What's The Best Prize For A Fundraising Raffle?

[joeylittle]

So, we are thinking of holding a raffle :) - and I wanted to get peoples' input about what the best approach for a prize might be.

There's no such thing as a wrong vote - I'm hoping to get a quick temperature-taking from the community, that's all.

For those unfamiliar with the concept, a raffle works like this: you receive one virtual raffle ticket for every specified amount (say, $3.00), that you donate. So, if you donate $6.00, that's two tickets. The more tickets you have, the more chances to win. At the end of the raffle period (probably one month), a winner or winners would be drawn from the 'pile' of entries.

Right now, we are thinking about keeping the prize(s) in the $200, including shipping, range. Still debating over how many winners there should be. Less winners, bigger prize; more winners, more incentive to play the game.

But this post is about prizes...so, take the poll!

• Fire HD8 Tablet
• Dead Link Removed
• Dead Link Removed
• Dead Link Removed
• GSM Unlocked Indigi Mobile Android Smart Phone (or similar)
• Dead Link Removed
• Value Spend: the winner gets a certain amount, including shipping, to spend on an item of their choice.

 

[ms spock]

I would suggest a portable disco! :)

 

[TXbandit]

Those prizes are so cool! I think this is a great idea and may generate more donations. Awesome!

 

[Silver.]

The review by the guy who is married to "My Alexa" does make the Echo sound appealing, but not my cup of tea.(though definitely worth the laugh if you have a minute to read it. thank you for that link btw)
However, you have come up with excellent incentives and I think anyone would be happy with any of these x

 

[hodge]

I voted for the tablet mostly because I am not familiar with any of the other gadgets, lol. (And the last thing I want is another phone that could ring and trigger me!) But great idea!

 

[Ocean5]

I'd say Apple MiniPad ;) Any version. Already have a Kindle Paperwhite, and rarely use it.

 

[Deleted member 28403]

I have no idea what most of those are :p Gadgets of the first world

Hmm, value spend might be the best option

But guys, how about some cool stuff, like I don't know, a T-shirt or something, like, smaller, cheaper prizes, so there are multiple winners, giving a really high incentive to play, but still, the prizes sorta being something very specific to the forum and related to the whole community :)

 

[StarChild]

@joeylittle There's other questions to think about. For example: Every country has a certain value of goods limit. So:

1. Even If these prizes were sent as a gift. If their value is higher than that specific amount of that country for gifts, the recipient has to pay duty. How should that work, in this case? How would that be handled?
2. I see a lot of electronic devices, lots of countries have different intensity of current and other things that are incompatible.
3. If the recipent has a Paypal account, the fee (why ship money?) would only be fractional...

Until there's no clear solution to these questions, I'd say a value spend.

 

[Missycat]

You make a good point @tree hugger - i like the idea of a value spend.
Love the idea of the raffle

 

[EveHarrington]

I voted for tablet as it's the only thing I could really use. I'd never use the echo, already have a fitness wristband, my phone/tablet already function as a way to read e-books. :)

 

[void]

@joeylittle

imo, there need not be any prize

keep all of the money raised and spend it on the site

 

[joeylittle]

Until there's no clear solution to these questions, I'd say a value spend.

Well, that's part of the advantage of a value spend, no doubt :) - however, I'll cover the basics, below. And I'm not just being cavalier with these questions, though I do believe that they are all pretty easy to address, once we are working with the reality of a winner and their location.

If their value is higher than that specific amount of that country for gifts, the recipient has to pay duty. How should that work, in this case? How would that be handled?

In some way that did not leave the recipient sitting with an unexpected duty charge. Because these amounts vary quite widely, I don't think it makes sense to have a plan worked out for each 'for-instance'. There will be enough play within the budget to solve this problem.

I see a lot of electronic devices, lots of countries have different intensity of current and other things that are incompatible.

Of course, we'd make sure the item was correctly rated for the country that it's going to.

If the recipent has a Paypal account, the fee (why ship money?) would only be fractional...

Not sure I understand...

keep all of the money raised and spend it on the site

Well, that's what we'd normally do - and likely will do, in a second funding drive.

My hope with this approach is that new members will be motivated to give even a small amount, say, one ticket's worth - because it's fun to play a game and support a cause. We struggle with motivating our newer members to give, and we struggle with making it an OK thing to just give a little. So, this both legitimizes the small gift, rationalizes the bigger gift (more tickets!), and shapes it all into an event, which is never bad for community.

But guys, how about some cool stuff, like I don't know, a T-shirt or something, like, smaller, cheaper prizes, so there are multiple winners, giving a really high incentive to play, but still, the prizes sorta being something very specific to the forum and related to the whole community :)

It's a good question - some staff had the same instinct. I'm going to add it as a poll option. Personally, I think there's a point where if it's 'too easy' to win, it's not as engaging for people. But that doesn't mean we can't have multiple gifts.