Set up your own Wheel Of Prizes fundraiser.

Wheel Of Prizes

Spin The Wheel

Much like the celebrated Wheel Of Fortune or Price Is Right on television, you too can have great fun with your own Wheel Of Prizes. It's probably not advisable though to give away a car or $25,000 to get people to play.

The Wheel Of Prizes is not to be confused with any gambling type activities. Make sure it is carnival-like and family oriented in appearance and action. If you are a community group, you do not want to appear to advocate gambling of any kind.

What You Need

The hardest part about the whole set up is to create "the wheel". Obtain the very best carpenter and iron worker (or welder) and make sure that you have a very sophisticated looking wheel.

You should be sure, to the best of your knowledge, that it is able to freely move with no trick attachments or restraints. Have members of your audience to inspect your wheel regularly to reassure your visitors that you are above board in what you are doing.

Get Approval

Make sure that you are in compliance with your state regulators and that this does not fall in the "games of chance" categories.

When in doubt, check with your state Charity Officials or Attorney General's Office for proper clearance. Make sure you get this clearance in writing and have it on hand to prevent any misunderstandings.

What To Charge

Much like a raffle, someone makes a donation for the right to gain one of the prizes that you are offering. This could be $1 or $2, but should not be any more significant than this.

A one dollar donation will allow you to give something of small value. Go to the Dollar Store or Everything Under $1.00 store and get small items that you can give away on the spot.

The Wheel Slot Prizes

Make your wheel slots very enticing and fun. Have half of the slots with "Thank You For Your Contribution" on them or at least a third.

Also, have a few "Try Again" and "Double Next Spin" on your wheel. Never put any negatives like "You Lose" or "Bankrupt" on your wheel. Remember, your group is a worthy cause and with every donation, everybody wins.

Then have at least a third of the wheel slots with a picture of the item you are giving away or maybe the actual item if you have a way of attaching it.

Your prizes may be household items, cooking utensils, CD's if you are a radio station, camping items if you are a scout group, garden supplies and tools and other small items under $1 or $2.

What about a free "kiss" (from your local celebrity), free dinner with the Mayor, or free carwash that you picked up from local businesses for free. A free frenchfry or dinner plate at a local restaurant would be great.

For 50 cents to $1 you could have one set up to give away pastries, cokes, cup cakes, etc. Call it the Wheel Of Pastries or Wheel Of Treats.

Get a bunch of Freebies for your wheel at Freebie Force.

Be Creative

Make sure you have a host that is

dressed up in costume or other

hilarious outfit. This will not only

attract attention, but will make it

fun for everyone.

Be sure to put back drops or props to add to the drama. Certainly make sure that the wheel and the wheel slots are very colorful and color coordinated.

Now all you have to do is place your wheel where you will receive a good bit of traffic. Shopping malls, fairs, and outdoor events are sure to draw a crowd and probably a line of people waiting to participate.

A radio station that has a portable booth conducting a live advertising event at a customer location or is at an outdoor event may allow you to put up your wheel right next to them and even announce you and your winners as they occur throughout the day.

Make sure that you have an announcer to spread the news about your group as people wait in line. Have "Assistants" give out pamphlets to participants and sign up everybody to your newsletter.

Now that you're ready. Go out and spin the Wheel Of Profits.