Go to Fundraise > Text raffles and select + New raffle. Follow the four steps below. You promote the raffle, and we handle the entries, donations and free entries.
Why use text raffles
A raffle run by text must only ask for voluntary donations, so supporters must be able to enter for free. Text raffles are set up to do this for you. Find out why a free entry option is required.
Don't use text giving to run a raffle. Only text raffles meet the rules for raffles.
The Text raffles page
The page lists your open, scheduled and closed raffles:
- Raffle: the raffle's keyword and call to action
- Amount: the donation for one ticket
- Starts and Closes: when the raffle opens and closes
- Status: Open, Scheduled or Closed
- Entries: how many entries the raffle has
- Raised: how much supporters have donated
Create a raffle
- Keyword and dates. Enter the keyword you want. All raffles use the shortcode 70215, which you can't change. If your keyword is already in use on 70215, choose another. Then set the date and time your raffle starts and closes.
- Entry. Choose the donation for one ticket, from £1 to £5. Supporters can ask for more than one entry. For example, if a ticket is £1 and a supporter replies TEN, they get 10 entries and donate £10. The entry message fills in when you choose the amount. You can change it, but it must include your charity's name, how to reply to choose a number of entries, how much that will donate, and how to enter without donating. To enter for free, supporters add NODONATION to the number of entries, for example TENNODONATION for 10 free entries.
- Messages. Check the two messages supporters get after they enter. The donation message goes to supporters who donate. It must include how many entries they have (shown as #times#), your charity's name and Donr's helpline number. It also includes a link to a Gift Aid declaration. Leave the link exactly as it is to ask for Gift Aid, or remove it if you don't want to ask. The no donation message goes to supporters who enter for free. It must say how many entries they have (#times#) and that they haven't donated.
- Ready to go. Your raffle is set up. This step shows the wording to use when you promote it.
Once your raffle is open
Don't extend the closing time, change the number of prizes, reuse the same prizes in another raffle, or change any other details while the raffle is running. People who have already entered made their choice based on the original details, so changes would make the draw unfair.
Find out what you can edit, and when.
Promote your raffle
Ask supporters to text your keyword to 70215. For example, if your keyword is CHARITY:
Text CHARITY to 70215 to find out more. Texts cost your standard network rate.
See the wording and sample terms to use when promoting a raffle.
Choose a winner
After the raffle closes, download the entries and pick your winner. Find out how to choose a winner.