Activities & Fundraising
20+ prize ideas at every price point ($10–$200+), step-by-step raffle timeline, how to source prizes, themed raffle formats, and digital options for virtual events. A raffle is both a fundraiser and one of the most fun activities at any reunion.
A good raffle has prizes at multiple price points — a few big prizes for excitement, and many smaller prizes so more people win something. Aim for 1 prize per 8–10 attendees.
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Run the raffle sale before the event for maximum revenue. Day-of sales supplement but shouldn't be your only opportunity.
4–6 weeks before
Confirm prizes (purchase or solicit donations). Announce the raffle in your invitation or registration materials. Begin pre-selling tickets via Venmo with the note 'Reunion raffle #' and a sequential number.
Registration / RSVP time
Include raffle ticket purchase as an option in the registration form. Offer the bundle pricing: 3 for $10, 6 for $20.
Day of the event (arrival)
Display all prizes visibly — on a table with labels. Sell additional tickets at the check-in table. Hand physical tickets to each buyer and keep the stubs.
Mid-afternoon (2:00–3:30 PM)
Announce the raffle drawing. Do it when energy is still high — not at the very end of the event when people are leaving. Announce each winner by name and ticket number.
Prize distribution
Have someone verify that the winner is present before handing over the prize. If winner is not present, draw again.
Themed raffles solve the prize-sourcing problem and add a creative element that makes the raffle itself part of the reunion's activities.
Each family branch contributes one item to a themed gift basket — 'Comfort Night In,' 'Kitchen Essentials,' 'Family Game Night.' Raffle the completed baskets. The collaborative creation adds to the fun.
Ask every adult guest to bring one wrapped item ($10–25) for the raffle. All items go into the pool. This eliminates the prize-sourcing challenge and creates variety. Works best when you set a price range.
All prizes are experiences rather than items: cooking class, winery tour, concert tickets, spa day, escape room. Appeals to people who already have everything they need. More memorable than physical gifts.
Run a separate, lower-stakes kids' raffle with age-appropriate prizes: toys, books, activity kits, gift cards to their favorite stores. Kids love the excitement of winning and it's inclusive for the whole family.
Sell tickets via Venmo ($2–5 each, note the ticket number). Track buyers in a spreadsheet. Draw a winning ticket number live on Zoom and ship the prize.
Online raffle platforms that handle ticket sales, entry management, and winner selection automatically. Good for larger virtual events.
Create a Google Form where guests submit their entry. Use a random name selector tool to pick winners live on the call.
For virtual events, prizes that can be delivered digitally work best: Amazon gift cards emailed to winners, streaming service subscriptions, e-cards.
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Run Your Raffle — and the Whole Reunion — in One Place
Reunly tracks RSVPs, the program schedule, and raffle prize assignments.
Running a family reunion raffle: (1) Pre-sell tickets via Venmo or cash in the weeks before the event. (2) Sell additional tickets at the event. (3) Display prizes visibly at the event so guests know what they're playing for. (4) Use numbered tickets — keep the stubs in a container. (5) Draw winning tickets during a mid-afternoon announcement (after lunch when energy is high). (6) Announce winners by calling their name and ticket number. (7) Have someone verify the winner is present before handing over the prize.
Good family reunion raffle prizes appeal to multiple generations and don't require winner to be present to claim. Popular choices: restaurant gift cards ($25–100), Amazon gift cards, a framed copy of the family group photo (ordered in advance), the family cookbook, a handmade quilt or item donated by a family member, a spa day gift certificate, cash prizes ($50, $100, $200), a weekend getaway package, or a basket of local specialty items. Avoid prizes that only work for one demographic — electronics that grandma can't use, or items only appealing to one age group.
Standard raffle ticket pricing: $2–5 per ticket, or a bundle deal (3 for $10 or 6 for $20) that incentivizes buying more. For a reunion of 75 guests buying an average of 5 tickets each, you'd raise $750 at $2/ticket — enough to cover the prize cost and contribute to the reunion fund. Price tickets lower if the goal is fundraising (more tickets sold = more money) and higher if the prizes are premium and guests expect to win something valuable for their investment.
The best prize sources for a family reunion raffle: (1) Donated by family members — each family branch donates one item, (2) Donated by a family member's business (restaurant gift cards, service discounts), (3) Purchased by the organizer using a portion of registration fees, (4) Local business solicitation — many local businesses will donate a gift card or item in exchange for recognition at the event, (5) Online ordering — Amazon, Etsy, and Vistaprint all have items that work as raffle prizes.
Reunly keeps guest lists, payments, and schedules organized from the first save-the-date to the final raffle drawing.