As a not-for-profit, you’re probably an expert at holding fundraising events, and know very well the mistakes to avoid. But another type of fundraiser that might not have crossed your mind till now is holding a prize draw with a major prize. This might sound daunting, as if someone actually wins the prize, the cost could be substantial, but with the right steps and appropriate insurance in place, a prize draw can be great for raising awareness for your cause, increase engagement, and be a powerful fundraising tool. Here is an overview on how to successfully run a prize draw as part of your fundraising efforts.
Decide on the prize
This may very well be the most enjoyable part of holding a prize draw. In deciding the prize, remember to choose something that is easy to fulfil. For example, if you’d like to give away a holiday, try to find a travel agent who can sponsor the event and can set up travel vouchers, rather than book the holiday for the winner yourself. Or if you’d like to give away a car, find a car dealership who can also sponsor the event and provide the winning vehicle.
Select the entry/guessing mechanism
This is an important part of setting up a prize draw, and one of the most crucial determinants of how likely a prize could be won. Entry mechanisms might include the following:
- Guessing the number of lollies in a jar
- Opening the digital safe
- Spinning the correct combination
- Selecting the winning envelope from a barrel
- Picking a key to try to open a treasure chest
Case Study: prize indemnity insurance assisting a great cause
A charity organisation partners with a local travel agent to promote a 50km walking event and raise funds in an exciting way. The prize on offer was $50,000 and could be entered by anyone that donated to the charity leading up to and during the event. As an extra incentive, the travel agent offered a secondary prize throughout the campaign, with the highest donor receiving a luxury weekend retreat in the Blue Mountains of NSW.
The prize draw itself, was a 1 in 50 envelope draw, with the prize being split 50/50, $25,000 going to the winner and the remaining $25,000 being donated to the charity running the event.
The promotion was a win-win for both organisations, the travel agent receiving great advertising during the event for a low investment, as the prize draw was covered under Prize Indemnity Insurance. The charity also received great engagement throughout the event, signed up new members and raise funds through registrations and the prize draw.
As you can see, while holding a prize draw can be a great way to raise funds, the cost to hold one can be a barrier. Prize Indemnity Insurance can be a of great value to any organisation wanting to hold a promotion, as it can insure against the cost of someone winning the prize and lighten the financial load for your organisation.