Fundable.Org

The concept of bingo—a game of chance using randomly drawn numbers—has been around since the 1500s. And it remains a popular game today for people of all ages. So why not hold a bingo fundraiser.  It’s an easy, fun and profitable way to raise revenue for your nonprofit, school or church. It just takes a little planning.

Let’s look at the keys ingredients.

State Licensing?
First, check with your state’s gambling division to see what if any licensing laws apply.

Many states have “Bingo Acts” or “Bingo Laws” that require any group holding a bingo game to purchase a license. License fees usually start at $100.

Each state will have specific rules for operation. In Pennsylvania, for example, the rules (among others) say that:

Prizes awarded shall not exceed a value of $250 for any one game of bingo, except for jackpot games which shall not exceed a value of $2,000 for one such game.

Attendance
Once you know the limits of bingo fundraising in your state, estimate the number of players you think would attend. Successful bingo fundraisers will have from 100 to 300 people.

Having an attendance estimate, you’ll know how many supplies (and the cost) you’ll need, where to hold the event, and the prize payout.

Venue
Find a centrally located venue with a large room and plenty of tables and chairs. School gyms, churches and senior centers make excellent locations. Events last from 3 to 5 hours.

Supplies
Bingo cards are usually pre-printed 5x5 sheets (5 across, 5 down) with B-I-N-G-O labeled across the top and numbers from 1 to 75 in each square. The center square is usually a “FREE” square.

The sheets are sold in a variety of ways such as 450, 20-sheet “books”, for $30. More on this in a bit.

For players to mark the sheets as the numbers are called, you’ll need daubers or markers.

You’ll need numbered bingo balls—usually ping pong balls—and a way to shuffle them such as a ball roller.

All of these items can be purchased from on-line bingo wholesalers or can be made by someone handy on your team.

Publicity
Send out a press release to all the local media—TV, radio, and newspaper. Post flyers at churches, libraries, and other community locations.

Have your volunteer team spread the word to friends, family, neighbors, co-workers and by using social media like Facebook.

Donations
Rather than give out entirely cash awards, combine cash with prizes. Solicit local businesses for donations for prizes: tickets to events, dinners, electronics, spa days, etc.

Games and Prize Payout
Decide how many games you’ll have. A good rule of thumb is between 20 and 30 games.

Sell your bingo books of 20 games for $20. For those that want to increase their chances of winning, sell additional books for $5 each.  If you have 100 attendees that’s $2,000.

Decide what the payout will be for each game. You’ll want to have a few special games like a jackpot where the payout is higher. Hand out the payout and prize list with each bingo book sold.

Other games to consider are “early bird” games run before the regular games. These are faster and have smaller payouts.

And Finally…
You’ll need the bingo caller—the person who calls out the numbers. Find a local celebrity if you can, someone energetic, witty and with a pleasant voice. Try a radio personality or TV newscaster.

Additional Revenue Ideas
Have your friendliest volunteer go around to the tables and sell raffle tickets. You can have a “50/50” raffle where have the proceeds go to the winner. Or raffle off some of the donations you collected before the event. 

Your bingo players will be there for hours so sell refreshments like coke, hotdogs and hamburgers. Keep the prices low and you’ll sell more and keep the attendees playing happy. This idea was suggested by someone in a Charlotte assisted living facility.