Raffles remain one of the most popular and effective ways for South African schools and PTAs to raise funds for sports equipment, library books, infrastructure upgrades, trips, and other essential projects. They create excitement, involve the whole community, and can generate thousands of rand with relatively low effort — especially when done digitally.
Here’s a practical, step-by-step guide to running a successful school raffle.
1. Set a Clear Goal and Budget
Start with the end in mind. Decide exactly what you want to raise money for (e.g., “R25,000 for new sports nets and uniforms”) and calculate your target. Factor in costs such as prizes, printing (if any), and marketing.
Tip: Be specific in your communications — parents are more likely to buy tickets when they know exactly how the money will be used.
2. Choose Attractive Prizes
Great prizes drive ticket sales. Aim for a mix of:
- High-value items (weekend getaway, shopping vouchers, electronics)
- Experiential prizes (Table Mountain cable car tickets, restaurant vouchers, pamper packages)
- School-related prizes (tuition credit, branded merchandise, extra-curricular lessons)
Pro tip: Approach local businesses for donations or sponsorships — many are happy to support schools in exchange for publicity. Focus on 3–8 quality prizes rather than dozens of small ones.
3. Set Ticket Price and Quantity
Keep tickets affordable but valuable. Popular price points in South Africa are R20 – R100 per ticket. Decide how many tickets to print/sell (e.g., 500 or 1,000) to make your target realistic.
4. Understand the Legal Requirements (Important!)
Raffles in South Africa are regulated by the National Lotteries Commission (NLC) under the Lotteries Act.
- Small raffles held at school events or fetes often qualify as “lotteries incidental to exempt entertainment” and usually require no formal registration.
- Larger raffles with significant prize values may fall under society lotteries and require prior NLC registration and approval.
Always:
- Check current NLC guidelines or consult your school governing body.
- Keep clear records of ticket sales, prizes, and the draw.
- Communicate rules transparently to all participants.
When in doubt, start small or seek advice — compliance protects your school and builds trust.
5. Promote Widely
Don’t rely on ticket sales alone. Promote through:
- WhatsApp parent groups
- School newsletters and Facebook pages
- Email to alumni and past parents
- Posters at school gates and local community spots
Create excitement with countdowns, progress updates (“We’ve already sold 180 tickets!”), and stories about what the funds will achieve.
6. Make Buying and Participating Easy
This is where many traditional raffles lose momentum. Manual ticket sales, cash handling, and Excel tracking create extra work and limit participation.
Modern solution: Run your raffle online with a professional platform. Supporters can buy tickets instantly via Instant EFT, cards, or SnapScan, receive digital tickets by email, and see live progress.
7. Run a Fair and Transparent Draw
Use a random draw method (physical or digital) and record it. Notify winners promptly and publish results so everyone knows the process was fair. Winners should still claim prizes even if they’re not present at the draw.
8. Follow Up and Build Your Community
After the raffle:
- Thank all participants publicly.
- Share impact stories (“Your tickets helped buy new sports equipment!”).
- Collect consented contact details from buyers for future campaigns.
This turns one-off supporters into a warm list you can reach out to next time — dramatically improving results for future fundraisers.
Bonus: Make Your Next Raffle Even Easier
Instead of starting from scratch every year with printed tickets and manual admin, many schools now use a permanent branded online hub (like yourschool.fundraising.org.za).
You submit a simple form with your prize and ticket details, and the campaign launches quickly with secure payments, automated tickets, live tracking, and built-in supporter list building. No more Excel headaches — and you keep 100% of the funds raised (minus standard gateway fees).
Ready to Run Your Best School Raffle Yet?
Raffles work because they combine fun, community spirit, and a chance to win something special. With good planning, attractive prizes, clear promotion, and the right tools, your school can raise meaningful funds while keeping admin to a minimum.
Have you run a raffle before? What was your biggest challenge — prizes, ticket sales, or admin? Share your experiences in the comments!
Need help launching a professional online raffle quickly? Get your permanent fundraising hub for only R995 →