Sweepstakes for nonprofits can be a great way to raise awareness and funds for your cause. They are also a fun way to engage with your supporters and attract new ones.
In this case study, we will walk you through the process of running sweepstakes, from deciding if it’s right for your organization to pick a winner. We’ll also give you some tips on how to market your sweepstakes effectively. So read on to learn more!
Is Running a Sweepstakes Right for My Nonprofit?
Sweepstakes can be a great marketing tool for nonprofits, but they’re not right for every organization. Before you decide to run sweepstakes, ask yourself the following questions:
Do we have the resources to run sweepstakes? Running sweepstakes takes time and effort, so you’ll need to make sure you have the staff or volunteers to manage it.
What are our goals? sweepstakes can be a great way to raise awareness for your nonprofit, but they’re not going to solve all your marketing problems. Make sure you have realistic expectations for what sweepstakes can achieve.
What can we offer? The prize is the most important part of any sweepstakes, so you’ll need to make sure you have something that will appeal to your target audience. It doesn’t have to be expensive, but it should be something that people would want to win.
What are the rules? Sweepstakes are regulated by state and federal laws, so you’ll need to make sure you’re familiar with the requirements before you start planning.
Benefits of Running a Sweepstakes for Nonprofits
Nonprofits can use sweepstakes to increase awareness of their mission and attract more donations. Here are some benefits of running sweepstakes for nonprofits.
Attract Donations
Sweepstakes can help you get money without having to write grants or organize galas. When new contestants join your sweepstakes to win a prize, they’ll learn about your organization’s efforts at the same time.
Sweepstakes entrants can also choose to give at the time of entry. It’s acceptable to urge participants to contribute to your cause as long as your official regulations make it clear that:
Viral Sharing
Sweepstakes can maximize your nonprofit’s reach by drawing in new contributors and encouraging viral sharing. By promoting your nonprofit fundraiser on social media, as well as traditional media outlets, you’ll be able to take advantage of the viral sharing aspect of sweepstakes.
Reach New Local and National Donors
Sweepstakes may be hosted in all 50 states, even if your nonprofit is not established in the state. This means people who are not aware of your organization can become interested in it as a result of this promotion.
How to Run Sweepstakes for Nonprofit?
Pick a prize
As we mentioned, the prize is the most important part of any sweepstakes. People are more likely to enter if they think the prize is something they want. When picking a prize, consider the following:
- What is our budget? The prize doesn’t have to be expensive, but it should be worth the entry fee.
- What will appeal to our target audience? Think about what your supporters would like to win.
- What can we get for free? You may be able to get prizes donated from businesses or individuals.
Plan the details
Now that you’ve picked a prize, it’s time to start planning the details of your sweepstakes. Here are a few things to consider:
- When will the sweepstakes start and end?
- How will people enter? Will they need to purchase something, or can they enter for free?
- How will the winner be chosen? Will it be random, or will there be some sort of contest?
- What are the rules? Be sure to include information about eligibility, entry requirements, and how to claim the prize.
- How will you promote the sweepstakes? You’ll need to let people know about it if you want them to enter!
Promote Your Sweepstakes
Now that you’ve planned all the details, it’s time to start promoting your sweepstakes. Here are a few ideas:
- Create a landing page on your website
- Write a blog post or article about the sweepstakes
- Send an email to your supporters
- Post about it on social media
- Run ads in local newspapers or online
Drawing the Winner
Finally, once the sweepstakes is over, it’s time to pick a winner/s. This is accomplished by drawing from all qualified participants using random selection. Once you’ve selected a winner/s, make sure to contact them and let them know they’ve won!
Sweeppea Can Help You Run Sweepstakes for Nonprofits
Sweepstakes for non-profits need legal expertise and experience in both state and federal laws. Hiring specialists in all of these areas will take time and money. We understand you want to hold your sweepstakes as soon as possible so you can get the most out of it. When it comes to running sweepstakes for non-profits, hiring a company
A sweepstakes company will have the knowledge and expertise to help you stay compliant with sweepstakes law at the federal and state level. Sweeppea is a full-service sweepstakes and contest management firm. With over ten years of combined experience, we’ve worked on hundreds of successful sweepstakes for some of the most well-known businesses.
Develop Sweepstakes From Concept to Reality
We’re on hand to assist you in converting your competition idea into a reality. This includes compliance with laws and other matters required to run and manage the promotion successfully.
Official Sweepstakes Rules and Abbreviated Rules
Rules are an important component of any successful sweepstakes. We offer official rule drafting services, as well as fast rules for inclusion in all of your eCommerce sweeps.
Creation of Official Sweepstakes Rules Page
We’ll create a unique website for your participants to access the rules, or you may use our self-service platform to build your own.
Customized Entry Form Creation
We’ll generate a customized online form for you to collect your participants’ first-party entry data. For your sweepstakes promotion, we’ll make a unique confirmation page. When participants finish the entry form on our website, they will be sent to a customized Thank You page.
Prize Fulfillment
We will handle all aspects of prize fulfillment for your sweepstakes.
The goal of running sweepstakes is to boost sales, gather data from participants, and select a fortunate winner. We will choose a winner(s) at random after your sweepstakes have ended. To promote your company and attract consumers interested in future offers, you may announce the winner(s) to your audience right away.
Successful Sweepstakes for Nonprofits: Freedom Tremor
Each year human trafficking claims 2.1 million new victims. Sponsored by DiamondBack Automotive Accessories Inc, the Freedom Tremor giveaway raised $201,037 for A21, an organization that’s working hard to end modern slavery.
Entry Methods
During the Sweepstakes Period, eligible Entrants can participate in the Sweepstakes in one of the following ways:
- WEBSITE: By visiting the website and making a purchase online. For each $1.00 of merchandise purchased (excluding tax and shipping), the winner will get one (1) entry into the Sweepstakes for any of these qualifying products:
- Freedom Tremor PVC Patch
- Freedom Tremor Hat
- Freedom Tremor T-shirt
- Freedom Tremor Long Sleeve T-shirt
- Freedom Tremor Hoodie
- FREE ENTRY: During the Entry Period, eligible Individuals may enter by hand-printing their complete name, address, phone number, date of birth, and email address on a 3″x5″ card or paper with a minimum length of 25 words on what winning the prize would mean to them.
Eligibility
The Sweepstakes is open to natural persons who are legal residents of, and physically reside in, one of the 48 United States (including D.C.) and are 18 years old or older as of the start date (“Entrant”).
Winner and Prizes
PRIZE: One (1) pre-owned Ford Super Duty 250 Tremor 2020 pickup truck with 14,000 miles (ARV $80,000) and a check for $20,000.00
The Approximate Retail Value (“ARV”) of the Prizes is $100,000.00
Prize Restrictions: The Prize must be received and accepted within thirty (30) days of the winner’s approval. The Prize Winner must have and produce a valid U.S. driver’s license that is acceptable for the prize, as well as proof of automobile insurance (comprehensive or liability) at the time of delivery.
Conclusion
Sweepstakes can be a great way to engage with supporters and attract new ones. Just make sure you have the resources to manage it, set realistic expectations, and pick a prize that will appeal to your target audience. And most importantly, don’t forget to have fun!
Do you have any tips for running sweepstakes? Share them in the comments below!
For more information on how Sweeppea can help you with your next sweepstakes, contact us at support@sweeppea.com or call us at 305-505-5393.