| Holding a fundraising raffle for a Harley-Davidson | | | | considered gambling and you will have to register and |
| motorcycle can be a very effective way for a | | | | follow strict guidelines and reporting procedures. |
| nonprofit organization, school, or charity to raise a | | | | You also need to find out if your organization's |
| large amount of money. In fact, many organizations | | | | by-laws allow raffles and decide if a raffle is |
| across the United States hold an annual | | | | appropriate for your organization. Some organizations |
| Harley-Davidson raffle and raise as much as $50,000 | | | | would not consider a raffle an appropriate way to |
| each year. | | | | raise funds. In some states school children are not |
| There are several advantages to holding a raffle with | | | | allowed to sell raffle tickets. |
| a grand prize such as a motorcycle. For one thing, | | | | There will be expenses associated with the raffle. |
| you do not have to sell a large amount of tickets | | | | You will need to print tickets and buy advertising. |
| because the cost per ticket can range from $20 to | | | | There may also be taxes and accounting and legal |
| $100 per ticket. This means that the odds of winning | | | | fees. |
| are attractive to purchasers. | | | | Along with the grand prize of the motorcycle it is |
| If you sell 2,500 tickets at $50.00 a piece you will | | | | always a good idea to have other smaller prizes. This |
| bring in $50,000. Even if you have to purchase the | | | | helps sell tickets. The prizes can be cash prizes in |
| Harley for $15,000, after your other overhead | | | | amounts such as $100 to $500 or items associated |
| expenses, such as ticket printing and advertising, you | | | | with Harleys such as a motorcycle jacket, helmet or |
| could still earn close to $35,000 with one | | | | leather chaps. |
| Harley-Davidson raffle. | | | | The best way to acquire the prizes is, of course, to |
| Raffle tickets can be sold over a period of several | | | | have them donated. However, your organization can |
| months in places such as Costco, shopping malls, and | | | | also buy the prizes. If you are purchasing the |
| the local Harley-Davidson shop. If you can display the | | | | motorcycle after the drawing, then you can offer |
| motorcycle that will help ticket sales. If it is legal in | | | | the winner the option of accepting the prize or the |
| your state you may be able to sell the tickets by | | | | cash equivalent of the motorcycle. The prize winner |
| mail or over the internet from your website. | | | | is always responsible for paying the taxes and any |
| When you are considering any kind of raffle you first | | | | fees associated with accepting the prize. Again, this |
| need to check with your State Attorney General's | | | | all has to be within the laws of your state. |
| office to find out what the laws are regarding raffles | | | | If you are thinking of having a raffle for your next |
| in your state. You should also check with your local | | | | fundraiser I suggest you consider a Harley-Davidson |
| city government. In some states raffles are | | | | raffle. |