How to Run a Raffle Fundraiser That Actually Makes Money

Raffle fundraisers are a tried-and-true method to raise money, but they’re far from outdated. When planned well, a raffle can create excitement, increase community involvement, and generate real profit for your school, sports team, or nonprofit.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to run a raffle fundraiser successfully, explore legal considerations, and share raffle fundraising ideas that actually work—plus how Midland Fundraising can help you make the most of it.
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What Is a Raffle Fundraiser?

A raffle fundraiser is a simple concept: your group sells tickets for a chance to win prizes. At the end of the fundraiser, winners are drawn randomly. It’s low-cost, easy to organize, and appeals to a wide audience.

Raffle fundraisers are especially effective when paired with a product fundraiser—like Midland’s cookie dough, tote bags, or popcorn—because they increase participation and add value to each sale.
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What Makes a Raffle Fundraiser Successful?

If you want your raffle fundraiser to actually drive profits and participation, these core elements are essential:
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1. Offer Prizes People Want

The better the prizes, the more tickets you’ll sell. Consider:
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• Gift cards
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• Local business donations
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• Themed gift baskets
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• Tickets to events or attractions
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• Free product incentives like cookie dough tubs
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Tip: Encourage participants to sell by offering one raffle entry for every 12 fundraising items sold. It’s a fun, motivational way to reward participation.
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2. Keep Ticket Pricing Clear and Simple

Keep your pricing structure easy to understand:
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• $1 per ticket
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• $5 for 6 tickets
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• $10 for 15 tickets
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Bundle pricing encourages larger purchases and increases your profit margins. Always include details on what the money is supporting.
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3. Promote the Raffle Everywhere

Promotion can make or break your raffle fundraiser. Use:
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• Flyers sent home with students
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• Social media (Facebook, Instagram, school pages)
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• Newsletters and classroom announcements
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• Group chats, email lists, and text updates
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Midland Fundraising provides digital and print materials to help you promote your raffle and product fundraiser in one cohesive campaign.
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Are Raffle Fundraisers Legal?

Yes, but there’s a catch. Raffle fundraiser laws vary by state, and some states require special permits or registration. Others restrict raffles altogether, especially when run through schools or nonprofits.

Always check your local and state laws before launching a raffle fundraiser.

To stay compliant and simplify your process, many groups run raffles as an incentive tied to product sales. For example, for every 12 fundraising items sold, participants receive one raffle entry—no direct ticket sales required.
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Raffle Fundraising Ideas That Work

If you’re looking for raffle themes and structures that generate buzz, here are some great options:
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Classroom or Team Raffle

Each class or team gets its own raffle jar. Supporters buy tickets and drop them into the jar for the class they want to support. The winner receives a class prize or party.
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Themed Basket Raffle

Assemble donated items into themed baskets—like movie night, baking kits, or local favorites—and sell tickets for each basket drawing.
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50/50 Raffle

Sell tickets where 50% of the proceeds go to the group and 50% goes to the winning ticket holder.
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Seasonal Raffle

Tie your raffle to the season. For example, a “Fall Family Night” bundle or a “Holiday Cheer Basket” adds relevance and appeal.
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Product-Based Raffle Incentive

Offer one free raffle entry for every 12 fundraising items sold. This is a great way to boost participation in cookie dough, popcorn, or tote fundraisers.
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How Midland Fundraising Supports Your Raffle Success

At Midland Fundraising, we help you combine the power of raffles with high-profit product fundraisers. Here’s how we make it easy:
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• High-quality product selection: Cookie dough, totes, popcorn, and more
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• No upfront costs: We provide everything you need to get started
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• Online and paper order options: Great for schools and community groups
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• Flexible prize structures: Use product incentives or donated items
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• Full-service support: From kickoff to prize distribution, we’re here to help
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Want a simple way to increase engagement? Offer one free chocolate chip cookie dough tub for every 12 sold—plus one raffle entry per participant (limit one per order). It’s fun, motivating, and drives results.
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Ready to Start Your Raffle Fundraiser?

If you’re planning a raffle fundraiser, Midland Fundraising can help you turn it into a high-impact campaign. Whether you want to add a raffle to your fall product sale or launch a stand-alone drive, we’ll help you get everything set up—fast.

Start Your Fundraiser Today or connect with our team to build a custom plan for your group.
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Bonus: Free Raffle Flyer Template

Want to promote your raffle quickly and professionally? We’ve created a free editable flyer template you can customize with your group’s details—perfect for schools, teams, and nonprofits. Just add your dates, ticket info, and prizes, and you’re ready to go.
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Download the Editable Raffle Flyer Template:
Click here to access the Canva template