Ordering raffle tickets is an important part of planning a fundraiser. Whether your organization is a school, church, business, club or non-profit, you can boost event attendance and increase donations by hosting a raffle that features attractive prizes and memorable experiences. But to be successful, your raffle must be backed by an effective strategy, a compelling cause and a seamless selling platform.

Before you order your tickets, take the time to determine what kind of money you need to raise and what prize or prizes you want to include in your draw. Once you know how much you need to raise and what your prize goal is, it’s time to decide on a price point. There are calculators online that help you figure out how much to charge per ticket, or you can offer multiple tickets for a discounted price — for example, 5 tickets for $10.

Once you have a pricing structure in place, set up your sales stations. Ideally, each station should be prominently displayed and well-staffed with volunteers. Be sure to include a secure cash box and plenty of change, as well as a large receptacle such as a fishbowl or transparent jar for collecting the ticket stubs. At each station, be sure to advertise the price of tickets and when and where the drawing will be held.

Be aware of the laws in your state regarding running a raffle. Depending on where you live, you may need to register the event or report its proceeds. Having this information in advance will save you from any unforeseen consequences and help you run your raffle smoothly.

Often, the best raffles are those that feature unique, one-of-a-kind prizes. Exceptional items not only draw people in and create buzz around your event, but they also raise the value of each individual ticket. To achieve this, consider hand-curated gift baskets of artisan goods, exclusive event tickets or rare, once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

When selecting the winners, it’s a good idea to have an impartial person present to make the drawing. This will ensure that you’re selecting an honest winner and complying with statutory requirements (check the links above for helpful legal resources). If the winner is not in the room at the time of the drawing, be prepared to contact them to arrange delivery of their prize or to select another winner.

When your fundraising event is over, it’s time to count up the tickets and determine the total amount raised. You can do this manually, or use an online tool such as MoneyMinder Store to automatically sync all transactions and generate a report that you can send to your donors. It’s a great way to thank them for their support and encourage them to come back next year.