What are 50/50 Raffles? Your Guide to Fundraising Success!
October 26, 2026
Looking for a simple, high-energy way to raise money for your cause? A 50/50 raffle (also known as a cash raffle) is an easy-to-run fundraiser that creates instant excitement.
In this guide, we’ll break down how a cash raffle works, how to run a 50/50 raffle, and give you practical tips on how to price 50/50 raffle tickets, build buzz, and host a successful fundraiser from start to finish.
What is a 50/50 Raffle?
In a 50/50 raffle, every ticket sold adds to a shared cash prize. At the draw, one winner takes half, and your charity takes the other.
The cool thing about a 50/50 raffle is that the more entries you get, the more the pot grows. That ever-growing cash prize motivates even more people to buy tickets. After all, who doesn’t want to win a bunch of money?
Since the money raised is split between the winner and your cause, a 50/50 raffle might not raise as much as a traditional raffle. But the ROI (return on investment) is off the charts. Printed raffle tickets are your only cost, but you can even offset that by lining up a sponsor to advertise on the back. Plus, you don’t have to go hunting for raffle prizes. One small-town summer festival sold $30,722 in 50/50 tickets in a single year on Eventgroove, and has brought in more than $68,000 by bringing its 50/50 back annually.
The cherry on top? Your lucky winner commonly donates part or all of their prize money back to the cause. Remember, a 50/50 raffle is still a raffle, so compliance with local laws is paramount. In some jurisdictions, nonprofit organizations may run cash raffles only in person, while others can do so online, and still others may not run them at all. So be sure to check your local raffle laws.
How Does a 50/50 Raffle Work?
In a 50/50 raffle, participants buy numbered tickets, each contributing to the prize pool. At the end, one ticket is drawn at random. That holder wins 50% of the total raised, and the other 50% goes to your organization.
How to Run a 50/50 Raffle
- Confirm eligibility. Verify that your organization qualifies to conduct a raffle in your jurisdiction and determine whether you need to register, apply for a permit, or file a report before or after the event.
- Online Ticket Sales: Where online raffles are legal, selling online takes the cap off your pot, since supporters can buy from anywhere your local rules allow. About a third of 50/50 raffles run on Eventgroove’s online raffle platform have sold more than $8,000 in tickets.
- Set your ticket price. Use a raffle ticket pricing formula that starts with your expenses and fundraising goal, then adjusts for expected volume. A common approach is: (expenses + fundraising goal) ÷ expected tickets sold × 2.
- Emphasize Your Cause: On your tickets, raffle page, event marketing materials, and within your social media posts, remind participants that every ticket sold supports your organization’s mission.
- Use ticket sales strategies: Inspire supporters to buy more tickets through bulk purchase discounts. An example of this would be to sell five tickets for $25 versus $8 for a single ticket.
- Clear rules: Make sure the rules for your 50/50 raffle draw are unambiguous and easy to find. A terrific place to stash them is on your nonprofit organization’s fundraising page. It’s also a good idea to share them on social media.
- Assign volunteers. Recruit people to sell tickets, answer questions, promote the raffle, track sales, and witness the drawing. Give each volunteer the same talking points, ticket price, deadline, and rules so that information is consistent wherever it is shared.
- Launch sales early. Start promoting your cash raffle about a month before the drawing or event date so you have time to build momentum.
- Set a Deadline: Create urgency by having a set end date and time, and simultaneously develop a sense of FOMO by sharing regular countdowns to spur last-minute purchases.
- Show off how the pot is growing. Update the prize total regularly through a live display on your raffle site and social media posts.
- Make the draw a spectacle: When it’s time to pick the winning raffle ticket, make it an event. If your 50/50 raffle is part of a larger event, get the crowd excited! Periodically remind the crowd how much they’ll win and when you’ll conduct the draw. Be sure to livestream the draw or use Facebook/Instagram Live—it’ll make followers who didn’t buy tickets promise themselves they will next time. Plus, it’s great content, and every charitable organization could use some of that.
- Run the draw transparently. Use a physical draw or use a platform with a certified random number generator. Record the winning ticket number, the time of the draw, and the method used so you can verify the result later.
- Announce and document the winner. Share the result publicly, contact the winner using the method listed in the rules, and keep proof of the announcement. If your rules include a claim window or alternate winner process, follow it to the letter.
- Complete post-event reporting. Keep receipts, sales records, and any required forms. Some jurisdictions require annual or post-event disclosure reports, so keep that documentation on hand even after the winner is paid.
With these tactics, you’ll boost ticket sales and ensure your 50/50 raffle reaches its full fundraising potential.
Tips for a Successful 50/50 Raffle
- Legal Check: A 50/50 raffle is a really effective, efficient, low-resource way to reach your fundraising goal and stir up excitement and awareness for your cause. Just remember to review your local raffle laws and prepare well, and you’ll be on your way to a successful fundraiser.
- Taxes: There is a real possibility that winners may owe taxes on their prize — it’s worth mentioning this upfront so no one is surprised.
- 50/50 Raffle Tickets: You know what they say, the ticket makes the raffle! Great-looking, custom-printed raffle tickets can give your fundraising efforts a boost by imparting a professional feeling to your fundraiser.
- Ticket Type: If you’re running a 50/50 raffle within a bigger event, consider raffle roll tickets. But keep in mind that these tickets don’t have space for participants to fill out their contact information. As a result, finding the winner if they aren’t there at the draw can be tricky. When you use roll tickets, consider making it a rule that all who enter have to be present at the drawing. If you’d like participants to fill out a stub, order custom printed 50/50 raffle tickets.
Conclusion
A 50/50 raffle is a fun, flexible, and cost-effective way to raise money for your cause. By combining smart promotion and ticket-sales strategies, you can boost fundraising, engage your community, and create an exciting event that delivers results.
If you’re gearing up to host a 50/50 raffle that captivates your audience and maximizes your fundraising potential, order Eventgroove’s cash raffle tickets and take the first step towards a successful fundraiser!
Who can buy tickets in a 50/50 raffle?
Who can buy tickets depends on the raffle rules and local law. In many cases, any eligible adult can buy tickets, but some jurisdictions restrict participation or require age verification. The raffle page should clearly state any limits before sales begin.
Can one person buy multiple 50/50 raffle tickets?
Yes, many 50/50 raffles allow a buyer to purchase multiple tickets or bundles. Multiple entries can increase a participant’s odds of winning and can also help raise the total prize pot faster. The raffle rules should state whether bundle pricing is allowed and how the draw handles multiple entries.
Do winners have to pay taxes on 50/50 raffle winnings?
Yes, raffle winnings may be taxable. Winnings are generally not considered a charitable donation, so the winner should keep records and may need to report them for tax purposes, depending on the prize amount and local rules. Organizers should warn winners and encourage them to consult a tax professional.
What happens if the 50/50 raffle winner is not present or cannot be reached?
The organization should define this in the official rules before the drawing. Common approaches include contacting the winner by phone or email, allowing a claim window, and selecting an alternate winner if the original winner cannot be reached within the stated time. Clear rules prevent disputes after the draw.
How far in advance should you start promoting a 50/50 raffle?A good rule is to start promotion about a month before the event or drawing date. That gives the organization enough time to recruit volunteers, sell early bundles, send reminders, and build momentum as the pot grows. Shorter campaigns can work, but they usually need more aggressive outreach.
Is a 50/50 raffle considered a donation?
No, a 50/50 raffle purchase is generally not treated the same as a charitable donation. The buyer is paying for a chance to win, so the transaction is a raffle entry rather than a pure gift. That distinction matters for taxes and for how the fundraiser should be described to supporters.
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