essential
that you be aware of what will be involved in the
process. Unlike a 50/50 raffle or the raffle of a
smaller prize, the costs involved in a car raffle
could be much higher. While it would be ideal to
have a car (or the cost of) donated by an
individual or corporation, your organization must
also be aware that the cost of the prize may
have to be provided by your agency. In addition,
there may be some expenses involved with
printing tickets or advertising the event.
Obtaining a Prize Donation
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It is an ideal situation to find a donor/s
willing to incur the expense of the vehicle.
This will allow your organization to make a
100% profit on ticket sales. While you
may already have a relationship with a
wealthy individual that would be willing to
make the donation, corporate sponsorship
will more than likely be a must to make
this fundraiser successful.
Obtaining a Prize Donation
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Corporations are a major source of giving on an
international scale. Whether they give from their
corporate foundations or with corporate sponsorships,
corporations generally want more than a “feel-good” for
their part of the bargain. Philanthropy is good business.
Favorable public opinion is a sought after goal in both
the for-profit and non-profit industries. Aligning with a
good cause benefits the company by boosting good will,
perhaps increasing sales, raising visibility, and creating a
sense of benevolence and involvement that may help
them attract good employees.
Obtaining a Prize Donation
You’ll want to find out which corporations
give in your area. Also, larger companies
such as the car manufacturers may
participate in corporate giving. Some types
of corporations to ask for sponsorship may
include:
Obtaining a Prize Donation
Automotive dealers and large retail stores with
automotive sections
 Large hardware stores (they tend to be involved with
racing, and may also be willing to sell tickets)
 Car Manufacturers
 Fortune 500 companies in your area
 Professional Sports Teams
 Businesses in your area that have shown interest in your
cause
 Corporations that have a connection to members of your
board
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Obtaining a Prize Donation
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The goals of the organization and/or specifics of
the fundraiser
The background of the organization
Exactly how the donations is going to be used
How realistic your fundraising plans are and
what your budget looks like
How the efforts of the fundraiser will be
monitored and evaluated
How their company can be showcased in a
positive manner
Obtaining a Prize Donation
Also, a business plan, marketing plan, or other
documents may be required. Promotion of the
event will also be key, so that the sponsors can
get the recognition they deserve.
 Tip: Solicit items via e-mail. Over the past
few years this has proven to be a highly
successful strategy. It's quick, costs next to
nothing, and doesn't take a lot of time (whereas
phone calls can be quite time consuming).
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Purchasing the Prize Vehicle
If you are unable to obtain sponsors to
cover the cost of the prize, your
organization will have to budget for
incurring this expense. You may already
have money available from holding
previous fundraising events, or you may
want to work out a deal with a local auto
dealer to order the vehicle and pay for it
with profits from ticket sales.
Purchasing the Prize Vehicle
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When choosing the right prize to offer, know
the demographics of your audience and
find raffle items that will appeal to them.
For example, an environmental group could
raffle off a new Prius hybrid car and a men's
group might raffle off a Harley Davidson
motorcycle. If you will be selling to mainly
working class people you’d probably want to
consider an economy vehicle, while for a
wealthier group would prefer a luxury car.
Selling Tickets
A maximum of 5,000 tickets should be
sold. This entices participants with
excellent odds, so be sure to mention this
statistic to possible purchasers.
 Each volunteer should receive a predetermined number of tickets. That
person is responsible for the sale or return
of ALL tickets given to them by the team
leader or point person.
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Selling Tickets
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Always mention your organization and the
cause you stand for. People want to know
where their money will be going and who
it will be supporting. Be sure to have a
few stories of success on hand to share
with possible donors. Appeal to their
emotions by sharing personal experiences
you’ve had with the organization.
Selling Tickets
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REMEMBER-Raffle tickets are cash! Please
make your sales team aware of the
absolute necessity of this fact. If lost,
tickets must be paid for or found and
returned.
Price Point
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The price set for tickets can make or
break a raffle fundraiser. The ticket price
needs to be high enough to reflect the
value of the prize, and to raise the funds
needed. However, it shouldn’t be so high
that no one will want to buy a ticket!
Price Point
Again, you have to know your audience. What
are your supporters willing to pay for a ticket?
For some luxury prizes and/or audiences you
may need to charge $50 or $100 a ticket. But
remember, the lower your ticket price, the more
tickets you need to sell to make a good profit.
For an economy vehicle, a ticket price of $20 or
$25 is the norm.
 This is why having a big prize is so important.
You can charge a higher ticket price for big
ticket prizes, thus creating even more profit for
your organization.
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Promotions
Show your prize off!
 This is a fundraiser that should be advertised
heavily to sell tickets quickly. Drive up demand
by having photos of the car in your advertising,
on your website, or in your flyers. If using flyers
as a promotional tool, be sure to include a
photo, car information, a contact person, price
of tickets, number of tickets to be sold, date and
time of raffle, and sponsors you wish to
advertise.
Promotions
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Post these flyers throughout the
community and print out smaller flyers to
distribute to individuals. Solicit businesses
in your area that will allow you to sell
tickets for a day. Focus on retailers who
get a great deal of customers throughout
the day.
Promotions
Retailers to inquire for sales permission include:
 Car Dealerships
 Motorcycle Shops
 Automotive Stores
 Grocery Stores
 Warehouse Stores
 Department Stores
 Malls
 Gyms
 Restaurants
 Bars
 Apartment Complexes
Rules
You’ll want to set some rules or guidelines
for the raffle. Examples may include:
 There is no limit to the number of tickets
an individual can purchase.
 To avoid any fraud or perception of fraud,
no employees of your organization or any
organization associated with the raffle can
be eligible for prizes.
Good Luck!!!