This raffle ticket seller is organized and ready to go. This hat makes it easier to find her once the room is filled with guests. Her apron has pens, stick‐on stars and pre‐torn raffle tickets.

Raffles Riches

A raffle is a game of chance and may be regulated by a gambling commission and a

license may be required along with a filing fee. Visit your local government website

and search the word “raffle” for legal rules and guidelines.

A raffle can be included at any gathering of people and a charity auction is the ideal

arena to offer one or more raffles. It is my opinion that every auction should include

the Early Bird Raffle and End of the Night Raffle. Beyond raising money, these two

raffles encourage people to arrive early and stay late, both important to a well timed

auction and an efficient check out. The Early Bird Raffle primary purpose is to draw

guests to the venue the minute the doors open and The End of the Night Raffle holds

the audience in the main live auction arena after the live auction has ended. Both are

excellent for moving inventory, attracting sponsors and donors, creating winners and

engaging the audience in participating fully with the auction.

Early Bird Raffle

The Early Bird Raffle is designed to entice guests to

arrive at the auction the minute the doors open to begin

placing bids in the silent auction, playing auction games

and previewing live auction items. Think of the Early Bird

Raffle hour like a VIP reception. Everyone who arrives

during the Early Bird Hour is given a FREE raffle ticket

and treated to complimentary champagne, hordevores

and door prizes. The Early Bird Raffle will increase

revenue and participation in the silent auction, raffle and

fundraising games. Begin promoting the Early Bird Raffle

in the auction newsletter, on the website and include a

mention in the invitation-especially if an advertiser is on

board. Prizes should be promoted once they are chosen

or when a corporate or individual sponsor has signed on.

This seller, working alone, uses a simple ice bucket found at JoAnn fabrics to put her sold tickets in. It is much easier to sell tickets with two people. Use this blank space on the back of the clip board to list the raffle prizes in big type. Stick a foil star on the name tab showing these guest bought their tickets. 

These sellers are fun and love talking to people. They are ready to go with pre‐torn lengths of tickets.

The Early Bird Raffle is a highly visible

sponsorship segment and attractive to

business donors. An advertising fee can

be charged along with a request for a

prize. The prize(s) need to fit the

interests and demographic

characteristics of your audience. In

some cases the prize may be a product

from the sponsoring business. If the

sponsoring business does not have a

tangible product or travel adventure,

then one must be acquired either from

the advertising fee or in addition to the advertising fee. The prize can be designated

from items already procured. The prize does not need to be a high valued item. It is

more important that the prize has broad appeal like a gift card to a grocery store or

petrol company. Your job is to promote the heck out of the sponsor and prizes well in

advance of the auction. Consider offering the sponsor the opportunity to create the

Early Bird Raffle display using their own resources for design, materials and signage.

Ask them to send 2 volunteers to give out the tickets and schmooze with the guests.

Invite the company representative on stage to draw the ticket. The auctioneer and

master of ceremonies will refer to the sponsors repeatedly throughout the silent

auction timeline and

during the drawing

of the ticket. As you

can see, the overall

exposure is

tremendous.

How To do the Early Bird Raffle

The Early Bird Raffle is active the first hour of the event only. Two volunteers stand

at the Early Bird Hour display table with a roll of raffle tickets. The volunteer writes

the guest’s bid number on the back of both tickets. One ticket is placed in the bowl

and the other is given back to the guest for safe keeping. The ticket is drawn after

the guests are seated and at the beginning of the dinner hour.

The Early Bird Raffle Process and Procedure

1. Purchase standard two-part raffle tickets.

2. Acquire ticket container and mark “Early Bird Raffle” on outside of container.

3. Create a sign welcoming guests and announcing prize(s).

4. Drape a table large enough to accommodate the signage.

5. Drape and position the complimentary beverage table.

6. Position both tables near the entrance to the silent auction arena.

7. Position 2 volunteers at the raffle table.

8. Catering staff will maintain the complimentary beverages.

9. Prepare raffle tickets by tearing the tickets into one pair of tickets and

stacking them.

10. As guests arrive grab one pair of tickets and right the guests’ bid number on

both tickets.

11. Tear apart and give one to the guest and place one in the bowl.

12. At the end of the hour, remove the raffle tickets and bowl from display.

13. Give remaining tickets to clerking station.

14. Take Early Bird Raffle bowl to stage and give to the auctioneer or master of

ceremonies.

15. Invite sponsor to stage.

16. Draw ticket and announce winner.

17. Call winner to stage and let sponsor award prize(s).

18. If raffle is sponsored create a sign for the sponsor

19. It is okay to offer several prizes to multiple winners.

End of the Night Raffle

The End of the Night Raffle is often promoted that “You must be present to win”. The

key to this raffle’s success is waiting with anticipation to see who wins the prize(s).

Choose a Grand Prize with broad appeal to drive ticket sales. Consider offering more

than one prize. More prizes increase sales and create more winners. More winners

take more time to draw and announce. Ideally we want to keep the audience in their

seats while the clerking staff enters the final bids and catches up after the Paddle

Raise. For this reason, I recommend that the tickets are sold only at the venue on

the night of the auction.

The prize and the procedure used to

sell raffle tickets will impact raffle

ticket sales. The prize needs to have

broad appeal, tickets need to be

easy to locate and buy and as tickets

are sold, buyers need to be identified

by a wearable novelty.

Let’s begin with the prize(s). The

desirability of the raffle prize drives

ticket sales and the possibility of

winning pins buyers to their seats

until the winning ticket is drawn and

the winner revealed. Offering

multiple opportunities to win a prize

will increase both ticket sales and

staying power and can even help

move unplanned inventory. As an

example the Grand Prize could be a

stay at a nearby resort along with 10 more prizes that consist of props from the

auction, unopened wines, extra desserts from the dessert dash and last minute

donations. The inclusion of many possible winners creates palpable excitement as

well.

Ticket Sellers working in pairs can sell more tickets in less time. Guests should be bidding and playing other auction games and not waiting in line to buy raffle tickets. 

The items need not equal the value of expected ticket sales. As an example, if the

latest and greatest 60 inch television - valued at $4200 may create more profits if

placed as a raffle prize. Review the historical data from previous auctions and if the

highest amount ever bid during the live auction was $1000, then using the television

as the Grand prize for the raffle would certainly drive ticket sales and keep the

audience in their seat until the end of the night and likely raise more money than

positioning the TV as a live item.

The price of the raffle ticket does not have to reflect the value of the prize either.

The price of the End of the Night raffle ticket should be at a level that most people at

your auction are willing to spend so that

nearly every single person easily buys

one or more raffle tickets. This raffle

should feel inclusive and fun.

Remember the end of the night raffle

premise is keeping the guest involved

with the live auction timeline until the

last item is sold, resulting in the

possibility of more bidding activity after

the Paddle Raise. Tickets can be sold 1

at a time, 2 or more for a price or by

the yard - the length of the buyer’s arm

- by height, etc. It takes more time to

manage multiple ticket purchases and

for that reason I prefer to limit the

number of tickets sold to no more than

2 per fee. As an example, 2 tickets for

$5 or more.

All raffle sales are enhanced by an

attractive informative display that acts

as a Raffle Station or base of operations

when the traveling ticket sellers are moving about the venue. Create a display that

showcases the prize or prizes and if there is a sponsoring donor put the name of the

business on all raffle signage. The mere fact that there is a sponsoring donor will

Before the auction, the MC or Auctioneer makes a last call for guests who have not bought a ticket yet. At least 2 teams need to be ready to go so as not to distract from the next activity. 

drive ticket sales, plus it is our duty to give them good placement and visibility. Read

the chapter on signage and displays for guidance.

The ticket sellers will make or break the raffle. This is a perfect job for theatrical,

outgoing and organized volunteers. The ticket sellers become a traveling billboard for

the raffle. The objective is for them to be easily identified from across a crowded

room. Wearing a head piece of some kind and costumes are visual identifiers. Large

feather plumes and an oversize hat with raffle tickets pinned on works well. The

auctioneer or master of ceremonies will be announcing the raffle during the silent

auction and the audience will be seeking them out, so you can see how important it

is for the sellers to stand out.

How To

Basic Raffle Ticket Selling Technique

1. Pair volunteers together in teams of two. One ticket seller records sales the other tracks dispenses tickets.

2. First ticket seller will carry a clip board for recording bid numbers and number

of tickets sales. Place a list of the prizes on the back of the clip board so the seller can easily show the buyer the items they could win.

3. The 2nd ticket seller will carry the tickets and write the buyer’s bid number on both ticket parts and then tear apart the tickets and place one half in a basket and give the other to the purchaser for safe keeping.

4. Give the buyer a wearable token easily recognized by the sellers. It is critical to continued raffle sales to identify buyers so that the sellers do not continue to approach those guests. As the evening progresses, the sellers cannot remember who they sold too and guests begin to feel badgered by repeated requests to buy tickets. At some point the sellers stop selling tickets because they feel awkward and embarrassed by the increase in “No thank yous”. This little trick is worth the effort and modest expense.

5. As the tally sheets fill up, they are turned in to the clerks so they can be entered into the computer. Make plans for one pair of raffle sellers per 75 people.

6. If the event procedures are running smooth and the clerk staff is caught up, consider selling tickets during dinner until it’s time for the live auction.

Raffle Novelties are easily found online. Flashing buttons of all types with magnetic

backs at hundreds of on-line stores or something as inexpensive as a gold star

placed on your guests name tags works well and homemade or purchased

medallions, bracelets and pins are fun too. Consider incorporating the theme into the

novelty and the sponsor’s logo as well.

The End of the Night Raffle Process and Procedure

1. Purchase cheap or create fancy two-part raffle tickets. 2. Acquire ticket container and mark End of the Night Raffle on outside of

container. Include the sponsors name when applicable. 3. Create a sign End of the Night Raffle and announcing prize(s). 4. Place a sheet listing the prizes on the back of a full size clip board. 5. Place a tally sheet on the front of the clip board with a pen. 6. Assign one clipboard to each sales team. 7. Create raffle ticket seller costume and headpiece for visual identification. 8. Prepare raffle tickets. 9. Acquire a container with a handle. Avoid real basket material as reed and

cane will snag fine clothing. 10. Establish a Raffle Station and drape a table large enough to accommodate the

signage. 11. Position the raffle table in the traffic pattern of the silent auction. 12. Position 2 volunteers at the End of the Night Raffle Station and volunteer

teams in the Silent Auction arena. 13. Sell tickets and give one part to the buyer and place the other in the basket. 14. At the appointed time combine all the tickets into the Raffle Station basket. 15. Give remaining tickets to clerking station. 16. Take the End of The Night Raffle basket at the appointed time to the stage

Guests who arrive during the Early Bird Hour receive pre‐poured complimentary beverages like champagne, cosmos, martinis or wines as part of the VIP treatment.   A more costly alternative is to offer complimentary drinks at the bar for one hour. Besides the added expense long lines at the bar mean that people are not bidding and playing the auction games.   Pre‐poured beverages can be part of a sponsored package either by the beverage company or event sponsor. 

This Early Bird Hour was co sponsored by a radio station and a beverage company. The display exudes outdoor summer fun while listening to the radio. 

and give to the auctioneer or master of ceremonies. 17. Invite sponsor to stage. 18. Draw ticket(s) and announce winner(s). 19. Call winner to stage and let sponsor award prize(s).

The tally sheet and raffle tickets represent uncollected cash. This may be the only reference for recording the transactions, collecting the money and reconciling post auction. Write legibly with a medium tip so the bid number is easy to read. Once the numbers have been entered from the tally sheet write the words End of the Night Raffle on a sticky note and place the sticky on the tally sheet and then place the tally sheet in the reconciliation tray. Do not put the forms in an envelope and seal the envelope, ever.

The Golden Ticket, The Best of the Live and The Pick of the Live Raffle.

This raffle is appeals to guests who have the money to buy a higher priced ticket.

Plays are limited and the ticket price is set at a premium. As a grand prize, only one

winner is offered a choice of any of the live auction items. By limiting the ticket sales

odds are favored to the players and the prize

is selected from the best items up for bid.

The game is played until all the tickets are

sold and the winning ticket is drawn at the

beginning of the live auction.

The formula for this raffle requires thoughtful

consideration of historical bidding and buying

activity from past auctions. It is important to

be familiar with invited and registered guests

for the current auction and determine if how

many guests are willing to spend $100 per

ticket or $50 per ticket. The goal is to raise

double the value of the highest valued item

offered in the live auction. Keep in mind this

is just a suggestion. You can sell as few as

10 tickets and as many as 200 depending on

the size and buying power of the audience.

The ticket price can be as low as $10 and as high as $1000. The price of the ticket

and the limit to the tickets should be customized to your buying audience and meet

the gambling commission regulations governing raffles.

Raising double the value of the highest priced live auction item does not always have

to be the goal. It is not uncommon for my clients to procure items valued far beyond

the buying power of their respective audiences. In fact, it is understood that some

live auction items never reach the fair market value. However, most live auction

items are procured with the idea of meeting or exceeding fair market value and when

the formula for the Pick of the Live Raffle is carefully calculated, it often raises more

money than any other activity during the live auction with the exception of the

Paddle Raise.

This raffle does not drive ticket sales or serve any purpose beyond raising money so

the decision to hold the Pick of the Live Raffle can be made a week before the

auction if necessary. Often class projects or consigned items are excluded from the

prize lineup. Keep in mind that every time a detailed explanation is required or an

exception is declared, someone will be turned off to buying a chance.

How To

See above Basic Raffle Ticket Selling Technique.

Create a display of the live auction items if you plan on doing this raffle. This

prepares ticket holders to start thinking about what live auction item they will choose

if they are the winner. I am amazed at how often the winner is completely

unprepared for selecting a prize. It is helpful to create a slide for the Power Point

presentation listing the live auction items and keep it on screen for most of the time

leading up to the moment of the draw. Valuable live auction minutes can be lost if

this process is delayed. Sometimes private schools will exempt class projects from

the prizes. Another method is to calculate the amount raised by the raffle and only

allow the winner the right to choose from that select list. I do not recommend this

option. The winner and the audience will be confused and at the last minute, the

raffle suddenly can feel unfair. I prefer that all live auction items be included with the

occasional exception of one item or class projects.

Assign one pair of raffle sellers per 75 people. Use the raffle seller techniques

described in the End of the Night Raffle. Begin selling tickets as soon as the doors

open and continue to sell tickets until all chances are sold. Once the guests are

seated for dinner, any unsold tickets can be offered before the live auction begins.

The master of ceremonies or auctioneer will continue to invite the audience to buy a

ticket as the ticket sellers will wander through the seated guests. At some point

before the program begins, stop selling the tickets and draw the winner. If all of the

tickets do not sell, then an adjustment should be made to the sales formula for next

year.

The Pick of the Live ticket can be drawn by the master of ceremonies

before the auctioneer is called to stage or by the auctioneer before the

first item is sold. The winner is announced and then invited to the

stage to choose a prize from the live auction lineup. Make sure that

the selected item’s description is read as it would have been read

during the auction had it been sold as shown in the catalog. This will

honor the donor before the entire audience. You would be surprised at

how often auctioneers and masters of ceremonies move on before

giving the donor the huge amount of recognition they deserve. When

donations are handled properly, often the donor will offer a matching

package back to be auctioned. Sometimes even the winner will donate

the package back at the time during the live auction it would normally

have been sold. Don’t pass over these moments. Give the donors and

winners their moment in the sun. I’ve witnessed many standing

ovations and heartfelt tears when these spontaneous gifts are given.

The Process and Procedure

1. Create fancy two-part raffle tickets.

2. Acquire ticket container and mark Pick of the Live on outside of container.

Include the sponsors name when applicable.

3. Create a sign Pick of the Live with a listing of all eligible live auction items.

4. Place a sheet listing the live auction items on the back of a full size clip board.

5. Place a tally sheet on the front of the clip board with a pen.

6. Assign one clipboard to each sales team.

7. Create raffle ticket seller costume and headpiece for visual identification.

8. Prepare raffle tickets.

9. Acquire a handled container. Avoid real basket material as reed and cane will

snag fine clothing.

10. Position 2 volunteers in front of the Pick of the Live sign and send volunteer

ticket seller teams in the Silent Auction arena.

11. Sell tickets and give one part to the buyer and place the other in the basket.

12. At the appointed time combine all the tickets into the Pick of the Live basket.

13. Give remaining tickets to clerking station.

14. Take the Pick of the Live basket to the stage before live auction begins and

give to the auctioneer or master of ceremonies.

15. Invite auction chair to the stage or sponsor when applicable.

16. Draw ticket and announce winner.

17. Call winner to stage and invite them to choose item.

The tally sheet and raffle tickets represent uncollected cash. This may

be the only reference for recording the transactions, collecting the

money and reconciling post auction. Do not throw away the

corresponding ticket stubs. After the numbers have been entered from

the tally sheet write the words Pick of the Live on a sticky note and

place on the tally sheet and then place the tally sheet in the

reconciliation tray. Do not put the forms in an envelope and seal the

envelope, ever.

April Brown is an 18 year veteran auctioneer and specializes in fundraising auctions. She is also the founder and Director of Whisker City, a feline rescue organization located in Shoreline, Washington. Brown also hosts April Brown’s Charity Auction World, the only internet television show designed to showcase the world of charity auctions. She is the author of Money is Marvelous and The Foundation - Secrets to A Successful Charity Auction. April has a long history of dramatically increasing revenue for charities with a goal of $30,000 to $500,000 and higher. The Auction Powerhouse Training Method has helped thousands of volunteer and professional fundraisers attract new donors, develop profitable demographic and put together memorable auctions. Brown’s innovative strategies and concepts are used by auctioneers, development officers and volunteers throughout North America. She is a skilled auctioneer and combines her passion for business and love for charity by training others to do great things. April’s clients include private and public schools, hospital foundations and guilds, business and community service organizations and individuals