Maximize Fundraising with Proven Strategies & Expertise
Before Your Fundraiser
Consultation
Keep in mind: no matter how many people are attending your event, the reality is, they will only bring so much money to your event. It’s up to you to get your guests and supporters to spend. It doesn’t matter whether they spend it on the raffles items, the races, the sideboards or other games you have available. What matters most is whether you know and understand what it takes to get your guests and supporters to spend what they have. Our consultation services can help optimize your event's potential.
The Ultimate Race Nights® has developed a night at the races system that can MAKE YOUR ORGANIZATION MONEY and MAKE IT FUN FOR YOUR GUESTS! By utilizing our consultation services from the start, you can learn how to set up your event for success! From the very beginning of your planning to the day of the event, our experience can make a huge difference on your event night.
Event Ticket Sales
We recommend an audience no smaller than 250-300 people. Charge what you think will be profitable, but not cause anyone to hesitate paying the admission, and you can't go wrong.
Let's say you are hosting an event with 300 people expected to attend. If you clear $10.00 per person, you've just raised $3,000. Clear $20 per person and you've raised $6,000.
Event Sponsorships
This is important! Every fundraiser we've ever attended has been sponsored by multiple businesses or people whose donation help defray the costs of the event (food, music, etc.). Organizations rely heavily on sponsorships, and your event is no exception.
20 sponsors at $50 per sponsorship = $1000.
30 sponsors at $50 = $1500.
Some organizations offer different levels of sponsorships. As an example: Gold, Silver or Bronze. Gold could be worth $300, Silver $200 and Bronze $100. Again, do the math and set your goals and make sure you give yourself plenty of time to find sponsors.
And be sure to find a way to recognize those individuals or businesses who have become sponsors!
* Signs with individual names or company logos
* Special name badges, boutonnieres or ribbons indicating sponsorship levels
* Recognition in the program
* Mention of their names by the host or emcee
Think About This
With 300 people in attendance you've just made:
* Admission - 300 people X $15 cleared admission = $4,500
* Sponsorships: 20 sponsors X $50 each = $1,000
* Horse Owners: 120 horses X $20 each = $2,400
* Jockey Spots: 120 Jockeys X $20 each $2,400.
That's potentially over $10,000 and the day of the event hasn't even arrived yet!
During your Event
Horse Races
Here’s where the fun begins! These are run just like a regular horse race when you go to the race track. People can place as many $2 wagers on as many horses as they want for each race. If their horse comes in first place, they win! Typically the organization splits the amount raised for each race either 50/50 or 60/40. A 60/40 split is common now and each winner wins typically anywhere from $4 to $12 if their horse comes in first. Sometimes even higher payouts are possible.
Auction Race
Traditionally, the last race of the evening is the auction race. Each of the horses names are auctioned off to the highest bidder and the highest bidder becomes the horse owner. Once all 10 horses are auctioned off, the amount is totaled and the pot is split - typically 50/50. The winning horse owner gets their share of the pot.
Don't forget, your guests will also wager on the horses for the auction race as well, so that's additional revenue for your organization, too.
Horse Owners
Selling the "naming rights" for each horse makes the races fun and exciting, and raises even more dollars for your organization. With the Ultimate Race Nights® rental DVD's, there are 10 horses per races and 12 races per disc, giving you up to 120 horse names to sell. Add to the excitement by awarding small prizes or trophies for the winning “owner.”
Jockey Names
If you find that you've sold all the horse names without trouble and feel you can easily sell the jockey names as well, do so! 10 jockeys per race, 12 races per event and you have 120 more ways of earning more money! $10 per jockey X 120 = $1,200. Charge $20 per jockey and you have another 120 X $20 = $2,400.
Stable Names
If you find the naming rights to the horses and jockeys sell out faster than a thoroughbred heading for the wire, then sell the naming rights to the stable! Just like that, you've potentially raised yet another $1200-$2400 depending on what you charge for the naming rights to the stable!
$10 per stable name x 120 = $1,200. Charge $20 per stable and you can double that amount.
Additional Ways to Enjoy and Earn!
Side Boards
Similar to the 50/50 raffle, side boards are rows of numbered tickets on a board that typically a person buys for $2, $3, $5 or $10 each. After the tickets have been sold, a winning number is picked and that person wins $50, $75, $125, $250 based on 50 tickets per side board. The more side board raffles sold, the more money your organization makes.
Basket Raffles
Many organizations will have a nice selection of donated items in Basket Raffles. People buy raffle tickets and place them in the basket of the donated item they would like to win. During the evening, the tickets are pulled and if your ticket is pulled, you win! Just like the 50/50's and the Side Boards, the more tickets sold, the more money you make. Since the items are usually donated, every ticket sold is money for your organization. No split, no fees, just pure profit!
50/50 Raffle
Couldn’t be easier. Sell tickets, pick a number, and split the pot with the winner 50/50. You can have fun with the ticket sales, too. Offer an “arm’s length” of tickets (about 25 tickets) for one price; or a “wingspan” for two arms!
