Anyone have experience creating a raffle for charity? I won a dream bike, yaaaaaay....

Hi gang, 

I won the Trans Cascadia dream bike raffle (Bronson CC, XTR, Chris King everything, Podium, Tenet kit, etc) and I can't in good conscience keep it. My local food pantries have been asking for donations to support families that go to our school and I'm hoping to raffle it off and have the proceeds go to them. Here's the thing: I have no idea how to create a raffle, and I'm wondering if you (YOU!) have experience with this sort of thing? I know I could probably just sell it and donate the proceeds, but guessing a well promoted raffle could generate more money than me just selling it with my extremely limited reach.

I'm in Portland, OR if that's helpful. I want to help people, and avoid any weird tax liability- in that order. 

Can anyone help? Would Vital be willing to promote a raffle if I can figure this out? Suggestions? 

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11/17/2025 5:51pm
Hi gang, I won the Trans Cascadia dream bike raffle (Bronson CC, XTR, Chris King everything, Podium, Tenet kit, etc) and I can't in good conscience keep...

Hi gang, 

I won the Trans Cascadia dream bike raffle (Bronson CC, XTR, Chris King everything, Podium, Tenet kit, etc) and I can't in good conscience keep it. My local food pantries have been asking for donations to support families that go to our school and I'm hoping to raffle it off and have the proceeds go to them. Here's the thing: I have no idea how to create a raffle, and I'm wondering if you (YOU!) have experience with this sort of thing? I know I could probably just sell it and donate the proceeds, but guessing a well promoted raffle could generate more money than me just selling it with my extremely limited reach.

I'm in Portland, OR if that's helpful. I want to help people, and avoid any weird tax liability- in that order. 

Can anyone help? Would Vital be willing to promote a raffle if I can figure this out? Suggestions? 

No guidance, but this is awesome. You’re a good human!

3
11/17/2025 6:07pm
Hi gang, I won the Trans Cascadia dream bike raffle (Bronson CC, XTR, Chris King everything, Podium, Tenet kit, etc) and I can't in good conscience keep...

Hi gang, 

I won the Trans Cascadia dream bike raffle (Bronson CC, XTR, Chris King everything, Podium, Tenet kit, etc) and I can't in good conscience keep it. My local food pantries have been asking for donations to support families that go to our school and I'm hoping to raffle it off and have the proceeds go to them. Here's the thing: I have no idea how to create a raffle, and I'm wondering if you (YOU!) have experience with this sort of thing? I know I could probably just sell it and donate the proceeds, but guessing a well promoted raffle could generate more money than me just selling it with my extremely limited reach.

I'm in Portland, OR if that's helpful. I want to help people, and avoid any weird tax liability- in that order. 

Can anyone help? Would Vital be willing to promote a raffle if I can figure this out? Suggestions? 

As far as i understand it raffle are considered similarly to gambling so every state have their own legal requirements and laws surrounding raffles. Your local food pantries might have done fund raising raffles before so they might have experience with all the legal requirement so might be worthwhile to ask them or if they are part of a larger coalition of food pantries their might be someone at the state level that can help you run it.

Quick google search brought up these:

https://www.doj.state.or.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/raffle_application.pdf

https://oregon.public.law/rules/oar_137-025-0290

https://donorbox.org/nonprofit-blog/raffle-laws

1
11/18/2025 6:23pm

Thanks guys, yeah- it's awesome, right? Sweet new bike! Damnit...

Anyhow, yeah- I'm reaching out to some local charities that have some experience with this. You hit the nail on the head with the laws, I'm extremely aware of liability and not running afoul of something that ends up with me owing money!

I'll keep updating this with progress, thanks!

2

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