Frequently Asked Questions

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What is the SF Greater Bay Area Dream Home Raffle?

The Raffle is a fundraiser sponsored by Grants for Good Foundation (GFGF) to benefit nonprofit charitable organizations in the 10-county Greater San Francisco Bay Area serving children, teens, the homeless, and the elderly.

Who benefits from the 2010 SF Greater Bay Area Dream Home Raffle?

Your entry benefits thousands of children, at-risk teens, the homeless and the elderly who are served by Grants for Good Foundation’s Community Partners. These organizations will receive a portion of the funds raised by the Raffle as grants to support their ongoing programs.

What is Grants for Good Foundation?

GFGF is a California 501(c)(3) public charity founded in 2008 with a mission to support nonprofit organizations that serve its three charitable sectors – children, at-risk teens, the homeless and the elderly. Through a unique collaborative fundraising model, GFGF raises funds through fundraising campaigns. The 2010 SF Greater Bay Area Dream Home Raffle is one such campaign.

How were GFGF’s Community Partners selected?

After a rigorous screening process, beneficiaries were selected by GFGF. Each Community Partner is a substantial organization with a supportive board, staff and volunteer bases that deliver their programs to people in neighborhoods and communities throughout the Greater SF Bay Area.

What percentage of Raffle revenues is actually granted to Community Partners?

After GFGF’s administrative retention, the remaining net Raffle proceeds are granted to our Community Partners for programs they deliver to their constituents.

Can Community Partners use grant money for non-program-related overhead, salaries and the like?

GFGF does not permit the funds it grants to pay for non-program-administrative or overhead expenses. GFGF requires separate fund accounting and semi-annual reporting, and conducts periodic site visits and program oversight.

The Raffle

Why is this Raffle different from previous California home raffles?

The 2010 SF Greater Bay Area Dream Home Raffle benefits community programs run by Bay Area charities from throughout the 10-County Greater Bay Area that touch thousands of lives. This Raffle offers the Grand Prize winner his or her choice of any $1.5 million+ luxury home in the greater SF Bay Area as opposed to a fixed grand prize home in a certain community, plus up to $1 million cash making a total prize of $2.5 million. In addition, this Raffle offers the greatest chance of winning a prize of any previous California home raffle – 1 in 75. Some drawings offer a very high 1 in 20 chance of winning. Finally, more cash prizes than ever before (by number of total prizes) are expected to be awarded, depending on the total number of Raffle tickets sold.

What are the Prizes awarded in the Raffle?

Grand Prize Drawing: The total value $2.5 million Dream Home of choice, or $1,750,000 cash 2nd Prize: $25,000, 3rd Prize: $10,000, 4th Prize: $5,000, 5th Prize: $2,000, Prizes 6-10: $1,000 each
Prizes 11-15: $500 each Prizes 16-534 (estimate): $300 each. Note: $300 cash prizes will be awarded based on the total number of tickets sold in sufficient number to ensure that an entrant’s chance of winning any prize in the Raffle Grand Prize Drawing shall be at least 1 in 75.  Grand prize entry deadline: May 5, 2011
Grand Prize Drawing date: May 20, 2011 Early Bird Drawings: Five Prizes per Drawing.

First 2700 Early Bird Drawing: 1st Prize is a Luxury Vacation to Paris, France or $25,000 cash! 2nd through 5th Prizes are $5,000, $1,000, $1,000, $1,000.  Drawing date: As announced by the Sponsor at any time during the Raffle and when 2700 Raffle tickets are sold.  Drawing date: October 10, 2009

Early Bird Drawing No. 2: 1st Prize is Winner’s choice of any luxury car listed for up to $30,000, or $25,000 cash. 2nd through 5th Prizes are $5,000, $1,000, $1,000 and $1,000
Entry deadline: November 28, 2010. Drawing date December 23, 2010.

Early Bird Drawing No. 3: 1st Prize is a Luxury Vacation to Beijing, China or $25,000 cash! 2nd through 5th Prizes are $5,000, $1,000, $1,000 and $1,000.
Entry deadline: January 25, 2011. Drawing date February 18, 2011.

Early Bird Drawing No. 4: 1st Prize is unlimited jet travel for two anywhere in the world worth up to $30,000 at retail, or $25,000 cash.. 2nd through 5th Prizes are $5,000, $1,000, $1,000 and $1,000. Entry deadline: March 15, 2011. Drawing date: March 31, 2011.

Bonus Drawings:
Multiple Ticket Drawing (MTD): 1st Prize: $25,000 cash 1st Prize: $25,000 cash, 2nd Prize: $10,000 cash, 3rd Prize: $5,000 cash. Entry deadline: May 5, 2011. Drawing date: May 20, 2011

MTD Top-20/50% Bonus Drawing(s): Top-20-individuals buying the most tickets are entered in this special drawing where the odds of winning are 1 in 20. Prize: 50% of total proceeds received from the tickets purchased by the Top-20 ticket purchasers. Entry deadline May 5, 2011. Drawing date: May 20, 2011.

Refer-A-Friend Drawing: Prize: $20,000. Entry deadline May 5, 2011. Drawing date: May 20, 2011

RAF Top-20/50% Bonus Drawing(s): Prize: 50% of total proceeds received from Top-20 referred friends’ combined ticket purchases. Entry deadline May 5, 2011. Drawing date: May 20, 2011

What is the Refer-A-Friend Drawing?

For every ticket bought by a referred friend, you will get one entry in the Refer-a-Friend drawing as a reward for referring that friend. If you refer two friends, you receive two RAF entries, and so on. Either the main purchaser of a ticket or anyone else named on a ticket is considered eligible as a “referring friend”. The twenty Raffle entrants who refer the most friends who buy tickets will be entered in a separate Top 20 RAF Bonus 50% drawing that pays 50% of the total net proceeds derived from the limited pool of ticket purchases by friends of those Top 20 referrers. If there is a tie, separate pro-rata Bonus drawings will be conducted so that the top referrers have an effective 1 in 20 chance to win that drawing. Refer a friend now: Email Raffle Info to a Friend

How does the Multiple Ticket Drawing work?

For every ticket purchased after your first one, you will have an extra ticket placed for you in a Special Multiple Ticket Drawing to be conducted at the time of the Grand Prize drawings on May 20, 2011. For example, if you buy three tickets, you would get two tickets in the Special Multiple Ticket Drawing. Entry in this drawing is automatic, and you will not receive any extra confirmation.

How much money does GFGF raise by raffling the 2010 Dream Home?

That depends on how many tickets we sell, but our goal is to raise over $1 million to distribute as grants to our Community Partners whose names and charitable works are listed on our website.

What happens if the Raffle doesn’t sell enough tickets?

The rules state that if we sell fewer than 37,000 tickets, the Grand Prize winner receives one half the proceeds of the Raffle after expenses have been paid. For example, if the net proceeds after the expense of conducting the Raffle are $2,000,000, the Grand Prize winner would receive $1,000,000.

Buying Tickets

Who can purchase a Raffle ticket?

Anyone 18 years of age or older who is not prohibited from purchasing a Raffle ticket by country, state or local laws in the jurisdiction of his/her residence, may purchase a ticket. Tickets can only be purchased in the name of individuals (not businesses). GFGF employees, members of the Board of Directors, and their spouses and children living in the same household, are excluded from participating and are not eligible to win a prize. All federal, state, and local laws and regulations apply. The Raffle is void where prohibited or restricted by law. An affidavit of eligibility will be required from prize winners.

Can I go in with friends or family to buy a ticket?

Yes, up to three people may buy a ticket together and have their names on the ticket. Any number of people can chip in together to buy a ticket, but only three can be listed.

Can I give the ticket to a friend as a gift?

Yes, you may buy the ticket as a gift, but make sure that person's name and contact information are listed on your entry form.

Is my Raffle ticket purchase tax-deductible?

Even though the Raffle benefits GFGF, which is a nonprofit organization, the law does not allow you to take a tax deduction for the cost of Raffle tickets because purchasers receive valuable consideration in the form of a chance to win valuable prizes. Deductions to charities without receiving something in return are tax-deductible.

Are there discounts if I buy more than one ticket?

Yes. Discounted packages of two tickets cost $280.00; three tickets cost $405.00; four tickets cost $520.00; five tickets cost $625.00, 10 tickets cost $1,200, 20 tickets cost $2,300 and 30 tickets cost $3,300. All tickets bought as part of these special discounted packages of 1-5, 10, 20 and 30 tickets) must be purchased at the same time and use the same name or up to 3 separate names. This offer is good for a limited time. If you buy more than one ticket you will also be entered into special Multiple Ticket Drawings.

Can my company or business buy tickets?

Your company or business may purchase tickets, but the Raffle laws require that all tickets must be in the name of individuals. They cannot be bought in the name of the company and one, two or three individuals’ names must be listed on each ticket.

Can I buy my Raffle ticket with a credit card or ATM debit cards?

Yes, we accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express credit cards, as well as ATM debit cards. You may also pay by check.

Can I buy my Raffle ticket online?

California law does not allow us to sell tickets on the internet. You may download the entry form from our website and fax or mail it to our office along with your payment, or you can call and we will take your order by phone.

If I buy a ticket and decide I don't want to be in the drawing, can I get a refund?

Sorry, but once payment has been received, all ticket sales are final.

Winning Prizes

What are my chances of winning the house? What are my chances of winning any prize?

Your chances of winning any prize are at least 1 in 75. We anticipate awarding several hundred prizes in all. If we sell all 40,000 tickets, at least 550 prizes will be awarded, your chance of winning at least a $300 prize will be 1 in 75, your chance of winning one of the Bonus drawings (if qualified) will be 1 in 20, and your chance of winning the Dream Home will be 1 in 40,000.

Where is the house? Can I go see it?

The houses that the Grand Prize winner receives are chosen by the winner from any available MLS listings in the 10-county SF Greater Bay Area, including Santa Cruz County, restricted to listings in which McGuire Real Estate is permitted to act as Buyer or Seller’s agent in the transaction. The Raffle Sponsor is unaware of any properties currently listed where McGuire Real Estate is not permitted to act as agent. Out of respect for the privacy of the owners, possible dream houses cannot be toured in advance of the Winner’s prize selection. Photos of the universe of potential grand prize homes are available on Search your dream home

If I win, can I take cash instead of the house?

Yes. The Grand Prize winner may choose either the total value house and cash total value worth up to $2.5 million, or elect to accept the $1.75 million cash alternate Grand Prize. The Grand Prize is awardable if 37,000 or more tickets are sold, according to the Raffle Rules.

What other prizes besides the house are you giving away?

There are lots of prizes, including unlimited air travel up to $30,000 in value, luxury trips to Paris and Beijing, tens of thousands of dollars in Multi-Ticket and Refer-A-Friend drawing and related Bonus drawings, and additional cash prizes in Early Bird drawings and Bonus drawings. For a complete list of prizes, visit the Prizes section of this Website.

If my name is drawn and I win a prize in the Early Bird Drawing, do I have to buy another ticket to be eligible for the Grand Prize Drawing?

No. Although you are eligible to win only one prize at each separate drawing If your name is chosen and you win one of the Early Bird prizes, your name goes back into the Raffle bin and you are still eligible to win the Grand Prize as well as all subsequent Early Bird, MTD, RAF and Bonus drawings prizes.

Do I have to be present to win?

No, you're welcome to attend the Early Bird and Grand Prize Drawings, but you don't need to be present to win. We will notify all prize winners.

Legal and Tax Considerations

If I win the house, do I have to pay taxes on it?

Yes, if you win the Grand Prize(home plus cash) and decide to take the house, you are required to pay all closing costs including property taxes and insurance, title insurance, etc. Grants for Good Foundation as Raffle sponsor is also required to collect approximately 25% of the dream home’s value and pay it over on your behalf to the IRS. You may be able to pay the taxes by using a portion of the $1,000,000 cash portion of the Grand Prize or through a home loan. However, whether you can qualify for a loan depends on your own financial circumstances. Consult your own tax or legal adviser for further information.

If I win the Grand Prize and decide to take the money instead, do I have to pay taxes?

Yes, the law requires GFGF to report all prizes of $600 or more. We MUST withhold approximately 25% of any cash award of $5,000 or more, and report that to the State and to the IRS. Please consult with your tax advisor.

If I win other cash prizes, do you withhold taxes and report my winning to the state and IRS?

Yes. The law requires GFGF to report all prizes valued at $600 or more and withhold taxes on all prizes of $5,000 and above.

This Raffle seems like gambling. Is it legal?

The Raffle is entirely legal, and GFGF is registered with the California Attorney General to conduct this chartable raffle. The State Constitution was amended on January 1, 2002 to allow nonprofit organizations to conduct charitable raffles to raise funds.

Where can I see all the rules of the Raffle?

The official rules are posted on this website under “Rules”. The official Rules govern all aspects of the Raffle.

Important Dates

When is the deadline for buying a ticket?

The last day you can purchase a ticket is May 5, 2011. The deadline, however, may be extended, or shortened, by GFGF.

When is the Grand Prize Drawing? Where will it be? Can I attend?

Grand Prize Drawings will be held May 20, 2011. All ticket buyers are welcome and encouraged to attend. The location(s) of the Early Bird and Grand Prize Drawings will be posted on the website when they are finalized.

When will the prizes be awarded? How long do I have to wait until I receive my prize?

The Grand Prize and all cash prizes will be awarded within 60 days of the final drawing.

Can I see the names of prize winners?

Yes, names of all prize winners will be posted on this page of the website.