Rotary raffle seeks to assist not-for-profits

THE Rotary Club of Ballarat South’s Community Assistance Raffle is back this summer and it’s seeking to help not-for-profit clubs and organisations fund grassroots projects.

With a $35,900 Honda CR-V, including on-road costs, or a $1000 Bunnings voucher up for grabs, sales will start on Saturday, 17 December.

Community Assistance Raffle chair Maree Roache said Rotarians are seeking beneficiary groups to sell tickets.

“Our club does all the organisation, buying the licence and the prizes, distributing the tickets, and drawing the raffle,” she said.

“We give not-for-profit organisations the right to sell the tickets, and for each $2 ticket they sell, they get to keep 80 per cent, or $1.60,” she said.

“Clubs might need to refit their hall, provide new equipment for their players, install a barbecue… If they identify a project they need to fund, they can take the tickets, abide by the rules, and sell them.

“Twenty per cent of each ticket sale is returned to RCBS to help us defray the costs of running the raffle. Our club doesn’t make any money out of this, and it usually costs us about $20,000 a year.”

Ms Roache said the last raffle from 2019 to 2020 raised $175,000 for the organisations involved.

“We’re encouraging as many clubs as possible to get involved after the lockdowns as it has been hard to start fundraisers again,” Ms Roach said.

“Here’s one ready to go for you. The bulk of organisation and financial risk is taken on board by the Rotary Club of Ballarat South, and this is part of our community service.

“It’s a hand up, not a handout. The harder you work, the more you will make.”

Visit rcbs.org.au/community-raffle for more information or contact 0475 903 854 to express interest in selling tickets for your organisation or group.

Tickets will be issued in the second week of December. The raffle will run until Sunday, 7 May.