Raffles!
Animal Life Savers in New Jersey sponsors raffles that are fun, inexpensive and a lively way to raise money and awareness for its services… in a good year we've raised around $15,000! Occasionally, we've partnered with a retailer to help sell the tickets. We raised over $2,500 at that event alone.
So, if all of you dedicated animal angels out there haven't sponsored one yet, you might find it's great for raising money and advertising what your own agency does for animals in need in your community.
Here are some great tips for a raffle:
1) First, play by the rules: all animal welfare groups should check online to see what laws regulating raffles and raffle ticket sales exist where they will be selling the tickets. They are usually administered by state and county governments. Apply in advance, as this may take some time.
2) Once you have the license to raise money, it's easy: Tickets can be sold at any event including adoptions, local holiday gift markets or participating local businesses, such as a pet store or a veterinary clinics. Next, price your tickets affordably ($5.00 each, for example, but naturally your organization can choose its own amount). Next, if you have one, use a mailing list of donors and adopters to increase awareness of the raffle. If you have volunteers, they can start selling the tickets a few months before the drawing that you can advertise on social media.
3) In a 50/50 raffle, the winner gets half the proceeds of the raffle. In most cases, the winner might donate some of the winnings back to the organization. The money we raise goes to TNR efforts in the local community and to help sick or injured animals get care at a vet. In a "tricky tray" raffle, which is a bit like a raffle and an auction combined, prizes have a separate ticket bucket. This breaks up entrants for each prize, increasing the odds of winning. Please look this up online, as it's simple to do but more complex to explain.
Besides the money raised, as noted earlier, raffles let a big part of your community know about the need for animal rescue services in your community and the fine work that your organization does.
And, besides, it's fun!
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Peter Pagano
Volunteer Fundraiser
Animal Life Savers
NJ
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