How Habitat for Humanity Okanagan builds their raffle program for success

Imagine building a raffle program that keeps people talking long after the winner is drawn—a raffle that doesn't just raise funds but also strengthens the community.

That's exactly what Habitat for Humanity Okanagan is doing with their creative and award-winning raffle program.

Since their first online raffle with Rafflebox in 2022, they've expanded to both online and in-person sales by 2024.

In December 2024, they hit their largest 50/50 jackpot yet.

That is the power of effective branding in raffle programs.

Effective branding is the secret sauce for long-term success, setting apart those raffles that create serious FOMO from the ones that quickly fizzle out.

Here's how they’re doing it:

TIP 1: Leverage your well-known identity

Think of your raffle program standing out at every event.

That’s what Habitat for Humanity Okanagan achieves by working their brand magic.

By sticking to their brand guidelines, they've crafted a raffle identity that perfectly captures their mission and draws in supporters.

With the catchy slogan "You Win We Build" and the iconic home in the palm of a hand design element, their presence is unforgettable at events across Kelowna.

Think guerrilla marketing that spreads their brand far and wide, rallying a community around their raffle in unexpected places.

Not only are they raising funds for the jackpot, but they're also building strong, lasting relationships with their supporters, raffle after raffle.

TIP 2: Consistency over complexity

Picture an event where every interaction counts.

Habitat for Humanity Okanagan shows the power of sticking to a simple yet effective message, ensuring both raffle supporters and volunteers are always on the same page.

Their strategy? Using candy as a conversation starter (who doesn't love a good sugar rush? 🍭🍬)

As people flock to the sweets, volunteers deliver the same key message: "Our last winner took home over $80,000 – what would you do with that kind of cash?"

This consistent approach turns casual conversations into ticket sales.
Plus, when using Rafflebox for in-person sales, your volunteers will breeze through our user-friendly devices, giving them more time to connect with supporters.

And the signage? It reinforces the same message, driving the point home.

Tell them once, tell them twice, and keep on telling them.

TIP 3: Building a unique program structure

Building a unique program structure can be challenging, but it's key to standing out.

Habitat for Humanity Okanagan has perfected this art through continuous trial and error, learning, and refining.

They emphasize reporting, analytics, and insights to understand their supporters. With access to all their raffle information through the Rafflebox Dashboard, they seamlessly integrate this data into their donor CRM, guiding their fundraising decisions.

And in return, they are building strong relationships with their raffle supporters which keeps them coming back for more.
This commitment to evolution and adaptability helps them achieve their mission of making affordable housing a reality.

As Danielle, Director of Resource Development at Habitat for Humanity Okanagan, puts it: "At the end of the day, it is about the bigger picture – because we know that one raffle ticket results in a child in a warm, safe home."

TIP 4: Get your community involved

Engage your community to turn your raffle into something they want to be part of.

Habitat for Humanity Okanagan has built a dream team of dedicated volunteers and key community partnerships, creating a strong support system for their raffles.

Through valuable media partnerships, they connect with a larger audience and share their consistent message.

By uniting forces, they’ve sparked a chain reaction of support and engagement, proving that a community-driven approach is the way to go.

By tapping into the strength of a recognizable brand, sticking to a consistent message, and developing a unique program identity, Habitat for Humanity Okanagan has set the stage for raffle success.

Their method highlights the importance of community, trust, and ongoing innovation.

So why not sprinkle some of these tips into your own raffle program? You might just see a boost in engagement and, who knows, maybe even a bigger jackpot!