A charity raffle is a simple fundraising strategy where donors buy numbered tickets for a chance to win prizes. Donors typically purchase tickets before the event, and winners are drawn entirely at random.

Raffles have traditionally taken place in-person but are increasingly hosted online or at hybrid events, offering more flexibility for donors and nonprofits. With an element of chance and surprise, raffles are a fun yet effective way to raise more money at your fundraiser event. 

NOTE: Raffle legislation and licensing requirements vary across the United States and Canada. Be sure to seek counsel from a legal professional before proceeding with your event. 

There’s a reason raffles are such a popular option at benefit events and remain a firm favorite for fueling fundraising success: 

• From a proceeds perspective, raffles raise more funds for charity than traditional silent auctions. An added advantage? Everyone who buys a ticket contributes to your cause, regardless of whether they win. 
• By spreading the cost of prize items across many donors, raffle ticket sales easily generate enough revenue to cover big-ticket items that draw donors in. It’s a win-win: you reach your fundraising targets and donors get the chance to take home a luxury vacation for the price of a single ticket. 
• Raffles provide valuable revenue streams for benefit auctions of all sizes. A prize draw that might serve as the main source of fundraising at a smaller event can also work to warm up the crowd before a gala's showstopping live auction.
• While traditional live auctions tend to generate the most funds, there’s a chance that items may not sell. By hosting a raffle, you know exactly how many tickets you need to sell to meet your fundraising goal and just how much revenue the raffle will bring in.

When it comes to sourcing raffle prizes, your nonprofit organization has a few different options:

• Start with your immediate network. Ask staff, volunteers, board members, or even friends and family if they – or someone they know – can contribute raffle prizes to your cause. Your benefit auction sponsors and vendors are also valuable sources for potential contributions. 
• Reach out to local businesses and artisans. Asking for in-kind donations such as raffle gift baskets isn’t just beneficial for you, it offers great publicity to vendors and an opportunity to support your local community. 
• Don't get discouraged if you can’t get all your raffle prizes for free! Take advantage of unique and risk-free consignment items such as luxury auction travel packages.
• A huge benefit of consignment is the ability to select prizes that match your donor profiles. Consignment items for auction can also generate significantly higher fundraising returns – LuxGive luxury travel packages alone generate a 140% raise ratio on average.

Remember, it’s not about how little you spend but how much fundraising revenue you generate. 

Inspiring Raffle Ideas 

With these considerations in mind, we've carefully selected 35 creative and exciting raffle ideas guaranteed to inspire your event planning and help you drive more raffle ticket sales. 

For your convenience, we’ve broken down raffle prize ideas into popular and easy-to-organize categories. Explore our picks for each, or use our lists to inspire your own!  

Raffle gift baskets are immensely popular with donors and a tried-and-true favorite of any benefit fundraiser. Mixed in with larger prizes, our raffle gift basket ideas work to boost donor satisfaction by providing quality goods and more realistic chances to win - and a happier audience means a better chance of engaging donors long-term. 

• Gourmet Foodie Basket - a mouthwatering selection of chocolates, jams, cheeses, nuts, tartines, and more
• Coffee Lover Basket - discover new brews and gourmet snack pairings to savor with each sip 
• Wine Lover Basket - a selection of wines, cheeses, and gourmet goodies to recreate the winery tasting experience
• Spa Day Basket - unwind at home with high-quality bath bombs, candles, facemasks, and body scrubs
• Pet Friends Basket - everything for your fur friends, from treats and toys to grooming certificates or animal hotel stays
• Date Night Basket - romance is in the air with handcrafted truffles, champagne, restaurant gift cards, and more

TIP: Choose raffle baskets that are well-presented and provide quality items. When done right, raffle gift baskets can also be just as elegant and well-received as other prizes.

Nothing gets audiences more excited than luxury getaways, especially when they feature stunning private properties. From beachfront villas with infinity pools to ski-in and ski-out chalets, luxury auction travel packages treat donors like the VIPs they are. 

Be sure to offer a Winner's Choice option! These experiences provide exceptional value by allowing raffle winners to choose where they want to go from a collection of destinations.   

• Beach Getaway - relax by the turquoise waters and white sandy shores of Turks, Barbados, or the Mayan Riviera
• Alpine Escape - stay slopeside in Telluride, Vail, or Breck, and enjoy the great outdoors in any season
• City Stay - discover Europe's rich history, or staycation in the States
• Winner’s Choice - pick from the finest beach or city destinations 

TIP: Pairing auction travel packages with activities such as winery tours or cooking courses increases the value and fundraising potential of raffle prizes. All LuxGive travel packages offer handpicked local experiences, and additional or personalized activities can be added by nonprofits or trip winners alike. 

When it comes to making special moments, nothing beats a night of fine dining and great entertainment. Show donors an unforgettable time and boost raffle ticket sales with this exciting list of prizes: 

• Private Chef Service - invite friends and family for the perfect dinner party experience 
• Gourmet Cooking Class - sample delicious flavors while mastering your culinary technique
• Dinner and Show - hit NYC for a classic broadway show and dinner with a member of the cast
• Shopping Spree/Personal Shopper - pair up with local fashion boutiques to treat your inner chic
• Event Tickets - from the hottest concerts to buzz-worthy art and theater events 

Did you know that adventuring is one of the hottest travel trends? Tap into this fundraising opportunity and excite your audience with irresistible adventure-themed raffle ideas: 

• Helicopter/Hot Air Balloon Ride - admire breathtaking views as you soar over city or countryside
• Patagonia Wonder - Forge a path through the 8th Wonder of the World from your luxury stargazing dome 
• Skydiving - satisfy even the most intense thrill-seekers and cross one off the bucket list
• Ski Season Passes - ski or snowboard as much as you like with season-long slope access
• Camping/National Park Passes - get back to nature in the wilds of Iceland or America's National Parks

From serious sports fans to friends enjoying a fun day out, sports-themed raffle ideas are always a big hit with donors. And don't forget raffle prize ideas that appeal to an active lifestyle! Whatever your audience profile, these ideas are an excellent way to drive up donations: 

• Sports Memorabilia - signed equipment, cards, jerseys, and more for enthusiastic fans and collectors
• Golf Getaway - stay and play in style with luxury private homes and access to championship courses worldwide 
• Season Tickets - a great way to get outdoors and cheer on your favorite team
• Private Sports Clinic - improve your technique with personalized sports instruction
• Gym Membership/Personal Trainer - the perfect motivation to kick off the year healthy
• Fitness Equipment - from pelotons and bike trainers to ellipticals and treadmills

Your donors work hard to support the causes they care about. Help them escape their day-to-day stresses with raffle ideas that promote self-care, relaxation, and a slower pace of life: 

• Spa Day - relax solo or in couple with saunas, thermal baths, and massages
• Winery Tour and Tasting - uncork and unwind as you sample local wines with family or friends
• Wellness Services - enjoy a yearly subscription to apps such as Calm or Headspace
• Yoga Passes - free sessions to help you balance body and mind  

Families make up an important donor demographic, so including prizes that appeal to them is a key way to capitalize on raffle ticket sales. Below you'll find raffle prize ideas that are both functional and tons of fun: 

• Disney Getaway – make unforgettable memories in the most magical destination
• Water or Theme Park Tickets - a fun-filled summer day out for the whole family 
• Home Appliances - revamp your space with a brand-new, high-end washer, fridge, or dryer
• Electronics and Smart Home Devices - from Smart TVs and game consoles to virtual home assistants
• Dream home - the ultimate raffle prize giveaway for one extremely lucky winner 

NOTE: Raffling off a large-ticket item like a dream home takes a great deal of planning but the fundraising rewards can be extraordinary. Ensure you calculate the ticket price and the number of ticket sales needed to cover the cost of the prize and familiarize yourself with any relevant rules and regulations. 

Inspired by Our Raffle Ideas? 

Get a free consultation on over 120 stunning travel packages for auction, including luxury villas, golf getaways, wine tours, and more. Our experiences are always risk-free and our fundraising specialists will help pair the perfect pacakge to your donor profile and event. 

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