A trivia fundraiser works when the committee treats it as both an event and a fundraising model. The room can be full and still raise very little if ticket pricing is weak, costs are high or every add-on is donated away.

Start with the amount you want to raise, then build ticket sales, table packages, sponsors and optional add-ons around that target.

Eventbrite's current fundraising guidance recommends beginning with a clear fundraising goal and budget, then using ticket tiers, supporter packages and a strong event page to connect the event to the cause.¹

Start with a net fundraising target

Do not begin with “We hope 200 people come.”

Begin with:

We want this event to net $8,000 for the organization.

Then work backward.

Net proceeds = ticket/table revenue + sponsorships + donations + legal add-on revenue − event expenses

Possible expenses include venue, trivia host/provider, food, prizes, printing, ticketing fees, AV, decorations, insurance, payment processing and permits/licenses where applicable.

A full room is not the goal. Net proceeds plus a positive supporter experience is the goal.

Build a simple event budget first

Example:

Estimated net: $5,800.

These are example numbers only. Replace them with actual local costs before advertising a fundraising target.

Choose tables or individual tickets

Trivia naturally lends itself to team/table sales.

Table sales

Advantages:

• buyers understand the team structure immediately;
• one organizer can recruit an entire group;
• easier seating;
• predictable team sizes;
• useful sponsorship packages.

Example: table of 6 for $300 = $50 per person.

Individual tickets

Individual tickets make it easier for one person to attend and can fill unsold seats. The organizer then needs a process for combining attendees into teams.

Hybrid ticketing

Sell full tables first, then individual seats as the event approaches.

Eventbrite supports multiple ticket tiers and group/VIP packages for fundraising events.¹

Price from the goal—not from fear

Committees often underprice because they worry nobody will buy.

Instead:

Required ticket revenue = fundraising target + expected expenses − committed sponsorships − expected donations

If 120 sellable seats must produce $6,000 in ticket revenue:

$6,000 ÷ 120 = $50 average ticket revenue

That does not mean every ticket must be $50. Table packages, sponsor tables and early-bird tickets can create different prices while preserving the average.

Do not advertise tax deductibility casually. When attendees receive goods, services, admission or prizes, charitable-deduction rules can be more complicated than the ticket price itself.⁴

Tell people what the money supports

The event page should explain:

• the organization;
• what the funds support;
• date/time/location;
• ticket/table inclusions;
• team size;
• food/drink information;
• accessibility/contact information;
• refund/cancellation policy;
• sponsor recognition;
• whether add-ons such as raffles or auctions are planned.

Eventbrite recommends making the cause and use of funds clear on the event page.¹

Build sponsorship packages with useful benefits

Possible benefits:

• presenting sponsor recognition;
• logo on event page;
• logo on score sheets or table signs;
• sponsored round/category;
• team/table included;
• emcee recognition;
• social media mention;
• signage;
• post-event thank-you.

Keep sponsor exposure proportional. A trivia game becomes awkward when every question is interrupted by a sponsor message.

A practical structure:

Confirm with the nonprofit's tax/accounting adviser how sponsorship payments and benefits should be documented.

Ask for prize donations strategically

Prizes can consume cash that would otherwise become net proceeds.

Ask local businesses for gift cards, experiences, merchandise, restaurant certificates, event tickets or services.

Track donor name, item, stated value and promised recognition.

Be careful with raffles and games of chance

The National Council of Nonprofits warns that raffles, bingo and other games of chance are regulated and may require licenses, reporting, special accounts or other compliance depending on the state.² The IRS also says gaming by exempt organizations is generally regulated by state and local law and can have federal tax consequences.³

That means:

• do not assume a 50/50 raffle is automatically legal because the organizer is a nonprofit;
• do not assume donated prizes eliminate gaming rules;
• do not assume raffle-ticket purchases are charitable deductions;
• check state/local rules before selling chances.

IRS Publication 526 states that amounts paid for raffle, bingo or lottery tickets are not charitable contributions.⁴

Trivia itself can be run as a normal skill-based team competition, but any separate raffle, drawing or chance-based fundraiser should receive its own compliance review.

This guide is not legal or tax advice.

Auctions can raise money—but document them correctly

A silent auction can work well during a trivia break or before the game.

The National Council of Nonprofits notes that auction tax treatment can depend on fair market value and what the winning bidder receives.²

Operationally:

• label each item;
• show fair market value when appropriate;
• define bid increments;
• establish a close time;
• decide how winners pay;
• assign volunteers to checkout.

Do not run auction checkout at the exact same moment as final trivia scoring unless there are enough volunteers for both.

Use volunteers for specific jobs

“Everyone helps” is not a staffing plan.

Volunteers should receive one written run of show and one short briefing.

Keep the trivia simple enough for volunteers

A fundraiser usually has competing priorities: mission remarks, food, sponsors, auction checkout and prizes.

Use a scoring system volunteers can execute accurately. Straight points, fixed-value rounds and one simple final are often easier than a complex wagering system.

Put the cause into the program without stopping the game repeatedly

Good moments:

• opening welcome;
• one short mission story;
• midpoint sponsor/impact message;
• final thank-you;
• donation call to action.

Avoid a speech after every round.

Sample fundraiser run of show

Promote through people, not only posts

Use board members, volunteers, families, donors, alumni, local sponsors, staff and community partners.

Give each supporter a direct link and a simple message they can share.

Eventbrite's current fundraising tools emphasize ticket tiers, supporter packages, email and social sharing.¹

Track the numbers that matter

After the event, calculate:

• tickets/tables sold;
• attendance;
• no-show rate;
• gross revenue;
• sponsorship revenue;
• direct donations;
• raffle/auction revenue if legally used;
• expenses;
• net proceeds;
• net proceeds per attendee;
• new donors/supporters;
• sponsor renewals;
• volunteer feedback.

Also record donated in-kind value. A low cash expense may be hiding a large amount of donated value that may not exist next year.

Fundraiser checklist

• ☐ Net fundraising target set.
• ☐ Full budget built.
• ☐ Ticket/table strategy chosen.
• ☐ Capacity confirmed.
• ☐ Ticketing fees accounted for.
• ☐ Sponsor packages created.
• ☐ Prize donations requested.
• ☐ Raffle/auction compliance checked if applicable.
• ☐ Volunteer roles assigned.
• ☐ Trivia format tested.
• ☐ Mission messaging scheduled.
• ☐ Payment/check-in process tested.
• ☐ Accessibility/contact process published.
• ☐ Final run of show distributed.
• ☐ Post-event reconciliation owner assigned.
• ☐ Sponsors/donors thanked afterward.

Frequently asked questions

How much should a trivia fundraiser charge?

Work backward from the net goal, costs, expected sponsors and realistic capacity. There is no universal ticket price.

Is it better to sell tables or individual tickets?

Tables fit trivia naturally and simplify seating. Individual tickets make the event accessible to people without a prebuilt team. Many events use both.

Are raffle tickets tax deductible?

IRS guidance says amounts paid for raffle, bingo or lottery tickets are not charitable contributions.⁴

Can every nonprofit run a raffle?

No. State and local rules differ, and some jurisdictions require licensing or impose other restrictions.²³

Raise money without making the event feel like work

A strong trivia fundraiser gives supporters a fun night, a clear connection to the cause and an easy way to contribute.

Set the financial target first. Protect the guest experience. Keep volunteer jobs simple. Add sponsorship and legal add-ons carefully. Then measure net proceeds, not just how busy the room looked.

Return to How to Host a Trivia Night, use the Professional Trivia Night Run of Show, or calculate game size with How Many Questions Should a Trivia Night Have?.

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Sources

1. Eventbrite, Sell Fundraising Event Tickets Online, reviewed September 22, 2026.
2. National Council of Nonprofits, Games of Chance, Raffles, and Charity Auctions, reviewed September 22, 2026.
3. Internal Revenue Service, Exempt Organization Gaming and Unrelated Business Taxable Income, reviewed September 22, 2026.
4. Internal Revenue Service, Publication 526: Charitable Contributions, current 2025 publication reviewed September 22, 2026.