Fundraising Events
Only nonprofit organizations may conduct raffles, bingo, and other forms of lawful gambling according to Minnesota law. If you are not a nonprofit organization, read the frequently asked questions below for fundraising options.
We are not a nonprofit organization and understand that we are not eligible to conduct a raffle. What other fundraising options do we have?
Because raffles may not be conducted by individuals, we suggest the following fundraising alternatives:
- silent auction
- spaghetti or pork chop dinner
- pancake breakfast
- car wash
- community garage sale, and so on.
We want to conduct a raffle to help a friend pay for medical bills. Are we allowed to conduct a raffle for that purpose?
No. According to Minnesota law, raffles may only be conducted by nonprofit organizations. We suggest the fundraising alternatives mentioned above. Or, you might want to contact a local nonprofit organization in your community and ask them to conduct a raffle and donate the proceeds to the person in need.
A group of my friends are making pledges for a fundraiser sponsored by a nonprofit organization. We want to conduct a raffle or bingo to raise money to help pay for our walk-a-thon pledges. Are we allowed to conduct a raffle or bingo for this purpose?
No. For walk-a-thons, bike-a-thons, relay for life and other similar fundraising activities conducted by nonprofit organizations, pledges may not be paid for or made from raffle, bingo, or other charitable gambling proceeds. The reason why, according to Minnesota law charitable gambling, which includes raffles, bingo, pull-tabs, tipboards, and paddlewheels, may only be conducted by nonprofit organizations.
We will award door prizes at our fundraising event. Do we need a permit?
It depends. For example, if a person is required to purchase a spaghetti dinner or give a food donation for a food shelf to be eligible in a drawing for a door prize, then the drawing activity is considered a raffle. REMINDER: Only nonprofit organizations may conduct a raffle.
We would recommend instead that you offer the chance to win door prizes to anyone without requiring a purchase or contribution. Then the drawing would not be considered a raffle and no raffle permit would be required.
