Organizing a 50/50Organizing a 50/50

Split-the Pot RaffleSplit-the Pot Raffle

Why a 50/50 Raffle?Why a 50/50 Raffle?

A 50/50 raffle is probably the easiest of A 50/50 raffle is probably the easiest of all raffles to run and has the bonus of a all raffles to run and has the bonus of a minimum initial outlay. There is no minimum initial outlay. There is no need to pre-arrange prizes of any sort need to pre-arrange prizes of any sort or worry over what to offer as the next or worry over what to offer as the next prize, which makes it easier to enroll prize, which makes it easier to enroll volunteers. And of course, cash is king-volunteers. And of course, cash is king-we could all use more cash!we could all use more cash!

The BasicsThe Basics

A fringe benefit of raffles is that there are A fringe benefit of raffles is that there are no large up front costs, no inventory or no large up front costs, no inventory or product to stockpile, no orders to take, and product to stockpile, no orders to take, and no product to deliver except winners' no product to deliver except winners' checks. Also, success is not dependent checks. Also, success is not dependent upon advertising. The advertising is done upon advertising. The advertising is done one-on-one as people sell tickets. This is a one-on-one as people sell tickets. This is a great idea for any size group from just ten great idea for any size group from just ten people to hundreds.people to hundreds.

The BasicsThe Basics

50-50 raffles simply involve the sale of 50-50 raffles simply involve the sale of raffle tickets with the proceeds being split raffle tickets with the proceeds being split evenly between the winner and your evenly between the winner and your organization. 50-50 raffles can be held at organization. 50-50 raffles can be held at another party, event, or sporting event.  another party, event, or sporting event.  Tickets are sold before and during the Tickets are sold before and during the event and the raffle occurs at the end. The event and the raffle occurs at the end. The winner receives ½ the proceeds from the winner receives ½ the proceeds from the raffle with the other ½ of the proceeds go raffle with the other ½ of the proceeds go to the charity.to the charity.

PreparationPreparation

Your only expense is the raffle tickets. You may Your only expense is the raffle tickets. You may choose to purchase a double roll of tickets, or choose to purchase a double roll of tickets, or customize your raffle tickets using customize your raffle tickets using ticket ticket templatestemplates. .

You will also need to enlist volunteers to sell You will also need to enlist volunteers to sell tickets. tickets.

Ticket sales should begin about 2 weeks prior to Ticket sales should begin about 2 weeks prior to the event. Sales should continue on the day of the event. Sales should continue on the day of the event, with the raffle to be held near the the event, with the raffle to be held near the event’s closing.event’s closing.

PreparationPreparation

Raffle tickets normally sell for $1 a piece, Raffle tickets normally sell for $1 a piece, with an incentive for multiple purchases with an incentive for multiple purchases such as 3 tickets for $2, or 5 tickets for $4, such as 3 tickets for $2, or 5 tickets for $4, etc.   Using a price incentive for multiple etc.   Using a price incentive for multiple tickets can often increase your total sales tickets can often increase your total sales and builds a larger 'pot' to split with the and builds a larger 'pot' to split with the lucky winner.  lucky winner.  

For more upper-scale events, you may For more upper-scale events, you may choose to sell $5, $10, or $25 tickets.choose to sell $5, $10, or $25 tickets.

Holding Your RaffleHolding Your Raffle

On the day of the event, all ticket stubs (or On the day of the event, all ticket stubs (or duplicate tickets or numbers, depending duplicate tickets or numbers, depending on your style of raffle tickets) are placed in on your style of raffle tickets) are placed in a hat or other container from which one a hat or other container from which one lucky number is drawn.lucky number is drawn.

The 'take' is tallied and one-half awarded The 'take' is tallied and one-half awarded to the holder of the lucky number.to the holder of the lucky number.

Holding Your RaffleHolding Your Raffle

At a large function, with a sizeable pool of At a large function, with a sizeable pool of money expected, the 50 percent prize money money expected, the 50 percent prize money could be divided up, and multiple prizes of could be divided up, and multiple prizes of perhaps $100 or more could be awarded. perhaps $100 or more could be awarded. 

Whatever the prize split, it should be determined Whatever the prize split, it should be determined ahead of time and used as a sales incentive. ahead of time and used as a sales incentive. (i.e. "Buy a $1 ticket and get 5 chances to win (i.e. "Buy a $1 ticket and get 5 chances to win $100). $100).

You can also consider different splits such as You can also consider different splits such as 60-40, 70-30 split, etc.60-40, 70-30 split, etc.

Just a Note:Just a Note:

A raffle may not be suitable for everyone. In the A raffle may not be suitable for everyone. In the United States raffle laws vary considerably by United States raffle laws vary considerably by state. Determine the legality of your potential state. Determine the legality of your potential fund raiser and that no local or state ordinances fund raiser and that no local or state ordinances that deal with raffles, are being violated. Do a that deal with raffles, are being violated. Do a little Internet research to find out if there are any little Internet research to find out if there are any restrictions in your area. Check with other restrictions in your area. Check with other organizations in your area. Some institutions organizations in your area. Some institutions may even have their own rules concerning fund may even have their own rules concerning fund raisers. raisers.

And Remember….And Remember….

The more tickets you sell, the more money The more tickets you sell, the more money you make to support your cause!you make to support your cause!

Good Luck!Good Luck!