Raising More Funds with Raffles

Raffles have strict rules in nearly every state, yet they remain a cornerstone of nonprofit fundraising for good reason—they’re interactive, flexible, and a fun way to engage donors. 

However, not all raffles are created equal. From classic ticket-based drawings to modern twists like online or reverse raffles, each type offers its own unique advantages. Selecting the right type for your next event can elevate your fundraiser and leave a lasting impression on your supporters. 

Ready to explore the different types of raffles and find the perfect fit for your nonprofit? Let’s begin.

What is a Raffle?

A raffle is a simple way to raise money where people buy tickets for a chance to win a prize. Each ticket has a unique number, and one or more winning numbers are drawn at random. 

For example, a school might sell raffle tickets to fund a new playground. Participants could win prizes like gift cards, electronics, or a weekend getaway. 

Raffles are popular because they’re easy to set up and fun to join. It’s a fun and practical way for communities and nonprofits to bring people together while raising funds for a meaningful cause.

Different Types of Raffle For Fundraising

Have you ever wondered how to make fundraising more exciting and engaging? Different types of raffle offer unique fundraising approaches that can make your event successful.

1. Traditional Raffle

Traditional raffles are probably what come to mind first when thinking about types of raffles for fundraising. They’re as simple as it gets. 

Participants buy tickets, each with a unique number, for a chance to win a prize. The more tickets someone buys, the better their chances of winning. 

How It Works

1. Set a Prize: Start by choosing an appealing prize. It could be anything from a gift basket to a larger item like a vacation package.
2. Sell Tickets: Spread the word about your raffle and sell tickets online, in person, or both.
3. Draw the Winner: At the end of your campaign, hold a drawing to pick the winning ticket(s). 

Pros of a Traditional Raffle

• You don’t need any special tools or platforms to run this type of raffle.
• Ticket printing costs are usually low, making this a budget-friendly option.
• Most people know how raffles work, so there’s no need to explain much.

Cons of a Traditional Raffle

• You might not reach a wide audience if you only sell tickets in person.
• Without strong marketing, ticket sales can be slow.
• The success depends on how exciting your prize is and how well you advertise.

Traditional raffles are a great starting point if you're new to using raffles for fundraising. They’re tried and tested, which makes them a reliable option for raising funds.

2. Single-Prize Raffle

A single-prize raffle is exactly what it sounds like—a raffle with just one big prize to win. Unlike other types of raffles for fundraising, this one keeps things simple, focusing on one enticing reward to grab attention and drive ticket sales.

How It Works

1. Select the Prize: Start with a prize that’s unique or high-value enough to excite your audience.
2. Set Ticket Prices: Tickets are often sold at a slightly higher price since participants are hoping for one big reward.
3. Promote the Raffle: Highlight the prize in your promotions to build interest and sell tickets.
4. Draw the Winner: At the end of the campaign, pull one ticket to announce the winner.

Pros of a Single-Prize Raffle

• With just one prize, there’s less planning and fewer logistics involved.
• A single, high-quality prize can create excitement and drive sales.
• You only need one prize, which can save costs compared to raffles with multiple rewards.

Cons of a Single-Prize Raffle

• Ticket sales might struggle if the prize doesn’t connect with your audience.
• Some participants might prefer raffles with multiple chances to win.
• Selling fewer, more expensive tickets could make it harder to reach your fundraising goal.

A single-prize raffle works best when your audience is enthusiastic about the prize you’re offering. It’s a great way to keep things simple while creating buzz and effectively raising funds.

3. 50/50 Raffle

A 50/50 raffle is a unique take among the types of raffles for fundraising, where both your nonprofit and the winner share the proceeds.

This type of raffle splits the money raised from ticket sales between your organization and the winner. The more tickets sold, the bigger the prize pot, which makes it exciting for participants while ensuring funds for your cause.

How It Works

1. Set Up the Raffle: Announce the 50/50 raffle and explain that half the ticket sales will go to the winner and the other half to your nonprofit.
2. Sell Tickets: You can sell tickets during an event, online, or both. Keep the price affordable to encourage more participation.
3. Track Sales: Keep a running total of the prize pool to build excitement.
4. Draw the Winner: Pick a ticket randomly and award the winner their share of the pot.

Pros of a 50/50 Raffle

• You don’t need a prize since the winner’s reward comes from ticket sales.
• It’s easy to set up and run, especially at events where attendees are ready to buy tickets.
• As the prize pool grows, more people are likely to join in.

Cons of a 50/50 Raffle

• The prize and your funds rely entirely on how many tickets you sell.
• Since there will be only one winner, participants might hesitate to participate.
• Participants want to trust that the split is fair, so you’ll need clear communication about the process.

4. Reverse Raffle

A reverse raffle flips the traditional raffle format on its head, adding a unique and suspenseful element to your fundraiser. This approach is popular among the different types of raffles because instead of randomly drawing a winner, you eliminate participants one by one until the last ticket remains.

In a reverse raffle, the goal is to avoid having your ticket drawn—until the very end. The last ticket standing wins the grand prize.

How It Works

1. Sell Tickets: Just like with a traditional raffle, participants buy tickets for a chance to win.
2. Draw Tickets: During the event, tickets are drawn one by one. But instead of winning, these tickets are eliminated from the pool.
3. Build Suspense: As the pool narrows, the tension grows for the remaining participants.
4. Announce the Winner: The grand prize is awarded to the last ticket left. To add excitement, you could offer smaller prizes for those eliminated closer to the end.

Pros of a Reverse Raffle

• The slow elimination process creates excitement and keeps the audience engaged.
• People love the suspense, which makes it great for live events.
• You can have a single grand prize or smaller rewards for participants eliminated later in the process.

Cons of a Reverse Raffle

• Drawing and announcing tickets takes longer than a traditional raffle.
• You’ll need a good setup to ensure the process runs smoothly, especially for live events.
• Reverse raffles rely on the energy of a live audience to keep the excitement alive.

A reverse raffle is perfect for nonprofits looking to make their event interactive and memorable. It’s a great way to engage participants while raising funds and spreading awareness for your cause.

5. Calendar Raffle

A calendar raffle spreads the excitement over an extended period, offering multiple chances to win while supporting your cause. It’s one of the different types of raffles that keeps donors engaged for weeks.

This raffle works like a traditional one, but instead of one prize at the end, winners are drawn daily, weekly, or throughout a set period (usually a month). 

Participants purchase tickets, and each ticket gives them multiple chances to win.

How It Works

1. Create a Calendar: Design a calendar highlighting each day or week's prize(s). Prizes can vary in value to maintain interest.
2. Sell Tickets: Each ticket enters the buyer into every drawing during the raffle period. The earlier they buy, the more chances they get to win.
3. Hold Drawings: Randomly select a winner on the scheduled days. You can announce results through email, social media, or events.
4. Engage Participants: Share updates regularly to keep excitement high and remind others to join.

Pros of a Calendar Raffle

• Multiple chances to win increases the value for ticket buyers.
• Daily or weekly drawings keep your audience involved throughout the raffle period.
• The extended timeline allows for more opportunities to advertise and sell tickets.

Cons of a Calendar Raffle

• Organizing prizes and scheduling daily or weekly drawings takes more effort.
• Offering multiple prizes means you may need donations or a larger budget.
• Regular updates are essential to keep participants informed and excited.

A calendar raffle is ideal for nonprofits that want to maintain donor interest over time while raising steady funds. It’s an engaging and creative way to boost participation and awareness for your cause.

 6. Golden Ticket Raffle

A golden ticket raffle is a high-stakes, exclusive spin on the different types of raffles.

In this raffle, a limited number of tickets are sold, usually at a higher price, to create an air of exclusivity. The prize is often a big-ticket item like a luxury vacation, a new car, or a significant cash prize. 

This format appeals to those who enjoy better odds and are willing to pay more for a chance to win something truly special.

How It Works

1. Choose the Prize: Select a high-value prize that will generate buzz.
2. Set the Ticket Limit: Decide on the maximum number of tickets to be sold. Keep the number low to make the raffle feel exclusive.
3. Sell Tickets: Market the raffle by emphasizing the limited availability and the premium prize.
4. Draw the Winner: Once all tickets are sold or by a set date, randomly select a winner to claim the grand prize.

Pros of a Golden Ticket Raffle

• The combination of exclusivity and a premium prize attracts attention.
• Fewer tickets mean you can focus on selling to a smaller, targeted audience.
• Limited tickets make the chances of winning more attractive.

Cons of a Golden Ticket Raffle

• The cost per ticket might deter some potential buyers.
• The exclusivity may appeal to fewer people.
• If the prize isn’t donated, the expense could be significant.

Golden ticket raffles work well for nonprofits with access to a wealthy audience or a large donor base willing to invest in a chance to win something extraordinary. It’s an excellent choice for special events or campaigns where you want to make a big impression.

7. Bucket Raffle (Chinese Raffle)

A bucket raffle, also called a Chinese raffle, offers a creative way to raise funds. It combines the simplicity of traditional raffles with more flexibility for participants.

In this type of raffle, multiple prizes are up for grabs, and participants can decide which prize(s) they want to try for. Each prize has its own “bucket” (or container), where participants drop their tickets, making it a fun and personalized experience.

How It Works

1. Set Up Prizes and Buckets: Display the prizes with a bucket or container next to each one. Label them clearly so participants know which prize is which.
2. Sell Tickets: Participants purchase tickets.
3. Choose Their Buckets: Buyers place tickets in the buckets for the prizes they’re most interested in. This gives them control over which prizes they want a chance to win.
4. Draw Winners: At the end, randomly draw a ticket from each bucket to determine the winners of each prize.

Pros of a Bucket Raffle

• Donors appreciate being able to target specific prizes they want to win.
• Works well if you have a variety of prizes that appeal to different audiences.
• The process of choosing buckets is engaging and adds an element of strategy for participants.

Cons of a Bucket Raffle

• You’ll need to organize and display each prize and its corresponding bucket.
• Some prizes may attract fewer tickets, making the process feel uneven.
• It requires careful monitoring to ensure everything is fair and organized.

A bucket raffle is perfect for events where people can interact with the setup, like community gatherings or charity galas. It’s a flexible option that keeps participants engaged while raising funds for your nonprofit.

8. Online Raffle

An online raffle is a modern way to raise funds by using technology. Among the different types of raffles, this one allows participants to join from anywhere, making it convenient and accessible.

An online raffle uses a digital platform to sell tickets, display prizes, and draw winners. It’s especially useful for reaching a broader audience since everything happens online.

Not sure how to organize one? Check our detailed guide on Online Raffles: A Step-by-Step Guide to Successful & Easy Fundraisers

How It Works

1. Choose a Platform: Use BetterWorld’s Free Raffle and Giveaway Software to manage everything hassle-free.
2. Set Up Prizes: Upload descriptions and images of the prizes to make them appealing to participants.
3. Sell Tickets: Promote your raffle through social media, email, and your website. Participants can buy tickets digitally, often through secure payment methods.
4. Draw Winners: Use the platform to randomly select winners, ensuring a fair process. Announce the results online to wrap up the event.

Pros of an Online Raffle

• You can sell tickets to people far beyond your local area.
• Participants can join from the comfort of their own homes.
• Digital tools like social media and email campaigns make spreading the word simple.
• BetterWorld handles ticket sales, tracking, and drawing winners, reducing manual work.

Cons of an Online Raffle

• Not everyone may feel comfortable using online platforms.
• Some raffle software takes a percentage of the sales or charges setup fees. With BetterWorld, you keep all the funds you raise.
• Unlike in-person raffles, you might miss out on building face-to-face connections.

Online raffles are a great fit for nonprofits that want to expand their reach and simplify the process. They’re especially effective when paired with a strong digital promotion strategy to attract participants.

9. Wine Pull Raffle

A wine pull raffle is a creative and interactive way to raise funds while offering participants a guaranteed win. Unlike some types of raffles for fundraising, this one combines chance with the certainty that everyone will take home a bottle of wine.

In this raffle, participants purchase a ticket to randomly “pull” a bottle of wine from a collection. The twist is that the wines vary in value, with some being high-end bottles and others more modest selections. The element of surprise keeps it fun and engaging.

How It Works

1. Collect Wine Donations: Reach out to supporters or local businesses to donate bottles of wine. Aim for a mix of price points to make it exciting.
2. Set Up the Display: Arrange the bottles, often in a way where participants can’t see the labels (wrapped or concealed).
3. Sell Tickets: Each ticket allows a participant to pull one bottle of wine from the collection. Tickets are typically priced higher than the average value of the wines.
4. Let Participants Pull: Ticket holders randomly select a bottle, discovering what they’ve won only after the pull.

Pros of a Wine Pull Raffle

• Every participant leaves with something.
•  The surprise element of the pull adds excitement.
• If you can secure wine donations, the setup is pretty simple.
• Works well at galas or gatherings with wine enthusiasts.

Cons of a Wine Pull Raffle

• It may only appeal to wine lovers.
• Success depends on the quality and variety of the wine collection.
• Pricing tickets too high or too low can affect participation and profits.

A wine pull raffle is a fantastic option if your audience appreciates wine and enjoys the thrill of chance. It’s simple to run and adds a touch of class to your fundraising event.

10. Jar Raffle

A jar raffle is a playful and unpredictable way to raise funds. This format offers a twist by turning jars into mystery prize containers.

In a jar raffle, small prizes or surprise notes are hidden inside jars. Participants pay a set amount to pick a jar randomly, not knowing what they’ll win until after they’ve chosen. This simple idea creates an element of surprise and makes it a fun activity for all ages.

How It Works

1. Prepare the Jars: Fill jars with small prizes, candy, or even surprise notes, offering additional rewards like gift cards or raffle tickets for a bigger prize.
2. Set a Price: Charge a flat fee per jar pull. Keep it affordable to encourage more participation.
3. Let Participants Pick: Participants pay to pick a jar and discover what’s inside. Every jar contains a prize, so everyone walks away with something.
4. Reveal the Surprises: After picking, participants open their jars to reveal their prizes.

Pros of a Jar Raffle

• Every participant gets something, making it more appealing.
• Requires only jars, small prizes, and a bit of creativity.
• The mystery element keeps people engaged and excited.
• Perfect for events with kids and families.

Cons of a Jar Raffle

• Small prizes may not appeal to all participants.
• Collecting enough items to fill the jars can take some effort.
• Works best as a supplementary activity at an event rather than a primary fundraiser.

A jar raffle is a lighthearted and low-cost option for nonprofits looking to add a fun activity to their events. It’s easy to organize and creates a sense of excitement that draws people in.

How BetterWorld Helps Nonprofits Raise More with Less Effort

Ready to raise funds without the hassle? BetterWorld is your all-in-one fundraising solution. Whether you’re running a raffle, organizing a campaign, or running an auction, BetterWorld has the tools to make it easy, free, and effective.

With Customizable Donation Forms, you can collect funds securely and effortlessly, offering options like recurring gifts and automated receipts. 

Plus, it’s completely free—no hidden fees, so more money goes to your mission.

For Sports Teams, BetterWorld simplifies fundraising with tools to organize raffles, sell tickets, and build community support. Why spend hours juggling logistics when you can focus on what matters most?

Why Choose BetterWorld?

• User-Friendly Tools: From donation forms to raffle ticketing, everything is intuitive and designed for nonprofits.
• No Fees: BetterWorld offers free tools, ensuring more of your funds go directly to your cause.
• Versatility: From a nonprofit to a sports team, BetterWorld adapts to your fundraising goals.

Thousands of nonprofits trust BetterWorld to streamline their efforts and boost their results. You can, too.

Start raising more today—Sign Up For Free!