Can I do my own fundraising?

Absolutely — we just ask that you contact us ahead of time (ideally at least 3 months before your event). Fundraising connected to a nonprofit can involve state-specific regulations, and certain activities may require permits, registrations, specific disclosures, or other steps that take time (and sometimes cost) to complete.

Before choosing your fundraiser format, here are a few important things to keep in mind:

• Games of chance are heavily regulated. Activities like raffles, bingo, casino nights, drawings, or anything where winners are selected by chance often have strict rules that vary by state (and sometimes by city/county).

• Permits and timelines can be real. Some events require advance approvals, and waiting until the last minute can limit what you’re allowed to do.

• How you describe the fundraiser matters. Certain wording (e.g., “raffle”) can trigger legal requirements; proper disclosures may be needed on flyers, tickets, and online posts.

• Handling money and prizes needs a plan. Regulations can affect how funds are collected, how winners are chosen, prize values, record keeping, and where proceeds must go.

• Online + multi-state promotion can add complexity. If you promote or sell entries across state lines, requirements can change quickly depending on where donors/participants are located.

There are also plenty of “safer” fundraising activities that are often easier to run across the country—like silent auctions and certain sweepstakes-style promotions—without the heavier compliance burden that comes with games of chance.

But don’t worry—this is exactly what our team is here for. We’ll work with you 1:1 to help you choose an event format and structure it in a way that aligns with your state’s regulations. Please email Dr. Parkins at [email protected] or book time on his calendar here to discuss your upcoming event.