How it works

Step 1

supporters text one word to enter

Step 2

winning number is picked at random

Step 3

winner is called or texted by host

"The DONATE text raffle worked fantastically for our event and was extremely easy to set up and use. The team are really helpful and always on-hand to sort out any queries you may have. Being able to ring the winner on stage added a great bit of drama to the evening! We highly recommend it" Family Holiday Association

Text raffles enable your supporters to enter into a raffle using their mobile phone. Mobile phone numbers act as the entry tickets with the winning number being called and/or texted by you.

FAQs

Can any organisation use DONATE's text raffle service?

DONATE’S™ text raffle service is available to any charitable organisation that is registered with DONATE™. If you are not yet registered with DONATE™ you can do so for free here.

What are the Gambling and Lottery requirements?

Raffles held in a single location on a specific occassion (ie charity fundraising) may be classed as an Incidental Lottery in which case no licence is required. Please read the specific rules regarding Incidental Lotteries on the Gambling Commission website to ensure you comply.

Should your raffle fall outside the rules of an Incidental Lottery you may still be able to use DONATE™ but you will need the appropriate licence. Please note that in all circumstances DONATE™ operates as a payment provider and not as an External Lottery Manager (ELM) and it is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct authority/licence to run a lottery/raffle.

How long does it take to set-up a text raffle?

Once an organisation is set up with DONATE™ your text raffle should be available within one-two working days. You can see how to set-up a raffle here.

Can we choose our own keyword entry word and change it as required?

Yes. For each campaign you may rent,without charge, a memorable keyword (up to 8 characters) for entry ie WORKSHOP. Please note that some keywords may already be in use or not acceptable and you may therefore be asked to alter your chosen word or identify an alternative.

Please note that we reserve the right to recall a keyword at any time.

Can we track and manage our campaigns?

Yes, once signed up you have access to your self-serve portal. This gives you 24/7 access to donation reports and GDPR compliant donor opted-in data. The portal also enable you to add/enable/disable campaigns, download signage templates, amend thank-you emails and texts and much much more. Login is here: https://platform.nationalfundingscheme.org/portal/login

How should we promote the text raffle to our supporters?

An incidental lottery must be promoted at the event and not using external promotion. We recommend your volunteers are made aware of how to enter and that entry instructions are printed on guest literature. Additionally DONATE’s™ URL generated totaliser shows how your audience can enter the raffle.

Can we combine a text raffle with sales of other raffle tickets (eg cash)?

Yes, this is possible. Entries made by cash can be added to DONATE’s™ text raffle entries using our cash entry screen. This enables your team to enter the number of tickets bought and a reference for the buyer (name, telephone number etc.).

Equally, if you are selecting a winner by hand from cash entries then DONATE™ entries will be sent to you so you can enter them into you manual process.

What are the text raffle ticket prices?

We provide £1, £3, £5 and £10 entries without any set-up or monthly charge.

Please note that a £20 one-time cap and £30 daily cap is set by the premium text regulator Phone-paid Services Authority. Additional entry tickets above this cap can be bought by cash and entered into the draw.

Does the ticket price identify a single entry into the raffle at that price?

Ordinarily a £3, £5 or £10 ticket price conforms to a single entry at that price. However, we can adjust this such that a £3 ticket relates to 3 entries, a £5 ticket to 5 entries etc. This is a chargeable service and we will need two weeks notice to define and make this or other changes.

How and when is the draw made and winner notified?

We provide a web page from which the winner is drawn from the database of entries. You may make the draw from 30minutes after the last ticket entry. Winners can be notified by ringing or texting the winning number (or reading out the winning mobile number).

Do we have access to the donor's mobile numbers for future marketing purposes?

By default a donor is not giving permission for their data being made available for marketing purposes. Should the donor give their permission (ie through responding to a specific request) then we will make such opted-in data available to you. Please note we will make a charge to you if you ask us to set-up such a specific opt-in loop.

Find out more

Please read the FAQs above before proceeding.

Text Raffle

How it works

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Find out more