“…aside from simply the financial donation at the end, you’re also getting people who are now engaging with the charity, they’ve had a chance to see what this charity does … how much something costs… it’s an engaging way to have a touch point with that customer or supporter…” - Sebastian Hansen
In this episode we speak with Sebastian Hansen about the pros and cons of charities holding their own raffles or getting involved in existing raffles, and why raffles and gaming might be a great option for some charities to raise funds.
We also touch on the ethics, regulations, and challenges of holding raffles and lotteries and what charities should consider when doing so.
1. Considerations around digital raffles
Raffles have been with us for a long-time, but the digital revolution that we are still experiencing offers a new opportunity to charities wanting to raise funds in this way.
There are of course ethical considerations to be made over this, as with many forms of fundraising, and there are regulations that charities need to be aware of, as well as best practice. This makes online raffles and lotteries something of a challenge to charities, especially smaller ones who are unlikely to have the resource to hold a raffle big enough to justify the resource.
2. Why charities are using raffle companies?
This is where raffle companies come in very useful, ensuring regulations are met while also helping to bring in a return for charities, and as Sebastian explained, giving existing and new supporters a new form of giving.
For charities, especially small charities, that have very little resource, a third party who can help to keep the raffle or lottery compliant with legislation and best practice, while helping to engage with supporters, both old and new, through engaging marketing content is very useful.
Things to consider include the types of prizes that would be best work for your audience, and the online presence that the charity has in marketing the raffle or lottery too.
3) Problem gambling and worries around raffles and lotteries
Problem gambling is a problem in society, and it is understandable that some have misgivings and hesitations about any form of gambling. But, with a regulated and low level gaming option like a raffle, and the functionality of online raffles and lotteries to help limit ticket sales, and enforce maximum entries for players, many of these risks are mitigated.
Charities need to consider whether the pros of an online raffle or lottery proposition for their audience, or potential audience outweigh the risks. And if risks are identified, what is the tradeoff between these and being able to raise the funds the charity needs to do to continue supporting their cause.
If charities are going to examine their comfort level with holding a raffle or lottery, it makes sense that they also develop their ethical fundraising policy to include whether they will accept gifts derived from this type of fundraising, e.g. National Lottery, Postcode Community Trust, or a multitude of other game-changing funders.
We hope you enjoy this week’s episode.
Related episodes that you may be interested in:
E113: Digital Risk with Zoe Amar -
E69 Ethical Charities with Gareth Jones - https://www.charitychat.org.uk/post/e-69-ethical-charities-with-gareth-jones
E50 Psychology of Giving with Dr. Kiki Koutmeridou - https://www.charitychat.org.uk/post/e-50-psychology-of-giving-with-dr-kiki-koutmeridou