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  4. What is a Charity Raffle and How Does It Work?

What is a Charity Raffle and How Does It Work?

Learn about RallyUp’s Raffle options and how to customize them.

Raffles are a fundraising method where donors purchase entries for the chance to win a prize. RallyUp provides many tools and customization options to help you run a smooth and successful Raffle. The links below will take you to other Knowledge Base articles with further information.


Raffle regulations vary widely depending on location. Before you start planning your Raffle, confirm whether you’re legally allowed to run one:

Understand: Legal Regulations Concerning Raffles

Individuals and for-profit businesses can also run Raffles on behalf of a charity organization. The process depends on the customer type:

For-profit businesses (CSRs): CSRs can run offline Raffles on their own. For online Raffles, the benefiting organization must invite you to fundraise on their behalf through RallyUp. See: Understand: CSR Fundraising for US 501(c) Organizations

Individuals (Advocates): Advocates cannot run Raffles on their own. The benefiting organization must invite you to fundraise on their behalf through RallyUp. See: How-to: Run a Charity Raffle or Sweepstakes If You Are an Individual


What’s the difference between Raffles and Sweepstakes?

Sweepstakes are a good alternative to Raffles since they function similarly. The key difference is that Sweepstakes must offer a free method of entry:

Understand: Raffles vs. Sweepstakes


What pricing options are available for Raffles?

Pricing options can be found in the following article:

What Are RallyUp’s Pricing Options? Free vs Flex


What types of Raffles can I run on RallyUp?

There are several types of Raffles you can run on RallyUp:

  • 50/50 Raffle (also known as a split-the-pot or jackpot Raffle): Donors can enter for a chance to win part of the funds raised

How-to: Run a 50/50 Raffle

  • Prize Raffle: Donors can enter for a chance to win traditional prizes like vacation packages, goodie baskets, etc.

How-to: Allow Donors to Purchase Raffle Entries for Any Prize Available

How-to: Allow Donors to Purchase Raffle Entries for Specific Prizes


Can I preview a sample Raffle before creating my own?

Take a glimpse at a sample Raffle to see if this Component is right for you.


How do I add offline Raffle entries to my Campaign?

You can also sell Raffle entries offline. RallyUp makes it easy to add those offline purchases to your online records:

How-to: Add Raffle or Sweepstakes Entries You’ve Sold Offline


How should I set up entry levels to maximize donations?

The way you set up your entry levels can encourage more people to participate and donate at higher levels so you raise the most money possible:

Insights: Use Entry Levels to Increase Donations

How-to: Create Raffle and Sweepstakes Entry Levels


What is Campaign pre-registration and how does it work?

Pre-registration allows donors to create a RallyUp account and save a payment method before your Raffle begins. When your Raffle starts, they can check out quickly and easily:

Understand: Campaign Pre-Registration


How can I promote my Raffle to reach more donors?

Spreading the word about your Raffle to as many people as possible is the best way to ensure its success. You can share the link or QR code to your fundraiser on social media or send an email to your donors, family, and friends to get the word out:

How-to: Find and Share Your Campaign Link

How-to: Use QR Codes to Promote Your Fundraisers

Our free Text-to-Give tool allows donors to text a keyword to 33100 and immediately receive a Campaign link so they can participate and donate from their mobile device:

How-to: Promote Your Campaign with Text-to-Give

RallyUp’s Sharing Rewards program gives donors bonus entries for promoting your Campaign on social media. This helps your Raffle reach a much wider audience:

How-to: Promote Your Raffle or Sweepstakes with Sharing Rewards

If you’re planning to host a live event and draw winners in person, consider turning it into a hybrid event by livestreaming the drawing. You can even enable Gated Livestreaming and require donors to purchase tickets to view the Livestream:

Insights: Turn Your Fundraiser into a Live Virtual Event


How do I draw winners for my Raffle?

RallyUp offers multiple options for automatic or manual drawing, so you can select the option that works best for your situation:

Understand: Drawing Raffle and Sweepstakes Winners


How do I notify Raffle winners and non-winners?

Similarly to drawing winners, you can have RallyUp email the winners and non-winners automatically, or you can notify them manually:

How-to: Notify Raffle, Sweepstakes, and Auction Winners

How-to: Notify Raffle, Sweepstakes, and Auction Non-Winners


What reports are available for managing my Raffle?

RallyUp provides several reports you can use to manage Raffle details and analyze data:

Understand: Raffle Reports


How can I track donor behavior and analyze Campaign performance?

Integrate your RallyUp account with Google Analytics or Meta Pixel to track donor behavior on your Campaign Pages. Use these insights to pinpoint successful fundraising methods, create targeted ads, and more:

Understand: Meta Pixel

Understand: Google Analytics


How do I get started creating my Raffle Campaign?

Click here to create a free account and start building your fundraiser. Test out your Campaign before going live by selecting the ‘Preview’ button at the top of any page in Campaign Setup:

How-to: Preview Your Campaigns in Draft Mode


How can I get help with my Raffle Campaign?

Have questions? We’re here to help! Our team is available via chat on our website during normal business hours. Just hit the purple message button on the bottom right of your screen. You can also search our Knowledge Base for answers.


Frequently Asked Questions

What is a charity Raffle and how does it work?

A charity Raffle is a fundraising method where donors purchase entries for the chance to win prizes. RallyUp provides tools to run both traditional prize Raffles and 50/50 Raffles where winners receive a portion of the funds raised.

No, Raffle regulations vary by location across the US. Thirteen states prohibit online Raffles entirely. Always confirm your eligibility and legal compliance before launching a Raffle.

Insights: See If You’re Eligible to Run a Raffle

Can I run both a 50/50 Raffle and Prize Raffle at the same time?

Yes, you can offer both cash prizes and traditional prizes in the same Campaign. This gives donors more prize options and can increase participation by appealing to different donor preferences.

How can I encourage more people to participate in my Raffle?

Try strategic entry level pricing with discounts for bulk purchases. You can also promote your Raffle with Text-to-Give, Sharing Rewards, and social media. Consider Livestreaming your winner drawing to create excitement and engagement.

Can individuals or for-profit businesses run charity Raffles on RallyUp?

Yes, both individuals and for-profit businesses can run Raffles on behalf of charity organizations through RallyUp. The process and capabilities differ depending on your customer type:

For-profit businesses (CSRs): CSRs can run offline Raffles on their own. For online Raffles, the benefiting organization must invite you to fundraise on their behalf through RallyUp. See: Understand: CSR Fundraising for US 501(c) Organizations

Individuals (Advocates): Advocates cannot run Raffles on their own. The benefiting organization must invite you to fundraise on their behalf through RallyUp, which gives you the ability to run Raffles and Sweepstakes. See: How-to: Run a Charity Raffle or Sweepstakes If You Are an Individual

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