Given the publics' seemingly bottomless appetite for gambling, I wonder if a raffle (featuring a significant prize of the two or four wheeled variety) would be a viable fundraiser ?

Dave

While I'm not a gambler, I did purchase some raffle tickets on an Ohio Central photo special sponsored by the late David Goodheart on October 11, 2003. As I recall the raffles were sold $1 each or 6 for $5. I purchased the later and ended up winning a cab ride in the former Grand Trunk Western U3b 4-8-4 6325. I don't think I've encountered any raffles at any other excursion operation or museum that I've been to, but that was certainly the best $5 I've ever spent. Even if the chances of winning were slim, I'd purchase raffle tickets again to help support an operation that I support the cause of.

First, better check your state and local laws to be sure fundraising via a raffle is permissable, and if allowed, is there a cap on sales? Our local humane society has not had luck raffling off a 1973 Mercedes Benz convertible, nor $10,000 in cash ($100.00 per chance) over the past two years.

Raffles are better for getting a mailing list than raising cash, IMHO.

At RMEO we have had several fundraising raffles in the past. One had a nicely done painting of our Smiths Falls, Ontario station as first prize, on two other occasions our friendly local shortline, the Ottawa Central Railway, donated cab rides. That won't happen again under CN ownership, although CN certainly helps us in other ways.

These raffles produced far more public relations value than revenue, but I'd have to say they were well worth the effort in both respects. Plenty of goodwill and interest was generated through these efforts, and I'm sure many of the ticket purchasers made donations as well.

As another poster mentioned, be sure you're in accordance with all applicable laws and that you've arranged the required licenses!

In Ontario charities can raise funds through the sale of Nevada tickets. You need to find a retailer who is willing to sell them on your behalf, which can be difficult. Until our sponsor's business burned about ten years ago and he chose to retire rather than rebuild, we were earning about $35,000 annually through Nevada sales. Now, losing that income sure hurt, the hard part is replacing a high volume seller like Durant's.

Steve Hunter
RMEO
Smiths Falls, Ontario

my overall feeling on this is that the raffle ticket must appeal to a large audience. This slims the chances for the winner but as others have posted it would be worth it for a good cause, my feeling on this if its still legal in our state for a Non-Profit, we will need to enlist some community help to move these tickets quickly and responsibly

I.E. our local generous banking institution as well as the assistance for financing the article in the Raffle

I note that raffles appear to be legal in the state of CT., as many volunteer fire departments make use of them. In many cases, the grand prize is a Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

Given the volume of these things seen on local CT roads-might not be a bad way to drive sales outside the railroad constituency ??

DPK

Railfans tend to be very frugal people and won't depart with their money unless the think they're getting good value for it.

That doesn't mean they won't donate to causes and projects they think are worthy and I think the time and energy that would go into coming up with a raffle would be better spent in that arena.

As others have mentioned running things like raffles and bingo games can lead to having to deal with a lot of red tape including not just states, but IRS considerations/ complications.

Bob H

As others have mentioned running things like raffles and bingo games can lead to having to deal with a lot of red tape including not just states, but IRS considerations/ complications.
This statement has a certian amount of truth. My question is why fear it? Red tape goes with everything. I.R.S. or F.R.A. they both have red tape. We learn how to work with the F.R.A. for the railroad and the I.R.S. for the non profit status and with our donations. What is a little more work for a good dependable income?
The comment "railfans and people into preservation are frugel". True enough. A well run regular game of chance type operation does not depend upon that group of customer. It caters to the people that LOVE to gamble. Give then a good run clean honest gane and you will make great money year in year out.
The paper work is not insumountable or even real dificult. In todays age you can buy a computer program to make all your yearly paper work fileing a couple hour task. The laws are set up to make sure you can turn a profit and you HAVE to prove you use it for a non-profit.
Raffles are a quick fix for cash flow. A properly done game of chance can bring in 6 figures (net) a year in BAD economic times.

We visited the Carousel Museum and Firefighters Museums in Bristol, Connecticut last year and they were running a raffle for a Harley Davidson motorcycle. The lady at the desk commented that the ticket sales had been going very well. It is after all a very valuable machine, and if you won the raffle, even if you are not inclined to use it, you could still sell it. I would think that if your state laws allow it this would be an excellent way to raise money.

On the other hand, better efforts at promotion and advertising of events in the preservation industry and hobby that could reach a larger audience in the general public might achieve similar income results as well as attracting new members.

PC

Does your organization have a person associated that is good at these "games"? That person may have little or no interest in trains, but is very good at hustling tickets and getting out in the community. It takes a certain type of person to do that. Someone who may a whiz with airbrakes or welding may be terrible when it comes to selling raffle tickets. Some people really enjoy that. And perhaps it is a spouse, or friend of a friend not closely connected. Good way to broaden involvement. (But broadening involvement to non rail enthusiast is not a strong point of many organizations. )

Tom