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 text raffle is so simple and efficient... really fun and dramatic!

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 open to any organisation that has been accepted on to the DONATE™ platform. DONATE™ is open to all organisation’s with a charitable purpose in the UK or overseas. If you are not already a member of DONATE™ click here to see if you are eligble and here to read general FAQs. Click here to join DONATE™.

Under what circumstances can a text raffle be used?

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).

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 two working days.

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

Yes. For each raffle you may select a memorable keyword for entry ie NEPAL. However some keywords may already be in use and you may therefore be asked to identify an alternative.

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 tickets ticket prices?

The DONATE™ text raffle ticket entries are made available at £3, £5 and £10. It is possible to have multiple raffles/ticket prices at a single event.

Please note that a £20 one-time cap and £30 daily cap is set by the premium text regulator PayPhonePlus. 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 and a £10 ticket to 10 entries. Should this be required please advise us.

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.

What are DONATE's charges for running text raffles?

DONATE™ does not charge for running the text raffle service but charges our normal transaction fees for each ticket bought (4.5% for charities, 5% for non-charities). More information about our fees is available here.

When do we receive funds from DONATE?

We receive payments from the mobile operators on a quarterly basis. We pay out net proceeds according to our standard terms here.

Is Gift Aid available on the ticket purchase?

Gift Aid is not available on a text raffle ticket entry.

Can DONATE source the prizes for our raffle?

DONATE™ does not source prizes.

What management reporting tools are available?

All organisational users of DONATE™ have access to our self-serve, management portal where administrators can access donation reports, download web, text, QR donation codes, user data and much much more.

Find out more

Please read the FAQs above before proceeding.

Text Raffle

How it works

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Find out more