Online raffles are an easy way for charities to raise money. But merging in-person and virtual raffle fundraisers is where it’s at.
Most of the thousands of raffles conducted using the Eventgroove online fundraising platform are hybrid—that is, a mash-up of an online raffle and in-person raffle.
So, if you’re looking to boost your fundraiser’s reach, consider running a virtual raffle alongside your traditional raffle. By combining the two formats, you can engage both online and in-person audiences while raising more money for your great cause.
Below, we’ll detail how to combine an online raffle with an in-person raffle, pass on tips for hybrid raffle success from our customers, and share practical advice to help make your event a breeze.
Why Should You Combine an In Person and Online Raffle?
By selling raffle tickets both in person and online, you can reach more people and build greater momentum. Supporters can share your raffle website on social media and via email, expanding your reach far beyond your local area. The result? More ticket sales, more awareness for your cause, and a better shot at hitting your fundraising goal.
When to Use a Hybrid Raffle
A hybrid raffle is a great fit for many types of fundraisers, particularly when:
- You’re hosting a local event but want to include out-of-town supporters.
- You have a mix of tech-savvy and offline supporters.
- You want to build pre-event excitement through early online sales.
- You need flexibility in your ticket sales window (online tickets can be sold over a longer period).
What You’ll Need to Get Started
To run a hybrid raffle smoothly, gather the following ahead of time:
- A virtual raffle platform
- Custom printed raffle tickets for in-person ticket sales
- A CSV template or system to track and upload physical ticket entries
- QR codes linked to your raffle website
- Printed posters, postcards, or signage with QR codes
- A basic marketing plan for email and social media
How to Run an Online and In-Person Raffle Together
Once you’ve selected your raffle platform, follow the steps below to run a hybrid raffle. These instructions are tailored to the Eventgroove platform, which is designed to help charities easily manage both in-person and online fundraisers.
Before you begin, check your local raffle laws—not all areas allow online raffles or raffles in general.
Set up your raffle website
During setup, check the box that indicates you plan to sell both digital and physical tickets. If you later decide to offer online tickets only, simply uncheck it.
Set ticket numbers for each ticket type
Next, set the ticket numbering format for each type. In the first raffle setup section, expand “More Options” to define your starting numbers. Online tickets will be labeled with a “W” prefix and printed tickets with a “P.” You can customize these—for example, online tickets starting at 500 and printed ones at 1. All entries will be combined in the drawing regardless of type.
Start marketing your hybrid raffle
Promote your raffle both online and in person. Share your raffle website on social media, email, and word of mouth. For in-person engagement, print materials like posters, postcards, or vinyl banners with QR codes that link to your online raffle page work especially well.
Start selling tickets
Online ticket sales are automatically tracked by Eventgroove. For physical tickets, use the CSV template available in the “Enter Physical Entries” section of your dashboard to record in-person sales. When the raffle closes, upload the completed CSV to include all entries in your final drawing.
Run your drawing
Use the Eventgroove random number generator to select your winners automatically, or draw them manually if preferred. Either way, your raffle participants—online and in person—will all be included in the drawing.
Tips for Hybrid Raffle Success
Sell virtual tickets in person
Double-check your physical entries
Before closing ticket sales, leave enough time to review your CSV file for typos, formatting issues, or missing fields. This will help avoid errors when uploading to the Eventgroove platform before the drawing.
If you're raffling multiple prizes:
- Make sure the prize names in your CSV match exactly what you’ve entered in your Eventgroove dashboard.
- If you have a lot of prizes, such as in a basket raffle, give the system extra time to draw winners—it may take a few minutes to cycle through all entries and prizes.
Changing the closing date?
Questions We Often Hear from Raffle Organizers
Can I still do a hybrid raffle with just one prize?
Absolutely. Hybrid raffles work great even with a single raffle prize. The format helps you reach more people regardless of how many items you’re raffling.
What if most of my sales are online?
That’s completely fine. You can upload even a few physical entries—it’s still worth it if it helps involve different groups of supporters.
Is promoting a hybrid raffle more complicated?
Not really. Use a mix of online and offline marketing—just be sure everything points to your raffle website. Printed materials with QR codes can be especially helpful in driving awareness.
After the Raffle: Follow Up
Don’t stop engaging supporters once the raffle ends. Send a thank-you email, post your winners, and share the impact your fundraiser will make. It’s a great way to show appreciation and build momentum for your next campaign.
Ready to Try a Hybrid Raffle?
Combining online and in-person raffles can elevate your next fundraiser. Like tea and biscuits, they’re great alone—but even better together. Launch your fundraising raffle today! Launch your fundraising raffle today!
Still weighing your options? Explore other fundraising formats like a charity sweepstakes.
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