Fundraiser question

[johnnydrama]

Not sure where to post this, Home Poker seemed most likely place.

This may seem kind of an odd question. Guy at work is running a “benefit” poker game for his kid’s baseball league.

Since this is not a charity benefit, I was wondering if there is a standard cut I should expect. In other words, is it common to see 50% on the buy-in going to the kids and 50% to the prize pool? What would you consider excessive? 75/25, 60/40, 50/50?

Thanks!

[whisker]

I'd be interested in any one else's experience around this as well. I am discussing doing this as a fundraiser as well. I penciled out what it would cost to run, food costs based on previous fundraisers for this organization and then money for renting dealers and equipment. But I am still having a hard time deciding how the remainder would be split between the charity and the prizes.

We have solicited merchandise/certificates from local merchants for previous fundraisers, and are considering doing that for this one. The donated gifts would become the tourney prizes and the remaining cash goes towards the charity.

Good Luck

[Lottery Larry]

I can't add to it, because I might have to look into it myself.

The first priority is checking with local and state laws, which may define "charity tournament" for you (and limit your options).

[Headhunter13]

Definitely check with local and state laws to make sure you're doing everything legal. I help a few charities run poker tournaments as fundraisers. Typical cut is 50% of buy-in to charity, 50% to prize pool. Expenses can either come off the top, or the charity can be responsible for the expenses (the ones I run typically have the expenses come out of the charity's portion).

If you're looking to run it, I would suggest a rebuy format ( rebuy/add-on money also being split 50-50). Once the players get there, they tend to want to keep playing. Either they're having fun, or "it's for a good cause."

Let me know if you have any other questions.

--Headhunter

[pismeyer]

I am very interested in the outcome of this post as well. My son's high school football team booster club is always looking for ways to raise money.

In our situation no one under 18 would be allowed to play in the tournament which is a shame, because all of my son's high school friends play Hold'em all the time.

I'm pretty sure we could get away with having a tournament as an "Invite only" event. With each "invitee" bringing atleast one other person to the event. For a fundraiser type of tournament, what would be the price to charge?

$50 per seat with add-ons and unlimited rebuys for the first hour?

If our booster club was hosting the event, I would not hire dealers, would this be a smart move?

Interesting thread with lots of questions to be answered.

P [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[snoopdawg]

I've played in two fundraiser events for baseball teams in the area. One was $50 and it was 50/50 charity/prize. The other was $30 with 90 minutes of $30 rebuys with a $20 add-on at the end of 90, in this all of the initial $30 went to the prize pool and 100% of the rebuy/AO money was for charity. The 2nd one was more favored and raised a lot more money.

[Headhunter13]

Pismeyer --
One thing I would wonder about in your situation is the attitude of the school and community. Like it or not, poker is still considered gambling, and looked down upon by many sectors in our community. Even those who accept it, believe it should be an "adult" event, and may not like it on school grounds, or involving students.

I've run them for our local hospital and Jewish Community Center. In both cases we put an age restriction of 21, even though our state has no minimum age (must be 21 to play the lottery, but a 3 year old can play a poker tournament).

However, when I was approached by the athletic boosters club from a couple different schools, the schools/PTA both nixed the idea.

Just make sure you get consensus from all areas of the community.

--Headhunter.

[pismeyer]

[ QUOTE ]
Pismeyer --
One thing I would wonder about in your situation is the attitude of the school and community. Like it or not, poker is still considered gambling, and looked down upon by many sectors in our community. Even those who accept it, believe it should be an "adult" event, and may not like it on school grounds, or involving students.

I've run them for our local hospital and Jewish Community Center. In both cases we put an age restriction of 21, even though our state has no minimum age (must be 21 to play the lottery, but a 3 year old can play a poker tournament).

However, when I was approached by the athletic boosters club from a couple different schools, the schools/PTA both nixed the idea.

Just make sure you get consensus from all areas of the community.

--Headhunter.

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree with you completely. I'm pretty sure our booster club would have to do this "under the radar". I'm not sure how to accomplish this though. And yes, the actual gambling would be for anyone over the age of 18. Our local laws permit 18 year olds to play cards in casinos.

I know it would raise alot of money for the booster club but getting it done with out the local school district knowing might be a tough task.

P

[HRFats]

I am hosting a fundraiser in Colorado for a taekwondo school parent organization (we are a 501(c)3 corp). Colorado law states that either all of the buy-in must be paid out or none of the buy-in can be paid out and that no prizes can be distributed based on the outcome of the event.

Therefore, every participant is making a charitable donation of $30 to play with $30 re-buys for the first hour. Every participant must be 18 or older. We will be giving away door prizes and every participant will have equal chances of winning a door prize regardless of how well they play in the tournament and regardless of the number of rebuys.

It severely limits the number of people willing to play. Most of the guys from my home game balked at first. I was finally able to get a few of them to sign up by using a guilt trip - something like "come on guys, I spend alot of time and money hosting our regular game, we use my chips, my tables and my house and I never ask for anything in return. Well, now I'm asking you to donate just $30 and play in a charity event instead of our regular game. Don't worry, this is just a once a year deal." That got a few players and a few who just donated.

The event is scheduled for Feb 24th. I'll let you know how it works out.