Running an online raffle might sound like a big project, but it doesn’t have to be.
Whether you’re with a nonprofit looking to raise more money or just exploring creative ways to engage your community, raffles are a fun and effective tool. With the right setup, they can bring in donations, boost awareness, and even grow your supporter base. And the best part? You don’t need to be a tech wizard to make it happen.
At Harness, we’ve helped organizations run hundreds of successful raffles. We’ve seen what works (and what doesn’t), and we know how to make the process smooth, legal, and surprisingly easy. So if you're wondering where to start, what steps to take, and how to make your raffle stand out, this guide is for you.
Looking for a simpler way to launch your raffle? Harness helps you build, promote, and manage raffles all in one place, so you can focus on your mission, not the logistics.
Understand the legality of online raffles
Before you start selling tickets or picking prizes, take a pause. One of the most important, and most overlooked, parts of running an online raffle is making sure it’s legal. Every state (and many countries) has its own rules about what’s allowed, who can run a raffle, and what paperwork needs to be filed.
If you’re a nonprofit, you might need a special license or permit to host a raffle online. Some places only allow raffles for charitable purposes. Others have rules about how the money can be used, how the drawing must be done, or even how tickets can be promoted.
Here’s the good news: this step isn’t as scary as it sounds. Many nonprofits have gone through it before, and once you understand the rules for your location, the rest becomes much easier. If you’re not sure where to begin, start by searching “[your state] + nonprofit raffle rules.” You can also talk to a local attorney or reach out to your state’s gaming or charitable licensing office.
We always tell partners this, taking care of the legal stuff early saves a lot of trouble later. It keeps your organization protected and helps you build trust with donors.
Choose the right raffle platform
Now that you’ve got the legal side sorted out, it’s time to pick the platform that’s going to power your raffle. This part matters more than people think. A good raffle platform doesn’t just help you sell tickets, it makes the entire process smoother for you and your supporters.
Look for a platform that’s user friendly. That means it should be easy to set up your raffle, manage ticket sales, and keep track of everything in one place. It should also work well on phones and tablets, since that’s how many people will be buying tickets.
You’ll also want features like:
- Secure payment processing
- Automatic ticket delivery
- Customizable pages that match your nonprofit’s branding
- Real-time reporting so you can see how things are going
If you're running the raffle with a small team (or you're the whole team), full-service support can be a lifesaver. A platform gives nonprofits everything they need in one place, from campaign setup to donor follow-up, so they don’t have to juggle five different tools.
Picking the right platform upfront saves time, avoids tech headaches, and helps your raffle run like a pro event, even if it’s your first time doing one.
Plan your online raffle campaign
A great raffle doesn’t just happen. It takes a little planning, and trust us, the time you spend up front makes everything easier later. Start by asking yourself a few simple questions: What’s your goal? Who are you trying to reach? How long do you want the raffle to run?
Your goal could be to raise a certain amount of money, grow your email list, or bring in new supporters. Get specific. Instead of “raise funds,” try “raise $5,000 to support summer programs.” That kind of clarity helps shape everything else, your ticket price, your prizes, and your messaging.
Next, think about your audience. Are they parents in your school community? Alumni from your university? Loyal donors? Knowing who you’re talking to helps you choose prizes and promotions that actually get their attention.
Finally, set a timeline. Give yourself enough time to build out the raffle page, promote it, and keep the energy going. Most raffles run for 2 to 4 weeks, long enough to build momentum, but short enough to keep urgency high.
We’ve worked with a lot of nonprofits who rush this step, and it almost always shows. A little strategy now means fewer surprises, and better results, later.
Set ticket pricing and structure
Pricing your raffle tickets might feel like a guessing game, but there’s a strategy to it. The right price can help you hit your fundraising goal, attract more participants, and even increase the average gift.
Start by thinking about your audience and your goal. If your goal is $5,000, and you expect around 250 people to buy tickets, you’ll need an average ticket price of about $20. But you don’t have to stick with one price. Many raffles offer bundles like 1 ticket for $10, 3 for $25, or 10 for $50. Bundles give supporters more value and often encourage bigger purchases.
You can also offer early-bird pricing to get things moving in the first few days, or create VIP ticket levels that come with extra perks (like bonus entries or exclusive updates). Just make sure it’s simple, if someone has to stop and do math, you’ll lose them.
And one tip from experience: create urgency. Let folks know the raffle is time-limited, or that tickets are capped. People act faster when they feel like they might miss out.
The way you set ticket prices and structure matters, it’s one of the biggest levers you have to meet your goal.
Source and choose attractive prizes
Prizes are what get people excited about your raffle. They’re the hook. But you don’t need to break the bank to offer something great, what matters most is that the prize feels valuable to your audience.
Start by thinking about what would actually excite the people you’re trying to reach. For some, that might be a new tech gadget. For others, it could be a weekend getaway, a local restaurant gift card, or a basket of goodies from community businesses. Experiences, like concert tickets, private tours, or a “day with the team” kind of prize, often get a lot of attention because they feel special and exclusive.
You don’t always have to buy your prizes either. Ask local businesses to donate. Many are happy to help, especially when they get a shout-out or some visibility in return. Just make the ask clear and easy, tell them what the raffle supports and how their gift helps.
One more thing: how you present the prize matters. Use photos, write clear descriptions, and highlight the value. When people can see themselves winning, they’re more likely to jump in.
The right prize doesn’t just attract more entries, it also shows your supporters that you’ve put care into making the raffle something fun and worth their time.
Build your online raffle page
Your raffle page is where everything happens. It’s where people decide to buy a ticket, or not. That’s why it needs to be clear, inviting, and easy to use. Think of it as your virtual storefront.
Start with a headline that tells people exactly what they’re entering to win. Add a short sentence about why the raffle matters, what it supports and why their ticket makes a difference. From there, include strong visuals. A photo of the prize goes a long way, and if you’ve got multiple prizes, list them out with short, snappy descriptions.
Make sure your ticket options are front and center. Don’t make people hunt for the “buy” button. Keep it simple, mobile-friendly, and easy to navigate. A countdown timer can add urgency, and a progress bar (like “$2,500 of $5,000 raised”) helps people feel like they’re part of something that’s working.
Brand your page with your nonprofit’s look and feel so it feels like a natural extension of your cause. And don’t forget the fine print, include basic rules, deadlines, and contact info in case people have questions.
A polished raffle page can double or even triple results. It doesn’t need to be fancy, it just needs to be clear, easy, and inspiring.
Promote your raffle across multiple channels
You could have the best raffle in the world, but if no one knows about it, it won’t go anywhere. Promotion is where your raffle gets real. The good news? You don’t need a big marketing team to get the word out. You just need a plan.
Start with your existing channels. Send an email to your supporters. Post on social media, more than once. Share it in your newsletter. If you have text messaging tools, use them to send reminders. Keep your message short, clear, and focused on the prize and the cause.
Don’t stop there. Ask your board, volunteers, and biggest fans to share the raffle with their networks. The more people who hear about it, the better. And if you’ve got a sponsor or prize donor, give them a shout-out and encourage them to spread the word too.
We always recommend creating a simple calendar with key promo dates, like launch day, halfway point, and last chance reminders. Each post doesn’t need to be brand-new. Just tweak the message slightly and keep showing up.
Raffles take off when they use layered promotion. One email won’t do it, but a steady stream of messages across your channels will.
Sell raffle tickets securely and efficiently
Once people are ready to buy, your job is to make the process quick, easy, and secure. If anything feels confusing or takes too many steps, you risk losing them right at the finish line.
Make sure your raffle platform offers trusted payment options, credit cards, debit cards, and mobile wallets like Apple Pay or Google Pay. The fewer barriers, the better. And it should all happen on one clean, mobile-friendly page without forcing someone to jump through hoops.
After purchase, send an automatic confirmation. It reassures the donor that everything went through and gives them a record of their ticket. A quick thank-you message also goes a long way, it’s a small touch that builds connection.
On the back end, your team should be able to track sales in real time. You’ll want to know what’s working, where tickets are coming from, and whether you’re close to hitting your goal. If you’re using a platform like Harness, all of this is built in, so you’re not copying data into spreadsheets or wondering who bought what.
Selling tickets should feel smooth for everyone. When it does, your supporters stay focused on the fun of the raffle, and the impact they’re making.
Monitor performance and optimize your campaign
Once your raffle is live, don’t just set it and forget it. Keep an eye on how things are going. Watching performance in real time gives you the chance to make small changes that can lead to big results.
Start by checking ticket sales daily. Are people buying early on, or is it slower than expected? If things are quiet, that’s your sign to send another email or post on social. Maybe you highlight a prize again or remind folks that time is running out.
Look at where your traffic is coming from. If most of your clicks are from Facebook but no one's buying, your post might need a clearer call to action. If your emails are performing well, maybe double down with a second reminder.
You can also test small changes. Try tweaking your subject line. Switch out a photo. Move the buy button higher on your page. None of this has to be complicated, it’s just about paying attention and making smart moves along the way.
With a platform, you’ll see all your metrics in one place. That makes it easier to spot trends and act fast. And when you stay active during your campaign, you give your raffle the best shot at reaching (or beating) your goal.
Draw winners and close the raffle
When your raffle ends, it’s time for the moment everyone’s been waiting for: picking the winner. But before you announce anything, make sure you’ve closed ticket sales and documented the total raised. This is a good time to double-check your records and make sure all entries were counted.
For the draw itself, transparency matters. Use a random name picker, a third-party tool, or a raffle feature built into your platform. If possible, record the drawing or livestream it, especially if your audience is local or already engaged on social media. It builds trust and adds a bit of excitement.
Once you’ve drawn the winner, reach out to them directly before announcing anything publicly. Make sure they accept the prize and confirm any delivery details. Then, go ahead and share the news across your channels, email, social, your website. Make it feel like a celebration.
And don’t forget: everyone who entered should hear from you, even if they didn’t win. A thank-you message that highlights how much was raised and what impact it will make shows appreciation and keeps supporters connected for next time.
Ending strong helps you leave a great impression, and sets the stage for your next campaign.
Post-raffle engagement and reporting
Just because the raffle is over doesn’t mean the work is done. In fact, this is one of the most important parts of the whole process, following up. How you wrap things up will shape how people feel about your organization and whether they’ll support you again.
Start with a thank-you. Send an email to everyone who bought a ticket. Keep it warm, personal, and short. Let them know how much was raised and what those funds will support. If you can, share a photo or quick update that shows their impact in action.
Next, reach out to any businesses or sponsors who donated prizes. Publicly thank them on social media, tag their accounts, and let them know how their support made a difference. It’s a great way to build partnerships for future events.
If your platform offers reporting tools, now’s the time to dig in. Look at what worked, where most of your ticket sales came from, what messages drove the most clicks, and who your top supporters were. This info is gold for planning your next campaign.
And finally, if your state or country requires raffle reporting, make sure you submit any final paperwork or documentation. It’s one more step that helps you stay compliant and keeps the door open for future raffles.
The goal here isn’t just to end the raffle, it’s to keep building momentum, trust, and community.
Online raffles, made simple
An online raffle can do more than raise money, it can bring people together, build excitement around your cause, and introduce your nonprofit to new supporters. And the best part? It doesn’t have to be complicated.
When you take the time to plan your campaign, choose the right platform, promote it well, and close it out with care, you’ll set yourself up for a successful experience from start to finish. The key is staying focused on your goal, your audience, and the little details that help everything run smoothly.
We’ve seen this work time and time again with the nonprofits we partner with. Whether it’s your first raffle or your fifth, the right tools and a little guidance make all the difference.
Want help running a professional, low-stress raffle? Harness gives you everything you need to launch, manage, and track your online raffle, all in one place. Let’s make your next campaign the easiest one yet.
