DesertRose
Safari Chick & Supporting Sponsor
Hi all - I am having some issues related to setting up a raffle for our African Conservation Fund, and thought where else could I get some really great, smart feedback than Expedition Portal?
So here's the deal. A wonderful expedition equipment company has chosen to donate to us one of their amazing products - a very high value piece of equipment (don't want to blow the surprise or launch yet here, so apologies for the cryptic nature of this). The idea is we have 7 or so months to spend promoting the raffle and then draw a lucky winner at the end, preferably at a cool event.
Normally an organization operates in just one state, and to hold a raffle all you have to do is register with your Attorney General in your state and you're good to go. (The Feds are also fine with it, as long as its "in the course of raising funds to support our activities".)
But we want to offer tickets at events in many states, as well as online.
And herein lies the rub. If tickets are sold, it's considered a game of chance - period. It falls under Gaming laws in the states. You're "giving up something of value" (money) "for a chance to win something" (a prize). Every state has pretty strict rules about raffles, and to sell tickets you have to register with every state Attorney General.
This is actually impossible - I called 8 western states, and every one requires us to have an office in that state, be incorporated in that state, and have operated 3-5 years there before we can hold a raffle.
In half a dozen states nationwide (including Utah - think Moab and evnts here) any raffle is downright ILLEGAL.
So how do I hold a raffle!!!???
So I'd like to run my idea for a solution by you, and get your feedback.
- To be legal in any state, we can hold a raffle but the tickets would need to be offered for a suggested donation. We would have to make free tickets available to people who asked.
- To make it fair, we thought we'd put a cap of say 2000 tickets, and offer only one ticket per person, for $25. That would help cushion the donation aspect, I hope, and keep someone from getting 100 free tickets.
What do you think:
Thanks for any and all feedback - I'm really in a dilemma here.
So here's the deal. A wonderful expedition equipment company has chosen to donate to us one of their amazing products - a very high value piece of equipment (don't want to blow the surprise or launch yet here, so apologies for the cryptic nature of this). The idea is we have 7 or so months to spend promoting the raffle and then draw a lucky winner at the end, preferably at a cool event.
Normally an organization operates in just one state, and to hold a raffle all you have to do is register with your Attorney General in your state and you're good to go. (The Feds are also fine with it, as long as its "in the course of raising funds to support our activities".)
But we want to offer tickets at events in many states, as well as online.
And herein lies the rub. If tickets are sold, it's considered a game of chance - period. It falls under Gaming laws in the states. You're "giving up something of value" (money) "for a chance to win something" (a prize). Every state has pretty strict rules about raffles, and to sell tickets you have to register with every state Attorney General.
This is actually impossible - I called 8 western states, and every one requires us to have an office in that state, be incorporated in that state, and have operated 3-5 years there before we can hold a raffle.
In half a dozen states nationwide (including Utah - think Moab and evnts here) any raffle is downright ILLEGAL.
So how do I hold a raffle!!!???
So I'd like to run my idea for a solution by you, and get your feedback.
- To be legal in any state, we can hold a raffle but the tickets would need to be offered for a suggested donation. We would have to make free tickets available to people who asked.
- To make it fair, we thought we'd put a cap of say 2000 tickets, and offer only one ticket per person, for $25. That would help cushion the donation aspect, I hope, and keep someone from getting 100 free tickets.
What do you think:
- Of the suggested donation amount of the ticket - $25? (This is a very high value, very-very-very desirable product that is much coveted by overlanders; it is not a vehicle.)
- Would you be tempted to get the free ticket, even though it's a fundraiser?
- Would you be more inclined to give the donation if we brought in a partner that had 'local' connections, like a reputable 4WD association?
- How many people do you think would snag a free ticket (am I risking our fundraiser here)?
- Would you be happier if during the course of the raffle, we also gave away one item per month - smaller value items - and you'd still be in the running for the big toy?
- Would you be tempted to get the free ticket, even though it's a fundraiser?
- Would you be more inclined to give the donation if we brought in a partner that had 'local' connections, like a reputable 4WD association?
- How many people do you think would snag a free ticket (am I risking our fundraiser here)?
- Would you be happier if during the course of the raffle, we also gave away one item per month - smaller value items - and you'd still be in the running for the big toy?
Thanks for any and all feedback - I'm really in a dilemma here.
