Everybody loves playing games of chance and winning prizes, so a Bingo fundraiser is an easy moneymaker. This fun event works well for schools, church groups, and nonprofit organizations.

Getting started

A bingo fundraiser is very easy to put together. All you need is a large room with lots of tables, bingo supplies, and a caller. Select a night, publicize your event, and you're in business.

You can purchase bingo supplies from party stores or you can make your own. Several websites offer printable call sheets and bingo cards in a variety of formats.

Select the game format you want (3x3, 4x4, 5x5) and print the quantity you'll need. For extra durability, laminate the playing squares.

The standard approach or the caller is to select a ping-pong ball from a large plastic tumbler. Again, you can make your own balls or buy them already made.

Bingo fundraising

There are many ways to raise money with bingo games. Just be sure that yours comply with local regulations regarding games of chance.

One common approach is to charge a small amount such as $1 per game or offer unlimited games for $20. Winners then select from a variety of small, non-cash prizes.

Another approach gives tickets to winners. Then winners can redeem winning tickets for different levels of prizes. In this format, single ticket winners select from one prize category while multiple game winners select from higher-value prizes.

A third approach is to raffle off prizes to all winners using a double ticket system. Each time someone wins a game, they get half of a ticket pair and the other half is placed in the raffle drawing. each winner is guaranteed a prize, but some prizes are worth much more than others.

Additional fundraisers

As with any fundraising event, you can also offer additional moneymakers. You can sell food and beverages or have donated items out on tables around the room available for silent auction bids.

You can also have your caller auction off donated products and services between games or simply have a donation jar at your signup table.

Publicity

You want to attract as many bingo players as possible, so you need to do more than put it in your newsletter or email your list. A great way to reach as many people as possible with minimum expense is putting out a press release.

Put together a one-page press release with a summary paragraph at the top explaining why you are raising funds and when and where your bingo event will be held. Provide the full who, what, when, where, why, and how in the body of your document, then distribute it to all the major media in your marketplace.

Summary

Everybody loves playing bingo and it's an easy fundraising event to coordinate. Get your supplies at a party store or make your own.

Line up a good location and publicize your event. Add in some extra fundraising activities for the night and have a great time at your bingo fundraiser!

Kimberly Reynolds writes for national publications about organizing a church fundraiser, having a bingo fundraiser event and charity fundraising. Find more school fund raisers on her website, FundraiserHelp.com