The Easy Way to Raise $10k: Introducing the Golden Ticket Raffle

We all know the raffle: that small but mighty fundraising strategy that’s a knock-out with donors and nonprofits alike.

But have you heard of the coveted Golden Ticket? 

A twist on the classic raffle, this competition combines the excitement of the draw with a clever catch. 

Find out how this unique fundraising idea can shatter donation expectations and easily raise $10,000 at your benefit event. Now that’s a strategy worth its weight in gold.

What is the Golden Ticket? 

When it comes to fundraising, there’s no shortage of creative raffle prize ideas to incentivize giving. But what if you could make the game itself even more impactful? 

Introducing the Golden Ticket. 

This variation of the classic raffle sells tickets to donors for their chance to win a prize. 

But here’s the catch: 

Instead of smaller items like gift baskets up for grabs, the Golden Ticket promises one lucky winner a single showstopping prize, like this luxury villa vacation:

How Does It Work? 

A Golden Ticket is run much like an ordinary raffle and can be summed up in 4 simple steps: 

1. Sell Your Tickets

Due to the incredible prize value, Golden Tickets should be priced higher than regular raffle tickets at $50 or $100 each. A higher price point means you should sell the majority of tickets before your benefit auction. That way, you have enough time to promote the event and won't fall short of your fundraising goal.

2. Promote the Event 

Drive up donor interest and excitement by promoting your raffle event via email and social channels leading up to the big day. Highlighting your jaw-dropping prize is crucial for boosting ticket sales, which is why our luxury travel packages for auction are always accompanied by high-quality marketing materials.

3. Host the Game 

Like a raffle, you’ll want to hold your Golden Ticket live when most donors are present. Slotting your raffle after the live auction is a clever way to ensure donors stay and participate until the very end of your event. An alternative? Use the Golden Ticket to energize the crowd before any bidding. Whatever you decide, be sure to build anticipation by reminding guests of the draw throughout the night. 

4. Draw Your Winner

Drumroll, please! When it comes to the raffle draw, you’ll want to make it worth the wait. Sure, you can pick a number from a hat - but why not get creative with this fundraising idea? Consider a dramatic reveal, like hiding the Golden Ticket under the winner’s seat or having your auctioneer toss the entries into the air and catch the lucky one.

I Can Raise How Much? 

With the basics covered, let’s talk about the real draw of the Golden Ticket: the ability to easily raise $10,000 in a single night! 

What sounds extraordinary is actually quite simple. Sell 100 tickets at $100 each and you’ve already reached your fundraising goal. With most benefit galas attracting between 250 - 1000 attendees, this target is well within reach. 

Simple Pricing Formula

If you aren't working with a donation, you'll need to factor the cost of the prize into your equation. To make it easy, simply plug your numbers into this functional formula: 

(Fundraising Goal + Price of Prize Item) ÷ Ticket Price = Number of Tickets to Sell 

TIP: If the number of tickets to sell is unreasonable for your event size, simply tweak your raffle pricing. 

In Action: 

$10,000 goal + $5,000 raffle prize ÷ $100 ticket price = 150 tickets to sell 

$5,000 goal + $2,500 raffle prize ÷ $50 ticket price = 150 tickets to sell

The Sweet Spot 

To maintain the Golden Ticket's prestige, our experts recommend pricing tickets no lower than $40 each. Some auctions also limit the total number of tickets available to drive urgency and keep an air of exclusivity around the event. 

It's up to you whether guests can purchase multiple entries or just one each. If you do opt for multiples, bundling tickets is a simple yet powerful way to reach your fundraising goals even faster. 

 Example: 1 ticket for $50 or 5 tickets for $200

Raffle Prize Ideas

The key to a successful Golden Ticket is offering the perfect prize. You’ll want to showcase: 

1. A highly desirable yet exclusive item
2. An item you can easily promote online 
3. An item that’s affordable and easy to procure

When it comes to these criteria, luxury travel packages for auction hit all the right notes. With stunning imagery and universal appeal, they’re easy to market to your audience while maintaining exclusivity and prestige. 

With risk-free consignment options and a vast portfolio of luxury travel experiences, it’s as simple as browsing and picking the perfect package.

Ideas to Inspire: 

Not sure which luxury travel package would perform best at your Golden Ticket raffle? Get inspired with some of our trip winner’s favorite experiences: 

• Beachfront Tulum villa: fully staffed with your own private stretch of beach
• Historic Tuscan home: experience la dolce vita with a cultural tour and wine tasting
• National Park Adventure: an unforgettable stay in the heart of the Great American Outdoors
• Winner’s Choice: donors pick between 3 stunning sun or city destinations

Why Host a Golden Ticket

Incredible Value 

How much would you pay for a luxury villa in St. Martin? How about one with a private infinity pool and chef service included? Chances are your vacation would rack up a hefty charge. 

Golden Tickets are irresistible to donors because they know a fifty-dollar bill is a steal for a getaway of this caliber. 

With a modest no-risk reserve price, dedicated concierge and reservations included, and the power to raise $10k, nonprofits also benefit big from the Golden Ticket’s extraordinary value. 

Raise More With Less

We’ve established that the Golden Ticket can raise significantly more funds than your classic raffle. But did you know they outperform silent auctions too? 

The data from our fundraising packages show raffles raise a staggering 14x more funds than silent auctions! 

Remember, a silent auction only nets funds from winning bids. With a Golden Ticket, every single donor contributes to your cause, regardless of whether they win. 

More Flexibility

When it comes to the coveted live auction, slots are limited. A Golden Ticket Raffle adds flexibility to your benefit auction by offering yet another opportunity to raise funds from a high-ticket item. 

With average Golden Ticket proceeds ranging from $5,000 to $20,000, this unique raffle idea can even outperform live bidding. 

Plus, your trip winners have the flexibility to change or upgrade their stays from our network of over 1500 luxury homes worldwide. 

Drive Up Engagement

Live auctions often steal the spotlight as the evening's most anticipated event. But with only a few donors bidding for each item, you risk the rest of your supporters tuning out. 

A Golden Ticket strikes the perfect balance by energizing hundreds of supporters at once. This level of engagement is crucial for incentivizing giving and guaranteeing attendees leave entertained. When donors have a great time, you're more likely to retain them long-term and build a positive NPO image. 

Is the Golden Ticket Right for Me? 

At $50 to $100 an entry, the Golden Ticket raffle works best for galas of 250+. But smaller events with a higher profile clientele are also a great match. 

Every event is unique, which is why our fundraising consultants work with you one-on-one to evaluate your auction needs and pair you with the right fundraising solution.

Connect with an expert today to find the best travel package for your raffle or learn more about how the Golden Ticket can supercharge your benefit event!