Gun Bingo can be a low-people-power way to have some fun, bring a crowd together and raise money for a good cause. And when it comes to Gun Bingo fundraisers, we know a thing or two because we’ve seen a thing or two.
If your nonprofit is considering hosting a Gun Bingo event, here are a few tips that can help make the night more entertaining and, most importantly, more profitable.
Start With the Right Mix of Bingo Games
There are plenty of ways to structure a bingo fundraiser, but knowing your audience matters.
If your crowd is made up of gun people, give them guns to play for.
A solid starting point is 10 games of bingo:
- 5 cash games with prizes of approximately $250–$300
- 4 gun or diamond games
- 1 gun AND diamond game
This mix gives gun enthusiasts something to get excited about while still offering prizes that appeal to people who may not be interested in firearms.
Add Gun Raffles During Breaks
Don’t limit your fundraising opportunities to bingo cards.
Many nonprofits have success taking three breaks throughout the evening and holding additional walk-around gun raffles. A simple schedule is to take breaks after the 3rd, 6th and 9th games.
These raffles create another opportunity to raise money without adding another full bingo game to the schedule.
Consider an 11th Bonus Game
For the bonus game, sell additional bingo cards specifically for that round and offer a 50/50 cash split as the prize.
It’s simple, it keeps people engaged and it can add a nice boost to the organization’s proceeds at the end of the night.
What Could the Full Night Look Like?
Here’s one way to put it all together:
- Game 1: Cash
- Game 2: Gun or diamond
- Game 3: Cash
- Break
- Game 4: Gun or diamond
- Game 5: Cash
- Game 6: Gun or diamond
- Break
- Game 7: Cash
- Game 8: Gun or diamond
- Game 9: Cash
- Break
- Game 10: Gun AND diamond
- Game 11: Bonus game. Sell additional cards for one final chance to win.
This structure keeps the night moving, spreads the bigger prizes throughout the event and gives you several opportunities to increase fundraising along the way.
Planning a Gun Bingo Fundraiser?
The right game structure can make a big difference in both attendance and fundraising results. River Valley Arms & Ammo can help nonprofits think through firearm prizes, event structure and firearm transfer requirements.
Always make sure your event complies with applicable Minnesota gambling, raffle and firearm laws before selling tickets or advertising prizes.